Disability Votes count in Local and European Elections on Friday 7 June 

June 5 2024

Make Way Election Day

Release - Wednesday 5 June 2024 - Immediate

Attn: Newsdesks, Political and Social Affairs Correspondents

Disability Votes count in Local and European Elections on Friday 7 June 

#MakeWayElectionDay 

 

The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), is encouraging all disabled people to vote on Friday to ensure their voices are heard locally and in Europe.

We are also asking Local Returning Officers to put final checks in place to make sure that disabled people have access to an inclusive voting process.

Commenting ahead of Friday's elections, Elaine Teague, CEO of DFI said, "Experience shows that we are still a long way from having equal participation for voters with disabilities. We are aware of disabled people having to vote in car parks as a result of there being no ramp into the polling station.

"The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, asks signatories to guarantee that elections are designed and conducted considering different types of disabilities. There is still time between now and Friday to make sure that polling centres and spaces are accessible and accommodating." 

Ms Teague continued, "We are also asking that any issues to do with access to the polling stations and polling itself be highlighted by disabled people and for these experiences to be shared online using our #MakeWayElectionDay hashtag. 

"It's really important that all disabled people can have an accessible and inclusive experience when voting, just like everyone else." 

ENDS

Notes for Editors

  • Our #MakeWayElectionDay is a theme linked to our annual #MakeWayDay campaign which takes place each September to raise awareness about local access issues for disabled people. 
  • The number of people who have a disability or disabling condition is increasing. In Census 2022 1,109,557 people (22% of the population) reported having a long-lasting condition/difficulty or disability to any extent. 
  • You can read the DFI's Manifestos on the Local and European Elections here.
  • You can click here to see the list of candidates in the European Elections who have signed our pledge to progress the disability agenda if elected to the European Parliament. 

For media contact:

Brenda Drumm, Communications Manager, Disability Federation of Ireland, 086 076 4114 brendadrumm@disability-federation.ie.