A national ID card or birth certificate is usually required in order to register to vote. In some countries, children with disabilities are not given this identification when they are born, as it is assumed they will not be active citizens. An enumeration of the rights that come with having a national ID card is also not usually disseminated in accessible formats, so persons with disabilities may not know they need this card to register to vote. In some countries, information on disability is collected as part of the registration process. This information is sometimes included on the ID card and sometimes is kept for internal use by the EMB. Having this data allows EMBs to better plan the distribution of accommodations, such as tactile ballot guides, but it also has downsides. There is a risk that identifying disability status on ID cards will lead to discrimination in other areas of life, such as employment. This risk The voter registration process in the Philippines captures information on can be mitigated if the EMB collects any accommodations required on Election Day. the information, but does not display it on the ID. The decision on whether to collect disability information and to include it on the national ID card should be made in consultation with the local disability community. EMBs must clearly define how they will use this information. Education on the benefits of self-identification can lead to better provision of services across the board, not just on Election Day. However, the disability community’s right to privacy should always be the foremost concern. Inclusive voter registration processes should have the following characteristics:  Accessible and inclusive birth certificate and national ID procedures  Physically accessible registration locations  Easy-to-understand information distributed in accessible formats  Benefits and drawbacks of collecting disability-specific information are clearly defined and assessed  Decisions on whether to collect disability-specific information are made in a collaborative way 46 International Foundation for Electoral Systems and National Democratic Institute

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