In the first of our weekly election blogs, Scott Watkin BEM discusses the issues that matter most to people with learning disabilities in this election.

Not everyone is like me and enjoys politics but there’s no avoiding the news of a general election!

And if there was ever a time to talk about people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss and how we can exercise our right to vote, it is now.

Our voice matters as much as any other person. Voting is not just a nice to do, it’s a human right. 

But sometimes there are barriers in our way. Elections are not designed for people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss. There are barriers at every stage, from understanding manifestos, to getting photo ID, to putting a cross in the ballot paper. Making this an accessible general election has to be a priority. 

We’re supporting My Vote My Voice which has lots of accessible information and advice, so do take a look at the resources on their website.

Good lives manifesto

This is also our chance to make sure we have our voices heard and listened to by all the parties who will be wanting our vote. 

There are millions of people in the UK with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss. There are 1.5 million people with learning disabilities alone. That’s a population bigger than Birmingham – the second biggest city in the UK! 

We cannot be ignored. Politicians wanting our votes have to understand what is important to us, and think about how they can win our vote.

That’s why I’ve worked hard with Learning Disability England on a ‘Good Lives Manifesto’.

There are six key pledges anyone who is standing as a candidate can make. These are the issues that matter to us. This is how to win our vote!

The pledges call for better social care, healthcare, employment, housing and equality. We want the new government to be a champion for the rights of all people with disabilities.