Every vote counts: United Response launches campaign to engage people with learning disabilities in the democratic proces
United Response, the charity creating opportunities with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs, has launched a campaign to make the democratic process more accessible to the thousands of people with learning disabilities in England who are missing out on the opportunity to vote.
The campaign will be funded by the Electoral Commission, under its programme to encourage greater participation among disabled people.
In the 2001 General Election only 31% of people with learning disabilities voted compared with a national turnout of 59%. Every Vote Counts is a three year campaign to increase the number of people with learning disabilities that are registered to vote and help them have more of a say in the political decisions that affect their lives.
During the first year of the campaign, United Response will consult with other organisations and people supported by the charity, to create a resource to help people with learning disabilities better understand how politics affects their everyday lives, the reasons for voting and how to engage in the democratic process.
United Response will then disseminate the information, providing training for its staff so they can support people to become more actively involved. It will also offer training to organisations and groups involved in the electoral and democratic process on how to make information about policies and candidates more accessible to people with learning disabilities.
For more information email info@unitedresponse.org.uk
