Tamara Byrne is a self-advocate working for Inclusion Ireland and representing persons with intellectual disabilities in the EDF Youth Committee. In this testimonial, Tamara talks about her experiences with voting and explains how important it is for Europe to listen to the voices of persons with disabilities.
Soufiane El Amrani is the accessibility expert at Inclusion Europe. He has been working at Inclusion Europe since 2008, specialising in easy-to-read materials and training. In this testimonial, Soufiane speaks about the barriers he has faced in voting as a person with intellectual disabilities, and the importance of making sure everyone can make informed choices and cast their votes in the European elections.
Korina Theodorakaki is a journalist and wheelchair user who is an active member and elected official in numerous disability rights organisations in Greece. In this testimonial, she reflects on her deeply upsetting experiences with inaccessible polling stations, and the difficult and sometimes illegal practices that she has had to face in order to cast her vote.
Jonathan Elebjörk Wahlström is a board member of the International Federation of Hard of Hearing Young People and the newly elected Co-Chair of EDF’s Youth Committee. His testimonial reflects on the multifaceted nature of accessibility in political participation and explains the Swedish context for the European elections.
Mathilde Cotman is a self-advocate in Inclusion ASBL, a Belgian association for persons with intellectual disabilities and their families. In her interview, she recalls past voting experiences with the guidance of her mother, and her uncertainty going forward without access to the information that can help her make her choice.
Maikel Mõttus is a board member of the Estonian Association of People with Mobility Impairments and a change-maker in the Disability Rights in the European Elections (DREE) project. His testimonial explains the importance of alternative and remote voting methods, and the steps Estonia is taking to make voting more accessible.
Senada Halilčević is a self-advocate from Croatia who has previously served as chair of the European Platform of Self-Advocates (EPSA) and Vice-President of Inclusion Europe. In this testimonial, she shares her views on the importance of accessible voting materials, especially for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Jakub Gietka is a member of SMA Europe’s Adult Committee, a member of the Social Policy Action Group at EURORDIS, the founder and president of the Aiming for the Future Foundation (Fundacja Celując w Przyszłość), and a change-maker in the DREE project. In this testimonial, he discusses the importance of going beyond the basics to facilitate accessible and confidential elections.
