December 21, 2005

Federal Candidates Challenged to Run Accessible Campaigns

CHARLOTTETOWN: The PEI Council of the Disabled today challenged all Island candidates in the January 23, 2006 federal election to run accessible campaigns. In order for Islanders with disabilities to be active participants in the current federal election, parties should ensure that their campaign activities and information are accessible to all.

"With a 2001 study showing that over 80% of Islanders with disabilities regularly vote, it is in the best interest of all federal candidates to make their campaigns accessible," said the Council’s Executive Director, Barry Schmidl, today. "The current federal election campaign presents an important opportunity for Canada’s political parties to demonstrate what commitment they actually have to people with disabilities."

Examples of accessibility features included in an accessible election campaign would be:

• Print material available in alternate media, upon request [Braille, tape, computer disk].
• Sign language interpretation at public meetings.
• Campaign information written in plain language.
• Offices equipped with TTYs.
• Offices located in barrier free premises.
• Meetings and offices with designated disabled parking.
• Advertising of the availability of accessibility features, such as a TDD inquiry line.
• Parties providing voters with transportation to the polls, also provide accessible transportation to voters with disabilities.
• Accessible web sites.

"People with disabilities wish to participate fully in the democratic election process and to so do, require all election processes to be fully accessible to them" said Schmidl. "We have asked candidates what their stands are on several important disability issues - it would only be appropriate that voters with disabilities be able to involve themselves in the process after finding out those positions." The Council of the Disabled is conducting a survey of candidates on disability issues. Responses are being published on the Council’s web site at www.peicod.pe.ca as they come in.

The PEI Council of the Disabled was formed in 1974 by a group of concerned people with disabilities to speak out on issues such as housing, employment, education, transportation, human rights, and access to support services. The PEI Council of the Disabled promotes the full participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of Island life.

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For more information contact: Barry Schmidl, Executive Director, 892-9149
or visit the Council's website at www.peicod.pe.ca