Providing a Voice for Deaf and Disabled People
At Harrow Association of Disabled People (HAD), we believe that everyone should have access to clear, relevant information before casting their vote. This is especially important for Deaf and Disabled people, whose lives are directly shaped by decisions made at a local level.
Too often, the issues that matter most to our community are overlooked or misunderstood. From accessible housing to transport, from the cost of living to wider inclusion, these everyday realities determine independence, safety, and quality of life.
That’s why we brought together Deaf and Disabled people to directly question local election candidates.
The event created a space where lived experience was centred, and where candidates were asked to respond to the real concerns of our community. We were pleased to see a strong turnout, both in person and online, showing just how important these conversations are.
For those who couldn’t attend, or who want to revisit the discussions, we’ve made key sections of the event available to watch:
Candidate Introductions
Accessible Housing
Accessible Transport
Cost of Living
These discussions highlight the key issues facing Deaf and Disabled people in Harrow today. They also show why it is essential that our community is informed, engaged, and able to hold decision-makers to account.
Voting is one of the most direct ways we can influence change, but it only works if we have the information we need.
We encourage everyone, especially Deaf and Disabled residents, to watch, share, and reflect on these conversations before voting.
Because informed choices lead to stronger communities.
Centring lived experience in candidate Q&As is exactly what makes these events meaningful, especially when topics like accessible housing and transport are often treated as afterthoughts. I’ve seen similar gaps in other areas — like how payment methods are designed for different user needs, something I read about at https://paysafecasinoschweiz.com — and it always comes back to listening to the people actually affected. Making the videos available afterwards is a smart touch too, since not everyone can join live.