1. Martha Stickings Brussels, 5 February 2019
Challenges and obstacles to the right to vote of people with disabilities
Martha Stickings
Brussels, 5 February 2019

2. Interested in politics = represented in elected bodies?
Respondents with disabilities more interested in politics than general population
Membership in political parties varies greatly depending on political traditions and social contexts
Lack of comparative, reliable data

3. - DPO involvement - Material environment - Education LEGAL BARRIERS
Key challenges
LEGAL BARRIERS
- Legal capacity
- Access to redress
AWARENESS-RAISING
- Education
- Capacity building
CIVIC PARTICIPATION
- DPO involvement
- Participation in civil society
ACCESSIBILITY
- Material environment
- Information

4. LEGAL BARRIERS AWARENESS-RAISING CIVIC PARTICIPATION ACCESSIBILITY
What should be done?
LEGAL BARRIERS
Amend legislation depriving people of the right to vote based on a disability
AWARENESS-RAISING
Ensure election authorities and officials receive comprehensive training on non-discrimination, accessibility and reasonable accommodation
CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Closely engage persons with disabilities, including through their representative organisations, in decision-making processes
ACCESSIBILITY
Develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum standards for the accessibility of facilities and services open or provided to the general public

5. Looking ahead to 2019
Are election processes and information material accessible to persons with disabilities?
Manifestos
Information material
Campaign events
End February: short paper updating FRA data on the link between legal capacity and the right to vote
Make use of the FRA data and infographics!

6. Available in English
Available in 22 EU languages

8. Available in 22 EU languages

9. You can contact us at: disability@fra.europa.eu
All indicators are available online at: fra.europa.eu/en/theme/people-disabilities
You can contact us at: