Press release: This is a press release that was sent to the newspapers and radio

United Response launches free multimedia tool to engage people with learning disabilities in the democratic process

30th January 2009

Ever Vote Counts pack

There will be European elections this year. And there will be an election in the UK soon.

We have made a pack to make politics easier for thousands of people with learning disabilities in England.

A thumb pointing downwards

Some research United Response did showed that 80% of people with learning disabilities supported by the charity are registered to vote.

But only 16% of those people voted in the last general election.

The Every Vote Counts pack

The Every Vote Counts! pack is a free CD and booklet. It explains politics to people with learning disabilities.

It was made by the Every Vote Counts! team, people with learning disabilities and people who support them.

It was funded by the Electoral Commission.

A screenshot from the Every Vote Counts pack of a woman with her hands in the air, Parliament behind her and the words how to get involved

The pack tells people about why politics is important, how to get involved and have a say.

It also helps support workers to support people with learning disabilities to get involved in politics without bringing their own views.

Different coloured pawns indicating policial parties with arrows going to a bus, train, newspaper and house

Lizzie, who has a learning disability and is supported by United Response in London, said:

"Politics affects us in the newspapers. Politics affects us on public transport. Politics affects us through everyday life."

People having a meeting with a flipchart behind them with decisions on it

"It is important for making decisions.

When politicians sit round the table they have to make the best decision for us."

Tw people with a rights banner behind them

Su Sayer, chief executive of United Response said:

"Politics is about everyone. If we can engage people with learning disabilities in politics, we are involving them in the decisions that affect their everyday lives.

But our research shows we need to make information easier to understand so people can take part in politics and have their say."

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"We hope that this pack will make politics easier for a group of people who are not always included in society."

A calendar showing three years

The Every Vote Counts! pack is part of a three year campaign funded by the Electoral Commission and launched by United Response to help people with learning disabilities become better engaged.

A computer with the Ever Vote Counts logo on the screen

To register for a free copy of the Every Vote Counts! pack and to find out more about the project go to www.everyvotecounts.org.uk or email

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Thank you to CHANGE for the Picturebank