General News
First Accessible Elections in India
What We Can Do?
We have constantly complained that disabled people are not being seen as a Vote Bank; Political Parties are insensitive, etc. And, it has not helpedโฆ
This Election, we as a community - disabled people, their families, professionals, friends, well wishers should make a mark. We should become โvisibleโ
Each of us have a role to play.
People with Disabilities
- Cast your vote. (Why cast our Vote?)
- Contact the Election Authority in advance to check if they are providing necessary facilities.
- Ensure that facilities are provided to disabled people to vote independently and with dignity.
- Conduct access audit of polling stations / booths along with local self-advocacy groups or NGOs (Checklist)
- If the facilities are not provided on the day of Voting, please file a complaint, inform the media and inform
- Join Self-advocacy groups and disability advocacy groups working to empower persons with disabilities and bring disability issues to the attention of leaders and the public
- Motivate other disabled people to Vote.
- Volunteer to help with a voter registration drive. Many groups and individuals are not aware about the procedure and how to go about it. There is often a need for volunteers to work at information tables at community events or go door-to-door helping people get registered to vote.
- Vote for a Party that promises to work for the development of disabled people.
- Stay informed about issues affecting you and encourage others to stay informed. Staying informed includes attending the debates and speeches by candidates running for public office, listening to or watching news broadcasts, reading newspapers and organization newsletters, attending community meetings about issues, and talking with others.
- Participate in protest marches and rallies organised by disability groups.
Family Member/Friends
- It would be good to go as a group (family and friends) to vote. This adds to the visibility.
- Be aware of the facilities that are required to be provided for disabled people in the polling booths.
- Support your disabled family member in raising the issue or for filing the complaint in case there are any issues at the polling stations.
- Even if you are not staying with the disabled family member, you can still play a role of an observer to see if facilities are provided at the polling stations.
- Vote for a Party that promises to work for the development of disabled people.
NGOs/Disability Groups
Launch a Campaign in your State/District/Community to ensure that disabled people are seen and heard in this Election.
1. Advocate with the Election Commission to Provide Facilities & to Create Awareness
Write to the Election Commissioners - Shri N. Gopalaswami at gopalaswamin@eci.gov.in , Shri Navin Chawla at navinchawla@eci.gov.in and Dr. S.Y Quraishi at syquraishi@eci.gov.in asking them not only to ensure that facilities are provided at polling stations but also to create awareness among people, as directed by the Supreme Court.
FLOOD THE OFFICE of the Election Commission with letters, e mails reminding them about the SC Order! Each letter will make a differenceโฆ Even a post card would do.. We should let them know that we exist and we are observing!
Please CC your mails/letters to secretariat@ncpedp.org. This will help in strengthening the movement.
You should also write to State District Authorities regarding the issue.
2. Motivate People with Disabilities to Vote in Large Numbers
NGOs/Disability Groups should also spread the message regarding facilities to all their contacts through all possible mediums - Letters/Post cards/meetings/sms, mails, posters, word to mouth publicity, local media, etc etc.
Disabled people/families/NGOs/friends/media should play the role of 'observers' to ensure that facilities are given.
3. Sensitise Political Parties
It is important to sensitise political parties to ensure that Manifestoes have a clear mention about disability.
Ask for the following:
- Disability to be included in their Manifestoes
- Manifestoes to be made available in accessible formats and
- Sign language interpreters at the political rallies.
- Invite leaders to talk about disability issues.
4. Share Information
It is important to share and disseminate information about various initiatives so that we can learn from each others experiences.
Please send information to us at rama_c@deoc.in. We will further disseminate to others on our database.
Volunteer
- Learn about disability issues from your friends with disability
- Participate in Public Meetings of disability organisations on the issue.
- Write to Election Authorities in your area, enquiring if facilities are being provided to disabled people.
- Volunteer to help with voter registration. Many groups and individuals are not aware about the procedure and how to go about it. There is often a need for volunteers to work at information tables at community events or go door-to-door helping people get registered to vote.
- Act as an Observer on that day to check if the facilities are provided at the polling booths.
- Vote for a Party that promises to work for the development of disabled people.
Additional Information
Country: India
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/accessibleelections/
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
Contact Person: N/A
Source: DPI-India
When: 11/5/2009
