While providing direct financial assistance can be part of the equation, there are many additional ways to include persons with disabilities in elections and political processes, starting with their involvement in program-planning decisions. This means that persons with disabilities and disabled persons’ organizations (DPOs) should always have a voice in programs that affect them. The principle of “nothing about us without us” is a cornerstone of disability inclusion. Persons with disabilities and disabled persons’ organizations should always have a voice in programs that affect them. The principle of “nothing about us without us” is a cornerstone of disability inclusion. About this Manual The Equal Access: How to Include Persons with Disabilities in Elections and Political Processes manual aims to provide local and national governments, international organizations, civil society groups, development professionals and donors with the tools and knowledge to strengthen the political participation of persons with disabilities in elections and political process programs so they have a greater voice in decisions that impact their welfare and communities. The manual draws on experiences from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and places emphasis on partnerships with election management bodies (EMBs) and organizations run by and for persons with disabilities. Benefits of Disability Inclusive Elections Programming Inclusion of persons with disabilities is fundamental to democracy. Without the inclusion of all citizens, a country is not a true democracy. Including persons with disabilities in political life also provides the basis for mainstreaming their inclusion in all aspects of society. During elections, the concept of citizenship is often featured in State and non-State media, and thus defined in the public conscious. This provides a unique opportunity to break down social stigmas by ensuring that persons with disabilities appear alongside other citizens as active participants in the political process. Persons with disabilities can play the same roles as all other citizens in the electoral process, including serving as election administrators or poll workers, voting, running for office, advocating for policies, monitoring the voting and counting process, reporting, educating voters and campaigning for candidates and political parties. Involvement in these different activities not only empowers persons with disabilities, but can also help transform the electoral process and public perception. This sets the stage for ongoing participation and integration in society, ensuring the equal rights of persons with disabilities. By empowering persons with disabilities to take their place alongside other citizens, barriers are broken down and equality is promoted. For example, hiring persons with disabilities to work at polling stations empowers individual poll workers and provides a valuable opportunity to eradicate stereotypes. Likewise, ensuring women with disabilities are involved in programs designed to increase the political participation of women provides an opportunity to shift perceptions about disability and gender. 20 International Foundation for Electoral Systems and National Democratic Institute