Research
Capability Scotland has been active in researching disabled voters' experiences and campaigning for better access arrangements since 1997. See below for a selection of the reports we have produced. For more information on any of the issues covered, contact ASCS, Capability Scotland's national advice and information service - see contact details below.
!!NEW!! Polls Apart 5 - our report into the accessibility of voting for disabled people in the 2007 Scottish elections. Headline findings were that voting was more accessible in most areas. However, almost one quarter of disabled voters found voting more difficult than in previous elections, highlighting problems with the ballot paper and the single transferable vote system. Click to read the full report or the executive summary.
Research into the accessibility of voting
Polls Apart 4 - Polls Apart 4 followed up on disabled voters' experiences in the 2005 general election. Capability Scotland worked with a coallition of disability organisations to monitor voting experiences across the UK. The survey found that access had got marginally worse since 2003. In terms of comparisions to other areas of the UK, the picture was mixed.
North Poll Final Report - This report focussed on the experiences of disabled voters in the 2003 Scottish elections. It also contained detailed survey information from election staff from a number of Scottish local authorities. It contains detailed accounts of accessibility across Scotland.
Polls Apart 3 - This research looked at disabled voter experiences in the 2001 general election. Capability Scotland found that, while there has been some improvement, Scotland was still some way off from being able to claim that all polling places are fully accessible.
Research into the voting intentions of disabled people
2007 Voting Intentions Survey - Our latest voting intentions survey highlights the voting intentions of disabled people in the run up to the 2007 Scottish Parliament and local council elections.
2005 voting intentions survey - This survey offers a comparision of disabled people's voting intentions in the 2005, 2001 and 1997 general elections.
2003 voting intentions survey - This looks at the voting intentions of disabled people in the 2003 Scottish elections.
2001 voting intentions survey - Subtitled 'For better or for worse', this report provides an indepth analysis of disabled people's voting intentions in the 2001 general election.