Creating a Democracy that Works for Us All

This week I had the privilege of attending Parliament for the launch of the Disability Policy Centre’s new report 'Creating a Democracy that Works for Us All'. The report shines a much-needed light on the barriers disabled people face in exercising their democratic right.

Many of the stories we heard focused on physical access. Polling stations that were not wheelchair accessible. Blind and visually impaired people unable to vote privately because the right adjustments weren’t in place. These are fundamental failings. A democracy that is not physically accessible cannot truly call itself democratic.

But my own specialism - and the mission of Seats at the Table - lies in neuroinclusive access. And here too, politics often falls short. For many people, the way elections are run can feel daunting, confusing, and alienating. Information is frequently presented in complex formats, or scattered across multiple channels. Voter registration and polling day procedures can feel rushed and unfamiliar.

The report makes recommendations I deeply welcome, such as “mock polling days” that allow people to practise the process before the real thing. For those of us who find unfamiliar environments overwhelming, this small step could transform confidence. Likewise, producing information in accessible formats does not only help disabled people - it helps everyone. Clearer communication, simpler processes, and a culture of openness are the essence of universal design.

When we build politics on a foundation of neuroinclusion, we build something stronger for all of us. Because the reality is: if our democracy excludes some, it diminishes all.

You can read the full report here: ‘Creating a democracy that works for us all’ report