People with disabilities should be able to participate in politics
Published: Wednesday, Apr 17th 2024, 08:40
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The Federal Council must examine measures to ensure that people with disabilities can participate in political life in a self-determined manner. The National Council has referred a postulate from its Political Institutions Committee (SPK-N).
On Wednesday, the National Council voted in favor of the SPK-N's postulate by 104 votes to 71, with twelve abstentions. The Confederation and cantons must now be able to participate in politics with equal opportunities and self-determination with support measures for people with disabilities.
The Federal Council must clarify which models for financial compensation for disadvantages are suitable for the political involvement of people with disabilities in parties, civil society organizations and election campaigns. And how the consultation of people with disabilities in extra-parliamentary committees can be guaranteed.
People with disabilities make up 22% of the Swiss population, the majority of the SPK-N justified their demands. However, they are clearly underrepresented in politics today and obstacles for them must therefore be removed.
The costs for a translation into sign language in an election campaign, for example, must be paid by those affected in order to have equal opportunities, the postulate said. There are currently no specific regulations regarding the financing of compensation for disadvantages due to various disabilities.
A conservative minority rejected the postulate. Benjamin Fischer (SVP/ZH) said that the postulate would only lead to another report. The discussion on accessibility and the political participation of people with disabilities was already underway.
The Federal Council agrees with the mandate. A partial revision of the Disability Discrimination Act is currently undergoing consultation, said Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. The postulate addresses important issues that could be included in the ongoing work.
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