Introduction Additional benefits of disability inclusive elections programming include: More Inclusive Government Policies Elections programming can lead to more inclusive government policies across the board. If persons with disabilities demonstrate their numbers and interests at the ballot box, politicians will be more inclined to develop policies that appeal to this base, such as inclusive education, employment, transportation and health care. By participating in political life, persons with disabilities have the opportunity to affect wide-ranging policies. For example, the electoral process often includes electoral legal framework review. This provides an opportunity to get progressive legal concepts about disability into high-profile national legislation. Empowered DPOs as Effective Civil Society Leaders A man uses a ramp to push his daughter into a polling center on Election Day in Guatemala. DPOs can be well placed for political activism, as they are most often already organized through different types of support groups and networks and, with some technical assistance, can be mobilized as a dynamic, enthusiastic segment of civil society. DPOs are, in some ways, ahead of the curve compared to more nascent civil society organizations that may not have a clear constituency or focused set of issues that are deeply felt and require political action. While many DPOs may still require additional capacities to effectively engage in politics, their fundamental characteristics provide them a strong foundation for political organizing and activism. Greater Inclusion of All Citizens Inclusive election programming can also open the process to other citizens. Many reforms targeting persons with disabilities typically benefit a much wider segment of the population. For example, simplifying the voter registration process is beneficial for persons with intellectual disabilities, as well as older people, immigrants and those who have low literacy skills. Ensuring polling stations are physically accessible benefits parents with strollers, older people and voters with temporary injuries, such as a broken leg. This concept – that all buildings, materials and processes are designed to be accessible for persons both with and without disabilities – is known as universal design. Openings to Address Barriers for Wider Population Assistance to local partners living under repressive regimes in conducting advocacy can sometimes be started with activities that will not be perceived as a “threat” to the government. EMBs that are not willing to discuss wide-ranging reforms are often willing to discuss a typically neutral issue like improving election accessibility for persons with disabilities. Access for other marginalized groups can be politically contentious, but this is a unique instance where “charitable” attitudes of government officials toward persons with disabilities can often lead to an increase in rights. Initial discussions of disability rights can Equal Access: How to Include Persons with Disabilities in Elections and Political Processes 21