Description: More than many other Australians, the lives of people with a disability are directly influenced by the actions of government. With as many as 46% of Australians with disability not engaged in the workforce, their life opportunities are directly impacted by government action in relation to the level of the disability support pension, the provision of accessible spaces & activities and the reasonableness and availability of individual support packages. With so much at stake, why is it that so few people with a cognitive impairment are supported to enrol to vote, and actively engage in voting? The seminar will feature presentations from Professor Christine Bigby, Director, Living with Disability Research Centre Sophia Tipping (PhD Candidate – democratic participation), Nathan Despott (Political Citizenship Project Manager, Inclusion Melbourne), Victorian Electoral Commission and a collaborative discussion time. Attendees will include policy and practice leaders from government and advocacy bodies. The speakers will present an overview of political citizenship practices in Australia and overseas with the aim of creating a clear picture of a potential joint campaign for the enhanced inclusion of people with intellectual disability in political citizenship and voting. This seminar is proudly supported by: Putting rights into practice: Political citizenship and people with intellectual disability
