On this International Day of Democracy, ADDC has developed a collection of stories and resources relating to elections and democracy in developing countries with a particular focus on how this relates to people with disabilities.

Download here: 20110915 International Day of Democracy- special edition Bulletin Set 15th 2011

ENSURING THE RIGHT TO POLITICAL PARTICIPATION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

This Election Access Guidebook is a guidebook on implementation of enfranchisement for persons with disabilities funded by International Foundation for Electoral System (IFES) dan AUSAID. This guidebook contains an evaluation on general election/local head election implementation and brief information concerning problems faced by persons with disabilities in using their political right in general election/local head election. A number of difficulties experienced by persons with disabilities, among others, are: inaccessible information or socialization for persons with hearing disability, uninformed assistive devices make them difficult for election officers and voters to use them, “physically and mentally healthy” requirement for candidates to use their electoral right to be chosen in general election/local head election which impair persons with disabilities since disabilities are perceived as not physically and mentally healthy.

This guidebook also explains some brief information concerning regulation development in electoral area, especially in relation to a right for persons with disabilities in general election

in Indonesia. This book discusses various regulation information related to a political right for persons with disabilities, among others: Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ratified

International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, The Bill of Electoral Right of Citizen

With Disabilities, Election Law and some implementing regulations of KPU, such as Decrees or Circulation Letters issued by General Election Commission (KPU) as an Election management body.

This guidebook is expected to be useful to assist persons with disabilities, KPU, BAWASLU,

Legislative and Executive Bodies as well as other electoral stakeholders both in national and local level as concerted efforts to ensure full participation for persons with disabilities in an accessible and non-discriminated general election/local head election, so that the persons with disabilities are expected to use their political rights in a direct, general, free, secret, accessible, independent, honest and fair general election/local head election.

Download PDF here: Election Access Guidebook for People With Disabilities 2011

Delhi University to make DUSU elections accessible for students with disabilities 

Asia-Pacific Aug 31, 2011

Download article: elections- Delhi University to make DUSU elections accessible for students with disabilities

Article from a United Nations meeting held in Bangkok in August 2010

Download: Voting Rights for People with Disabilities in Asia Pacific

Information on the participation of people with disabilities in the electoral process.

Download here: Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities

A report on the observations and recommendations made by voters with disabilities.

In October 2010, CCBRT conducted a survey to assess the level of participation of people with disabilities in Tanzania’s general election which was held on 31st October 2010. The survey was carried out in three districts in Dar es Salaam region: Temeke, Ilala and Kinondoni.

100 people with disabilities were involved with four types of disabilities represented. These were: physical impairment, visual impairment, hearing impairment and albinism. All respondents were registered as voters and voted at polling stations that were located in various constituencies within Dar es Salaam.

The survey was mainly motivated by inadequate participation of people with disabilities in previous elections which has resulted in their low representation in various decision and policy making bodies. Prior to the election, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) had promised to address some of the challenges encountered by people with disabilities that limit their effective participation in election processes. The objective of the survey was therefore to assess and determine the participation of people with disabilities in the 2010 election process and to determine the extent to which NEC’s promises were successfully implemented. It also sought to determine different methods used by people with disabilities to access information on elections.

Download PDF :  CCBRT Survey Election

Organisations are responding to the release of the much awaited  World Disability Report in different ways.

Follow this link to see how:Responses to World Report on Disability Globally

The first ever World report on disability, produced jointly by WHO and the World Bank, suggests that more than a billion people in the world today experience disability.
People with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is largely due to the lack of services available to them and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives.

The report provides the best available evidence about what works to overcome barriers to health care, rehabilitation, education, employment, and support services, and to create the environments which will enable people with disabilities to flourish. The report ends with a concrete set of recommended actions for governments and their partners.
This pioneering World report on disability will make a significant contribution to implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. At the intersection of public health, human rights and development, the report is set to become a “must have” resource for policy-makers, service providers, professionals, and advocates for people with disabilities and their families

Link to World Disability Report:www.who.int/disabilities/world_report

Link to ADDC Media Release:10062011- ADDC MEDIA RELEASE World Disability Report launch