Persons with Mental Health Problems, Intellectual Disabilities and the Right to Vote

The right to political participation of persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities is the subject of a report  by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. FRA Director, Morten Kjærum said: “The right to vote is a fundamental right of all EU citizens, including persons with disabilities. Some EU Member States should therefore adapt their laws so that persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities who wish to vote can do so. These individuals should be able to participate in society as other citizens do. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sends a clear message: it is not persons with disabilities who need to change to fit society, but society itself, which must adapt to the needs of persons with disabilities. ”