Within the framework of “VOICE”, a project promoting political participation among young adults with cognitive disabilities, several initiatives stand out, showing how education can overcome barriers. According to Inclusion Europe, 20,000 children with intellectual disabilities in Europe receive no education at all, while 700,000 attend special schools, limiting their political awareness. However, in countries where guardianship restrictions have been lifted, voter participation has increased, according to FRA.
Statistics indicate that empowerment programs such as Erasmus+ improve engagement, with 65% of schoolchildren gaining a better understanding of political issues. VOICE, running for 24 months, fosters collaboration networks at the European level and develops tools for trainers and educators that strengthen self-confidence and inclusion, based on data from the European Commission. In Greece, where 1% of the population has cognitive disabilities, election participation rates drop due to the lack of accessible materials, according to FRA research.
These initiatives demonstrate that with targeted education and policies, democratic participation can become a reality for all, strengthening social cohesion within the EU. They confirm that education is the key to integrating individuals with cognitive disabilities into society and democracy, and that through projects and initiatives such as “VOICE”, the EU can build a fairer society where everyone has a voice and equal opportunities.
- FRA – Political participation of people with disabilities
- FRA – More people with disabilities can vote but barriers remain
- Inclusion Europe – Press release
- Inclusion Europe – Elect and be elected
- Inclusion Europe – Use your vote
- Social Europe – Intellectual disability: escaping from neglect
- Humanium – Inclusive education for children with disabilities in Europe