Mencap NI are using virtual reality technology to support people with a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. to vote in the Council A council is also called a local authority A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools, social care Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it. (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. . They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. elections on 2 May in Northern Ireland.
A UK survey A survey is when someone asks you to answer some questions. conducted by Mencap in 2014 found that 70% of people with a learning disability say they intended to vote in the 2015 general election, however, 60% said they found the process of registering to vote too difficult.
The learning disability charity is using an interactive virtual experience replicating a polling station, to show people what to do when they go to vote for the first time.
The virtual reality experience will help reduce people’s anxiety and develop confidence about what you have to do when voting. Mencap NI have developed the VR technology with C60 Architects based in Belfast.
Dave Morton, from Bangor is a Mencap supporter who has never voted before, he said: “I wanted to vote the last time, but I was not sure what to do and was a bit nervous. Going through it all on the screen just makes it so much easier to understand and you can experience what you have to do at each point before you vote. So now I will vote for the very first in my life and I will do it by myself, I feel excited and proud that I will vote just like everyone else in Northern Ireland.”
Virtual Voting Experience
Mencap NI are using virtual reality technology to support people with a learning disability to vote in the Council elections on 2 May in Northern Ireland. Tanya Rankin, Dave Morton and Chris Whyte have been using the new virtual experience of a polling Station with Margaret Kelly, Director of Mencap NI.
Mencap NI have also developed a ‘Guide to Voting’ in partnership with the Electoral Commission for Northern Ireland with advice in easy read Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing. format, for people with a learning disability, explaining the whole voting process of registration and voting.
Margaret Kelly, Director of Mencap NI said: “Many people with a learning disability can find it difficult to engage in their community A community is the people and places in an area. . So we are providing support for people to register and vote, voting is one of the most inclusive acts a person can do to be involved in society. A polling station can be a busy place if you are not sure what you should be doing. So on our website A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube. people can now go through the voting experience from home in advance and access a range of other information on voting and how to register to vote. We want encourage people with a learning disability to register, vote and become active members in society.”
The final date to register to vote in the Northern Ireland Council elections is on the 12 April and you must register, before you can vote.
Ann Watt, Head of the Electoral Commission in Northern Ireland said: “We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Mencap NI to produce the Guide to Voting. This guide provides important information and support which we hope will give people with a learning disability the confidence to vote and make sure their voice is heard at the local elections on 2 May.”
If you need some support and advice on how to vote, visit our Support To Vote page.