Funding for Elected Office
Positive Step Forward as Deaf Representation Included in Government’s New Access to Elected Office Group
BSL version of the government press release: https://youtu.be/N3x5ABmW9_4
We warmly welcome the UK Government’s recent announcement of a new Access to Elected Office Steering Group, which will help ensure that disabled people – including deaf individuals – have fair and supported opportunities to stand for elected office.
The group will work closely with the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, to advise on the development of a new fund that will support disabled candidates with the disability-related expenses they may face. This could include costs such as accessible transport, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, and accessible campaign materials.
We are especially pleased that David Buxton OBE, Chief Executive of Action on Disability and a long-standing advocate for deaf inclusion, has been appointed to the steering group. David’s presence will ensure that the needs and experiences of deaf candidates are represented clearly and credibly in the design of future support.
The government has committed to drawing on the lived experiences of steering group members, many of whom have direct experience of disability, accessing support funding, or standing for office. The aim is to remove barriers and increase representation by ensuring the voices of disabled people are at the centre of this work.
In the words of Sir Stephen Timms MP:
“We want to ensure that disabled people have the right support to pursue a rewarding career in elected office… and that disabled people’s views and voices are at the heart of our efforts to achieve this.”
This announcement signals a renewed focus on tackling inequality and improving political access. It builds on previous initiatives, such as the Access to Elected Office Fund and the Enable Fund, and complements broader work such as the government’s current consultation on disability pay gap reporting.
We see this as an important and long-overdue move towards creating a political system that reflects the diversity of our society. The appointment of a deaf representative to the steering group is a step forward in recognising the unique barriers deaf candidates face – and in committing to dismantling them.
We look forward to following the group’s progress and contributing to a future where elected office is truly accessible to all.
#FairAccessToPolitics #DeafRepresentation #InclusionInAction
