Political participation of PWDs in QC

Title: 'What's in it for us? A study on the political participation of persons with disabilities in Quezon City

Abstract: This study examined the political participation of persons with disabilities in Quezon City. It sought to examine how personal factors, such as resources, psychology and recruitment, and the inaccessibility of the environment ultimately leads to disenfranchisement in the sector. A survey was conducted among 40 persons with hearing, orthopedic and visual disability in order to document their experiences during registration and election, the problems they encountered, and the possible solutions to these problems. Key informants such as the barangay focal persons, party-list representatives, and former and current government officials concerned with disability and voting have also been interviewed. Relevant election data were also gathered from the Commission on Elections. By looking at its initiatives, it has been found out that Comelec has incorporated measures in the registration process in order to accommodate persons with disabilities, with the exception of the Accessible Polling Place Act, whose implementation still needs improvement. Lastly, despite personal and environmental barriers preventing them from voting, there is no sufficient evidence to say that the inaccessibility of the election process leads to disenfranchisement, at least in Quezon City, particularly because many persons with disabilities try to work around the system in order to exercise this right.

Key Words: elections, disability, accessibility

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