Lib Dems Stand Up for People With Disabilities (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems Stand Up for People With Disabilities

November 1, 2005 5:06 PM

At today's Council meeting, Cllr Chris Wise (Wootton division) successfully moved a motion to improve access for disabled people to polling stations. Chris asked the Chief Executive to report on how many polling stations in Oxfordshire at the last County elections were inaccessible and asked her to work with District Councils to ensure that action is taken.

Chris said, "The voices of disabled people must not be ignored by society. We should aim for disabled people to achieve equality: a society in which they are as valued and have the same human and civil rights as everyone else. Actually being able to cast their votes in person is a basic right."

At the same meeting, Chris asked a further question about access to the County Council's own buildings, and those accessible to the public at large, in particular cinemas, sports centers and the like. Chris said, "I am told that the situation is improving, but there is room for still more improvement. I hope that the Cabinet are taking this issue very seriously. Disabled people need to access entertainment facilities and council services and influence county policies. How are they to do this if they cannot even enter our buildings to see us?"