THE general election on May 7 is a key opportunity for disabled people to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

The next government will be making decisions about everything from whether we get more disabled-friendly homes built to essential support with cooking, washing and getting out and about.

To use your vote you need to make sure you are on the electoral register – you can check this by contacting your local council. There are lots of ways to vote – you can vote at your local polling station, by post, or you can nominate someone to cast your vote for you. The deadline to register to vote is April 20.

Your local council should make sure that disabled people are able to use their vote in person on polling day. There are many ways that they can do this, for example by making sure polling stations are accessible to wheelchair users, providing forms in large-print or taking time to explain the process so that someone can cast their vote.

For more information about voting, please visit leonardcheshire.org/voting and ensure you have a say on the important issues that affect your daily life.

Emma Lindsay

Campaigns Manager

Leonard Cheshire Disability