Democracy Disabled: Discrimination at the Polls

On: May 20, 2011

In: Commentary, CRPD, Disability Rights, Global, political participation, Racism and Discrimination, voting

The right to political participation is both fundamental to democracy and a fundamental human right. Yet people with disabilities are routinely denied the chance to exercise this right.

Imagine registering to vote in the upcoming election, only to be told by a local government official not to go to the polling place because you would "spoil the election." Betty, a woman I met in northern Uganda, was told just that. Why? Because she is blind.

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