The persons with disabilities want not a special attitude, but equal conditions and accessibility in exercising their rights. The improved access to public places would reduce their dependence on other persons and would allow them to become involved more in community life, said Natalia Aga, who is a national observer at the local elections on behalf of the Center of Legal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities.
In a news conference at IPN, Natalia Aga said the participation of the persons with disabilities in elections is important. They are those who can help change the mentality and can increase involvement in the decision-making process. Society does nothing but neglect them by organizing voting at home, with the help of the mobile ballot box. The persons with disabilities can and should vote at polling places, as the other voters.
Natalia Aga related that when working earlier as observer, she saw young people with disabilities who came to vote, but could not because the entrance to the polling place wasn’t outfitted with ramps for wheelchair users or because the doors were too narrow.
“For some, these are minor problems, but for us they are a serious challenge,” stated Natalia Aga.
She also said that there is yet a lot to be done to ensure accessibility, while the disability as a permanent state must be accepted as a norm in any form.
