Empowering Deaf Society – Your Vote, Your Voice
Making Democracy Accessible for Deaf Londoners
The Your Vote, Your Voice project was delivered by Empowering Deaf Society (EDS) with funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) Democratic Participation Grant Programme. The project was developed to address the barriers that prevent many Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users from fully participating in democratic life.
Although democracy should be accessible to everyone, many Deaf people continue to face significant communication barriers. Political information, election guidance and public consultations are often unavailable in British Sign Language, limiting opportunities for Deaf people to understand their rights, engage with elected representatives and influence decisions affecting their communities.
Working alongside partners including the Greater London Authority, UK Parliament and community organisations, the project demonstrated how removing communication barriers creates greater inclusion, stronger communities and more representative democracy.
The project responded to these challenges by providing accessible democratic education through British Sign Language. Through workshops, parliamentary visits, presentations, community engagement events and direct interaction with decision-makers, participants gained the knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to become active citizens.
Project Impact
During the project:
-
244 under-registered and under-represented Londoners participated.
-
86% of participants identified as Deaf or disabled.
-
100% of participants surveyed said they were more likely to register to vote.
-
90% reported they were more likely to vote at the next available election.
-
Participants demonstrated increased understanding of Parliament, local government and democratic processes.
-
Deaf participants reported greater confidence communicating with elected representatives and participating in consultations.
-
Community organisations developed stronger partnerships with democratic institutions and public bodies.
The project successfully increased democratic awareness while helping Deaf Londoners recognise that their voices matter and that they have an important role in shaping public policy.
Project Activities
Understanding Your Rights and the Parliamentary Process – held 7th February 2025
The project began with an interactive civic education workshop introducing participants to the UK's democratic system. Delivered entirely in British Sign Language, the workshop explored:
-
How Parliament works
-
The roles of the House of Commons and House of Lords
-
The responsibilities of Members of Parliament
-
The role of local councils and regional government
-
How legislation is debated and passed
-
How public decisions affect everyday life
Participants also learned practical ways to engage with democracy, including:
-
Registering to vote
-
Understanding different elections
-
Contacting MPs, Assembly Members and councillors
-
Responding to public consultations
-
Using petitions and campaigns to influence change
The workshop encouraged open discussion about the barriers Deaf people experience when accessing political information and explored practical solutions to improve participation.
Parliamentary Health and Social Care Oral Questions Visit on Tuesday, 6th May 2025
Participants visited the Houses of Parliament to observe Health and Social Care Oral Questions in the House of Commons. For many, this was their first experience inside Parliament.
The visit enabled participants to witness democracy in action by observing Ministers answering questions from Members of Parliament and understanding how government is held accountable.Participants also learned about:
-
Parliamentary debates
-
Ministerial accountability
-
The legislative process
-
Public scrutiny of government
-
Parliamentary accessibility
The experience helped transform Parliament from a distant institution into one that participants felt they could understand, engage with and access.
Empowered through British Sign Language: Celebrating Deaf People, Culture and Language - held Wednesday, 7th May 2025
This event celebrated Deaf identity and highlighted British Sign Language as an essential part of creating an inclusive democracy. Through presentations and group discussion, participants explored:
-
Deaf culture and identity
-
The recognition and importance of British Sign Language
-
Equal access to public information
-
Civic participation through accessible communication
-
The contribution of Deaf communities to London
The event reinforced that accessible communication is fundamental to equality and democratic participation.
Breaking Barriers: Political Parties Connect with the Deaf Community held Friday, 16th May 2025
This unique engagement event created a direct dialogue between Deaf Londoners and representatives from political parties.
Held in a fully accessible British Sign Language environment, participants discussed issues affecting their daily lives, including:
-
Healthcare
-
Education
-
Employment
-
Housing
-
Transport
-
Equality
-
Accessibility
For many attendees, this was the first opportunity to engage directly with political representatives in their own language. The event strengthened relationships between Deaf communities and political institutions while demonstrating the importance of accessible public engagement.
Parliamentary Process and London Democracy Presentation held on Tuesday, 20th May 2025
This presentation focused on London's democratic structures and how decisions affecting Londoners are made. Participants explored:
-
The role of the Greater London Authority
-
The responsibilities of the Mayor of London
-
The London Assembly
-
Local authority decision-making
-
Public consultations
-
Community participation
-
Influencing local policy
The session encouraged participants to become active contributors to future consultations and democratic processes across London.
Project Highlights
Accessible Democracy at City Hall
Empowering Deaf Society presented its work on improving civic participation for Deaf Londoners at City Hall. We highlighted the importance of delivering democratic education in British Sign Language and also demonstrated how accessible communication enables Deaf people to participate equally in public life. Representatives from the Greater London Authority, voluntary organisations, funders and community partners came together to exchange learning, celebrate achievements and explore future opportunities for collaboration.