Mencap’s ‘Get my vote’ campaign is about making sure more people with a learning disability can use their right to vote at the next general election.

A general election will take place in 2010. At the last general election only 2 out of 10 people with a learning disability used their vote, compared to 6 out of 10 of the whole UK population. ‘Get my vote’ was launched at the Learning Disability Today event at the end of November.

As part of the campaign, Mencap wants the government to make sure that accessible information about how to register to vote is available. We are also calling for the main parties to make their manifestos in easy read

Mencap has also tabled an Early Day Motion in parliament, calling for more accessible materials to be produced in the election. Early Day Motions allow MPs to support causes that are important to them.

In the new year, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Learning Disability will focus on this issue. Representatives from the main parties will have the chance to explain the steps they are taking to engage people with a learning disability