In my opinion, voting is one of the most important things that people with a learning disability can do to make sure their voice is heard. We all use services that the government funds and runs, and voting shows MPs and people in power what is important to you.

I am passionate about making sure people use their right and vote in elections. At Mencap we’ve shared the views of people with a learning disability with the government to help them understand why it can be difficult to vote. Things like filling in the forms to register to vote in the first place can be hard without support.

That’s why I’m really excited that we’ve joined up with three other charities – Ambitious About Autism , Dimensions and United Response – to launch the My Vote My Voice campaign . It is all about  encouraging people with a learning disability or autistic people to vote, whether they have voted for years or have never done it before. My Vote My Voice has information and guides for everyone about how to vote, how government works, how to support someone to vote, and lots more.

My Vote My Voice event

Watch Ismail address the MPs and other guests with a speech at the parliamentary launch of the the My Vote My Voice campaign in February.


That includes information about Voter ID – this is new and means in England you will need to show some identification like a driving license, passport or disabled person’s bus pass to cast your vote. You can read more about this on the My Vote My Voice website.

When we spoke to the government about voter ID in the past, we told them we were worried that the need for identification might be a barrier that stopped people with a learning disability voting.  The government went ahead with their plans and now it’s a law, so the best thing we can do is make sure everyone has the right information so they know what to do to make sure they can use their right to vote.

As well as helping to launch My Vote My Voice, I’ve also been working with the Electoral Commission over the last few months to help them make easy read guides about voting and the local elections that are coming up in May.  It’s so important that there is clear and accessible information to make sure people have what they need to be able to vote, every step of the way. 

So if you want the government to put more money into social care, or make the benefits system fairer for people who have life-long conditions, or take the issues that you care about seriously, you have to use your vote!

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