Local disabled people still “Polls Apart” when it comes to voting

Press Releases / April 7, 2010 / 1074Comment nowhttp://grahamemorris.com/2010/04/local-disabled-people-still-%e2%80%9cpolls-apart%e2%80%9d-when-it-comes-to-voting/Local+disabled+people+still+%E2%80%9CPolls+Apart%E2%80%9D+when+it+comes+to+voting2010-04-07+15%3A09%3A11grahame

Voting is a right that many of us probably take for granted – but for thousands of disabled people that is not the case and they are denied the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

Disabled people still face discrimination when it comes to voting because of a number of different access barriers.  These can include polling stations without ramps for wheelchair users or voting information which is not available in alternative formats such as Braille.     

That’s why local Labour Parliamentary Candidate Grahame Morris is supporting disability charity Scope’s Polls Apart campaign in the run-up to the General Election.

Polls Apart is a campaign to ensure that disabled people have the same access to voting as everyone else.

Grahame Morris is calling on Durham County Council to ensure that all local polling stations are fully accessible to disabled people. This could include changes such as installing temporary ramps or ensuring that polling station staff have disability equality training.

He will also be taking part in a survey of local polling stations produced by Scope on polling day looking at access.

Horden Labour Councillor Dennis Maddison, who’s wife is disabled, said

“Polling stations can be completely inaccessible to the disabled.

“Voting is our democratic right. I hope that others will join our Parliamentary Candidate in completing this survey to change things for the better and open up voting to more disabled people.”

Grahame Morris said:

“In a modern democracy it is simply not acceptable that so many disabled people are still denied the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.  I believe that over ninety percent of our polling stations are wheelchair accessible and we have a considerable number of postal voters.

“Notwithstanding, I hope as many people as possible will take part in this survey to raise awareness about this issue. Disabled people must be treated equally and fairly when it comes to voting.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• To learn more about the Polls Apart campaign and also download a copy of the survey go to www.pollsapart.org.uk