The EnAble Fund for Elected Office ran from 3rd December 2018 to 31st March 2020 and that we hope the fund or some similar support will be available in the future.
Suspension of local elections due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
The Government has announced that local, Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections which were due to take place in 2020 have been postponed for a year.
The consequence of this is that the EnAble fund will no longer be operational from 1 April 2020. Read our statement.
Providing support for disabled candidates
The EnAble Fund for Elected Office is intended to cover the additional financial costs associated with a disability, that would otherwise prevent someone from seeking elected office. The Fund is provided by the Government Equalities Office and is administered by Disability Rights UK on behalf of the Local Government Association (LGA). The Fund was launched on 3rd December 2018, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and was due to end on 31st July 2020.
See our press release - DR UK welcomes the opportunity to administer the EnAble Fund
What can the fund pay for?
The Fund, which covers England only, can cover the cost of the reasonable adjustments required to enable someone to stand for elected office. This could include items such as BSL interpreters, Assistive Technology, a Personal Assistant to assist with specific tasks, or taxi fares where other modes of transport are not appropriate. The EnAble Fund for Elected Office supported disabled people seeking election in the Local Elections in May 2019 and will also cover the cost of reasonable adjustments for the Local Elections and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in May 2020.
What does the fund not cover?
It is important to note that the item(s) the Fund pays for, are items that without which, the applicant would not be able to seek elected office. For example, funding for taxis would only be considered where other forms of transport are not an option due to the nature of the applicant’s disability. Similarly, a Personal Assistant would have to be deemed necessary due to the person’s disability-related needs, as opposed to being used as “extra help”.
The overall aim of the Fund is to create a level playing field for disabled people - not to give anyone an unfair advantage. The Fund therefore cannot pay for any costs that are not considered a reasonable adjustment, such as costs directly associated with campaigning or campaign materials; nor can it pay for any ongoing reasonable adjustments or further support if the applicant is elected.
Who can apply?
To apply for the Fund you must have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
You must also have a genuine intention to seek elected office, for an election that takes place during the timescale of the fund, in England and within the remit of the LGA. This includes the Local Government Elections in May 2019 and the Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in May 2020.
How do I find out more?
To find out more about the Fund, how to apply and to discuss eligibility, please contact:
Telephone: 0330 995 0400 and select Option 1
E-mail: enablefund@disabilityrightsuk.org
Users of BSL can use the text to talk service through the ngts.org.uk app or by dialling 18001 followed by 0330 995 0400 (option 1) and the handler will relay between the deaf caller and DRUK.
