Public funds to help disabled stand for election

A fund aimed at encouraging more disabled people to participate in politics and stand in next year's local council elections has been opened by Scottish ministers.

The £200,000 will be used to help to cover additional costs for accessible transport or communications support for disabled people who wish to stand for selection or election in 2017. This also includes £40,000 delivery costs.

Disabled people are significantly underrepresented as local councillors.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman explained: “We know disabled people often find it difficult to access elected offices due to the many barriers that exist, and the additional cost of being disabled can be one of them, but it is vital for society that all our groups are represented in politics and elected offices at all levels.

“This funding will help break down some of those barriers and comes as a direct response to one of the key demands from disabled people’s campaign organisations, who all highlight that funding is a major barrier for disabled people to even consider accessing politics. This is not about giving anyone an advantage in seeking election but rather leveling the playing field to make it fairer for everyone."

Sally Witcher, chief executive of Inclusion Scotland commented: “Inclusion Scotland has long worked to help ensure that policymakers take into account disabled people’s views when making decisions that directly affect our daily lives. The new fund allows us to go further – to help ensure that disabled people actually become those policymakers. But we cannot do it alone.

“Any party that takes disability equality seriously needs to take action, not just because it is important for our politicians to be representative of the electorate they serve, but because disabled people understand through their lived experience what needs to be done to achieve that goal.”

Click here for further information and details on how to apply.