Election 2017 who should i vote for

Like the Conservative manifesto, it places prominence on what they have previously done in terms of legislation, referring to the need to enhance the Equality Act , which they implemented, and they suggest that that they would ensure that disability hate crime against women will be reported alongside action to be put into place on how to tackle these issues.

However, it is not clear on how this would function, costed or whether there would be something similar for young adults and children who have disabilities who need care and support as much as older people.

Unsurprisingly, this manifesto emphasises that the Conservatives have let down people with disabilities. These are strong words, and words I expect that will be understood by people with disabilities who have been on the end of benefit cuts. Labour promises to give British Sign Language full recognition as a language in its own right.

Furthermore, Labour promises to tackle discrimination, remove barriers and ensure that social security delivers dignity and empowerment, not isolation and stigma for people with disabilities — although it does not explain how this will be done, and this will be a hard task. Labour gives a nod to people with Autism Spectrum Disorders in that will work with employers, trade unions and public services to improve awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace and in society.

Again, how this will happen and how this will be costed is a problem, and this will not be easy to implement. Unlike the Conservative Party, the Labour website includes Braille, large print, easy read and audio versions. The Liberal Democrats refer to a couple of specific ideas they would implement if they were in power relating to disability.

My problem with this is that the groups mentioned have been characterised into one group essentially, and many people within these groups would not be happy with this.

It strikes me that the Liberal Democrats see individuals as the problem rather than the criminal justice system itself. I think many would understand this and maybe agree, but if this is about driving up school standards, does that mean the quicker people are identified with SEN, the better the standards and results from other students?

It just feels to me that the individual person is being identified as a problem rather than the educational system itself. The last reference to people with disabilities is similar to the Conservatives, in that the Liberal Democrats would seek to raise awareness and expand access to work for people with disabilities — although if people with disabilities are not meeting the standards in education see previous point , will they ever be able to or allowed to work anyway?

The only good part for people with disabilities in this manifesto is that it provides easy access to BSL, braille, easy read and audio versions of the manifesto — although I am not sure people with disabilities will want to read what the Liberal Democrats have planned.

I have no doubt that UKIP will lose support and votes as a result of their ignorance for people with disabilities. Nevertheless, UKIP do provide some mentions relating to disability, and it all relates to benefits and work in some way, which will not be a surprise to most people.

UKIP promises to make sure those with on-going health care needs choose where they wish to live, unless they are unable to make that choice themselves, or care at home becomes unviable.

They do not state how this will be paid for and how would work in reality. UKIP go on to mention their belief that Work Capability Assessments are not fit for purpose, and they would seek to reform this, and they would not cut disability benefits. They also suggest that they would assess so potentially not do anything at all the barriers faced by disabled people to enter employment, and indicate what specialist employment support will be needed for those who are ready for work.

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