Stop, Look and Listen: developing a policy for PWD electoral participation by understanding PWDs’ needs and perception.

Abstract

It may seem that the inability to speak and stand causes the disability of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to participate in society. However, the real cause of PWDs’ disability are the barriers that hinder their voices from being heard and prevent them from standing up for their own rights. Non-participation of some PWDs in elections are not caused by the mere existence of their physical impairment. Instead, this is caused by the different barriers to PWDs’ electoral participation. This study identifies two kinds of barriers: Physical Barriers and Social Barriers. Physical Barriers refer to the inaccessibility of voting centers, while Social Barriers refer to the discrimination and marginalization that PWDs experience in their everyday lives. Findings of the study suggest that Social Barriers are more likely to cause the non-participation of PWDs in elections compared to Physical Barriers. Therefore, in empowering PWDs to participate in elections, it is more important to address Social Barriers because it is only in this way that PWDs will truly be integrated into the mainstream of society and the feeling of being included makes PWDs realize their role in society and the importance of their vote. [Introduction]