Fundto helpwith election support

The Access to Elected Office Fund (Scotland) is now open for disabled people hoping to stand in the Local Government Election on Thursday, May 5.

The fund pays for practical support to allow disabled people to fully participate in the political process.

This covers reasonable adjustments that level the playing field between disabled and non-disabled candidates, but not general campaign costs.

Applicants do not need to have been selected yet nor do they need to be members of a party to apply for the Fund.

In the 2017 Scottish local council elections, there were 39 disabled candidates supported by the Access to Elected Office Fund (Scotland). Of these candidates, 15 were elected, representing four different political parties in 12 different councils.

The fund also supported 14 candidates during the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections. Details can be found at the Inclusion Scotland website.