UN Human Rights Council 61: Interactive dialogue on Persons with Disabilities
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Persons with Disabilities: the equal participation of persons with disabilities in political life. Not delivered due to time constraints.
Thank you, Mr President.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report on this important topic. We are troubled by the Special Rapporteur’s assessment that disabled people remain significantly underrepresented in political decision-making worldwide.
The UK is committed to ensuring the equal participation of disabled people in political life. To overcome financial barriers to participation, the UK has created a steering group of experts to support the development of a new Access to Elected Office Fund.
Drawing on their lived experience of disability, accessing funding, or contesting elected office, members are working with the Minister for Social Security and Disability to ensure the fund increases disability representation in future elections.
Mr President, the Elections Act 2022 introduced a more flexible framework to better meet the diverse needs of disabled electors. This includes providing appropriate equipment for voters with a wide range of disabilities and removing unnecessary restrictions on who may assist a disabled voter.
In collaboration with disabled people’s organisations, the Electoral Commission has produced guidance to support Returning Officers to address barriers to voting.
Special Rapporteur, what more can States do to increase the quality and availability of data on the political participation of disabled people?
