Voting still too hard for disabled

By Lee Hyo-sik

Staff reporter

A group advocating the rights of an estimated 4.8 million disabled people here is calling on the government to make it easier for people with disabilities to cast a ballot in the upcoming June 2 local and other future elections.

It is also urging political parties to select more handicapped candidates on their tickets and have those running for office pay greater attention to the welfare of the disabled.

At a press conference in Yeouido, Monday, the so-called "2010 Local Election Disabled Alliance" demanded the government make voting stations and other state-run facilities friendlier for individuals with various disabilities, insisting that it is almost impossible for the handicapped to vote at polling stations.

On March 10, 268 organizations advocating the rights of the handicapped launched the alliance in a bid to boost the political influence of Korea's nearly five million disabled people.

"The June 2 local elections are crucial not only for the entire country, but also for the millions of disabled people. We believe that this election should serve as a turning point for Korea to pay more attention to the well-being of the handicapped," the alliance said in a statement.

Standing on own feet

It argued that many disabled citizens would be forced to give up rights to vote if no modifications are made to polling stations, urging the National Election Commission (NEC) to provide all necessary support for voters with disabilities and publish pamphlets and make other election-related materials accessible to them.

The alliance also demanded that election candidates come out with a comprehensive package of pledges to help the disabled stand on their feet, expand employment opportunities in the public sector, and boost the public welfare of disabled females.

"It is difficult for those in wheelchairs to go to a polling station as people can only enter and exit by using stairs. Additionally, the visually-impaired do not have access to information on candidates and other election-related issues. What the government should do first is to make it possible for the disabled to cast their ballots across the country," said Lee Hyun-il, spokesman for the Korea Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities.

He said broadcasters should air candidates' speeches and other election-related information with subtitles for the hearing-impaired and with sign language for the speech-impaired. Candidates and the National Election Commission should also publish pamphlets on candidates and voting procedures in Braille for the visually-impaired.

Lee then said political parties should allow a certain number of disabled people to run on their tickets. "Nearly 10 percent of Korea's population is disabled in some way. In a democracy, it means 10 percent of municipal positions should be occupied by disabled individuals. Additionally, the government and political parties should introduce a range of measures to improve their livelihoods."

To reflect these concerns, the National Human Rights Commission said Monday that it will monitor polling places across the nation on election day by mobilizing 113 personnel to check whether the voting rights of the disabled are adequately taken into consideration.

The commission has also been monitoring whether political parties and candidates have made it easier for the handicapped to gain access to their websites, and the NEC has provided necessary election-related information through means accessible to people with varying disabilities.

The election watchdog also said it will do everything it can to help the disabled cast their votes by providing a range of assistance, including a transport service for those who are confined to a wheelchair.