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 4 different political parties in 12 different councils. The Fund also supported 14 candidates during the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.
To express your interest in applying for the Access to Elected Office Fund please contact civicparticipation@inclusionscotland.org.
Further information can be found online: Inclusion Scotland website (opens new window)
For more on the Local Government Election, please visit: Local Government Election 2022 (opens new window)
