Wheelchair Access At Polling Stations 2010
During this year’s general election voting a wheelchair user had to be dragged up steps into a venue in order to be allowed to vote. There were no provisions made and even when it became apparent that disabled access was nonexistent polling staff made little effort to help.
Azheem Ditta, of Accrington, has told the story of how he was told that he could not vote due to there being no wheelchair access at his local polling station in a primary school in Accrington.
Mr Ditta told of how officials refused to help him after he was unable to get up the steps leading into the polling station. There was no help offered by the staff at the polling station and no alternative route into the building offered.
Mr Ditta’s family attempted to get his wheelchair up the steps themselves which resulted in his wife slipping and causing herself an injury. When they finally got to the top of the steps Mr Ditta was then able to make his vote , although he felt very strongly that he deserved an apology for the, ‘disgusting,’ treatment he had been subjected to.
The elections have been rife with complaints this year with many people being refused entry and unable to vote before the 10pm closing time.
One council spokesperson said of Mr Ditta’s case, “When looking for polling stations we do try our best to identify buildings with disabled access. However, in one or two cases across the borough, this isn’t always possible.
The fact that Mr Ditta could have been prevented from casting his vote if his family hadn’t of physically carried him and his wheelchair into the polling station is bound to draw attention to the flaws in the current system.
A rethink of the whole voting process has been called for after numerous cases like Mr Ditta’s and the people unable to vote due to stations closing caused public uproar.
The use of mobility aids can help people greatly. In order to find reliable crutches and other mobility aids it is a good idea to visit a reputable company.
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