DisElectAbility Ep 2.: From Activism to Action: Engaging Disabled Voters with Ciara McCarthy

06/20/24 • 56 min

Disability and General Elections: A Talk with Activist Ciara McCarthy

Join Ciara McCarthy, an award-winning disability activist, as she discusses the importance of disabled people's involvement in the general election. Ciara addresses challenges like voter accessibility, manifestos, political engagement, and the need for more representation of disabled individuals in politics. She emphasizes the significance of understanding party policies, the impact of COVID-19 on the disabled community, and the importance of mental health services. Throughout the conversation, Ciara advocates for better education on political systems and encourages voter participation, especially among young and disabled voters.

Episode Running Order:

00:00 Introduction to Disability Politics Podcast

02:26 The Importance of Voting for Disabled People

04:02 Challenges in Political Accessibility

05:36 Manifestos and Their Impact on Disabled Voters

09:24 Personal Political Views and Priorities

11:26 COVID-19 and Its Impact on Disabled Communities

20:05 Voter ID and Political Participation

22:16 Encouraging Disabled Representation in Politics

24:56 Education and Political Awareness

41:34 Mental Health Services and Transitioning

49:56 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Find out more about how to vote at this UK election (applies for UK citizens and of UK nationality only and are registered to vote): https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/election-2024

Find who is standing in your local constituency: https://whocanivotefor.co.uk

If you know more about the podcast: https://neurorainbowproject.com/diselectability

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disability and General Elections: A Talk with Activist Ciara McCarthy

Episode Running Order:

00:00 Introduction to Disability Politics Podcast

02:26 The Importance of Voting for Disabled People

04:02 Challenges in Political Accessibility

05:36 Manifestos and Their Impact on Disabled Voters

09:24 Personal Political Views and Priorities

11:26 COVID-19 and Its Impact on Disabled Communities

20:05 Voter ID and Political Participation

22:16 Encouraging Disabled Representation in Politics

24:56 Education and Political Awareness

41:34 Mental Health Services and Transitioning

49:56 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Find out more about how to vote at this UK election (applies for UK citizens and of UK nationality only and are registered to vote): https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/election-2024

Find who is standing in your local constituency: https://whocanivotefor.co.uk

If you know more about the podcast: https://neurorainbowproject.com/diselectability

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Kathy Macy Interview

Embracing Neurodiversity in Politics: Kathy Macy's Story

Kathy Macy is the Liberal Democrats PPC for Colne Valley standing against candidates from Green Party, Labour Party, Reform UK, Conservative and Unionist Party and Yorkshire Party. This podcast covers disability politics.

In this episode of Dis Elect Ability, we sit down with Kathy Macy, a soon-to-be PhD graduate and Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Coordinator at the University of West England. Kathy shares their journey as an autistic individual deeply involved in British politics, discussing their research on autism in the Stone Age, their political activities, and their belief in the importance of neurodiversity and inclusivity in contemporary society.

00:00 Introduction to Katharine Mac

03:07 The Importance of Neurodiversity

03:58 Personal Experiences with Autism

09:01 Political Involvement and Advocacy

18:30 Liberalism and Personal Beliefs

30:19 Roles and Responsibilities in the Party

32:23 Internal and External Campaigns

32:41 Benefits and Inflation

40:18 Disclosure and Representation

47:02 Voter Apathy and Political Engagement

01:03:17 Coalition Politics and Future Hopes

Get involved and get in touch if you want to be involved email [email protected] or contact @neurorainbowproject on social media and use the hashtag #DisElectAbility

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Paula Peters From Disabled People Against Cuts On The Need To Continue The Fight

Episode description:

Paula Peters: A Lifelong Activist for Disability Rights

In this heartfelt and compelling interview, Paula Peters recounts her journey as a disability rights activist starting from the age of eight. Paula discusses her personal struggles with hypermobility syndrome and the fight to keep hydrotherapy services available in Southeast London. She delves into her experiences within the mental health system, challenges with employment, and the impact of political decisions on disabled individuals. Peters highlights her involvement with Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), emphasizing their campaigning efforts, the importance of collective activism, and their fight against austerity and privatization of the NHS. The discussion also explores her views on the current political climate and the necessity of continued activism to secure the rights and dignity of disabled people. Trigger warnings include mentions of mental health struggles, psychiatric abuse, and the impacts of austerity measures.

Find out more about DPAC: https://dpac.uk.net/about/

Timings of episode running order:

00:00 Introduction to Paula Peters

00:15 Early Activism and Hydrotherapy Campaign

01:42 Mental Health Struggles and Advocacy

04:22 Joining DPAC and Fighting Austerity

14:53 Challenges in the Workplace

17:52 Issues in Mental Health System

22:24 Impact of Political Decisions on Mental Health

27:43 The Need for Systemic Change

31:28 Concerns Over Lifelong Disabilities and Government Reforms

35:06 The Impact of Political Parties on Disability Rights