Research and analysis

Barriers to elected office for disabled people

An independent assessment of the barriers for disabled people who stand for elected office, and an evaluation of the EnAble Fund.

Documents

Barriers to elected office for disabled people (Easy Read)

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Barriers to elected office for disabled people (large print)

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Barriers to political representation: disability and the EnAble Fund (Easy Read)

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Barriers to political representation: disability and the EnAble Fund (large print)

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Details

Barriers to elected office for disabled people

This study was commissioned by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) in December 2018 to identify and understand the barriers that disabled people face as political candidates and potential candidates. These include barriers across the different stages of the political recruitment process, from political activism and considering running for office, to the selection and election processes. The research also addresses the barriers that disabled people face once they have been elected.

Barriers to political representation: disability and the EnAble Fund

In December 2018, the government opened the interim £250,000 EnAble fund. The fund was set up to provide financial support for disabled candidates to meet additional disability-related expenses. The fund was open to candidates representing political parties and Independent candidates standing in the 2019 local elections in England and the 2020 police and crime commissioner elections. It was expanded to support candidates who stood in the 2019 European Parliamentary elections. The interim fund closed on 31 March 2020.

Alternative formats

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Updates to this page

Published 28 July 2021

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