People with learning disabilities urged to vote

People taking part in the wokshop
The workshop offered help and advice ahead of election day [BBC]

People with learning disabilities in Cornwall have been given extra help to encourage them to vote.

A workshop was held in Truro on Saturday to explain the process of voting and the support on offer.

The event was organised by a group of disability stakeholders in the county.

They said it is vital the UK's 1.1m adults with learning disabilities have their say.

Angie Emrys-Jones
Angie Emrys-Jones, from Cornwall Downs Syndrome Support, said there is help available [BBC]

"It's important that people with a learning disability can understand that there are reasonable adjustments which can be made around voting," said Angie Emrys-Jones, from Cornwall Downs Syndrome Support.

"You can have someone come into the booth with you or make the mark for you.

"You can also have someone read out the list of candidates to help you better understand what's happening.

"There's lots of help to go to vote and it is your right to vote."

Among the other participating groups were the group Time2Shine, and Disability Cornwall.

Marie Whitehurst, from Disability Cornwall, praised the response to the workshop.

"I think it's been really successful today.

"People who didn't know quite know about voting or the importance of voting, or even how to vote.

"Now they have that knowledge."

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