A NATIONWIDE campaign is under way to empower Scots with learning disabilities to use their votes.
An estimated 120,000 people in Scotland have learning disabilities. While around 70 per cent want to have their say in elections, 60 per cent said the process is too difficult.
Now there is a national push to support eligible voters to take part in the local government elections in May. Charity Enable Scotland will hold almost 20 hustings across the country to bring candidates and potential voters together as part of its #ENABLEtheVote campaign.
The programme began in Edinburgh on Monday, with a second session scheduled to take place in Saltcoats tonight.
It has also secured funding from the Electoral Commission to make the act of voting less challenging, with fact sheets to support people who have learning disabilities and their families with the process.
Kayleigh Thorpe, head of campaigns and activism for Enable Scotland, said: “Traditionally the number of people who have a learning disability who vote is only around 30 per cent.
“Enable Scotland seeks to ensure that everyone who has a learning disability has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote with confidence, and with the chance to make an informed choice through debate.
“People who have learning disabilities too often face lifelong exclusion and lack of opportunity to be part of their community.”
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