One in six (17%) people in the UK aged 18 and over would be put off voting because of their physical or mental health – equivalent to over 9 million people. And one in 14 (7%) would be put off by not having the right ID to vote. That’s according to a survey by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), who has compiled expert advice from some of its members to make voting accessible to all.
According to the survey, around one in three (32%) adults feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available about the general election, rising to almost one in two (49%) among 18- to 24-year-olds. Women are more likely than men to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available (40% compared to 23%).
Other things that would put people off voting include:
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Thinking it won’t make a difference (31%)
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Not knowing who to vote for (27%)
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Not having enough information about candidates (20%)
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Lack of interest in politics (19%)
RCOT is concerned that people are being prevented from voting, when there could be relatively simple solutions to mental and physical health challenges, with the right support.
Karin Orman, Director of Practice and Innovation at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, says:
‘Too many people feel excluded from voting because it’s not made accessible to them. Voting is a right, and people shouldn’t face any barriers if they want to exercise that right. Sadly, our survey shows that many do.
‘However, for many of these challenges, there is support available at polling stations – people just aren’t always aware of it, such as asking for reasonable adjustments, or bringing a companion into the polling booth with you. There are also some things that people can do themselves, that they may not have thought of, for example, looking at information in bitesize chunks or watching short videos if they feel overwhelmed.
‘That’s why we’ve developed advice for voters, broken down by the challenges they might expect to have, to make it as accessible as possible. It’s written by occupational therapists to show the different ways we can support people – both when it comes to voting, and more broadly throughout their life.’
Although the advice is directed at voters themselves, RCOT is also calling for all polling stations to consider the different challenges people face so that everyone who has the right to vote can. One thing that could make this easier in future elections, is bringing more occupational therapists into community settings, such as GP practices, schools, social services, housing associations, care homes and places of work. This would mean that people would have better access to occupational therapy where and when they need it.
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have a wide range of conditions, helping them overcome challenges completing everyday tasks or activities – also known as occupations – including voting. If voting is important to someone they’re supporting, an occupational therapist will work with the person as an individual, look at their environment, and may suggest equipment, techniques or ways to access additional support, to help someone exercise that right.
RCOT has released expert advice from occupational therapists to support everyone to vote as part of its ongoing Lift Up Your Everyday campaign. It provides examples of the type of advice an occupational therapist would give as part of a personal, realistic and practical plan for an individual. The advice is available at rcot.co.uk/voting.