Despite clear laws protecting their right to vote, citizens with intellectual disabilities still face real issues at the ballot box. 

From confusing, and non-publicised information, to inaccessible polling places, it’s a quiet form of exclusion that is rarely spoken about. 

Conor Barrett, from Leixlip, has a rare syndrome called ‘MYT1L’, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder.

He voted for his first time in the local elections last year and is excited to cast his vote for the presidential election on Friday October 24^th. 

For most of us, marking an X on a ballot paper is a given and could be taken for granted. 

But for Conor, who has an intellectual disability, it’s a moment that represents visibility, independence, and equality. 

The 27-year-old attends a day service called Stewarts and loves it, partaking in swimming there. 

He recently was chosen for swimming in the Irish Special Olympics next year and won an award for volunteering at the Arts Club in Leixlip. 

Conor thinks it is extremely important to vote and has said, “I’m voting for Catherine Connolly because I love her, I’ve watched her talking on TV.” 

With a love for following all current affairs, watching and listening to the news, keeping updated via Instagram and having his mother, Una, read him their local newspaper, ‘The Liffey Champion’, weekly, why wouldn’t he be able to vote? 

Conor’s mum, Una Barrett, has shared, “It’s absolutely his right as a citizen to vote, he has the capacity to also. When people with special needs vote, I feel it shows they have a voice, and it gives them confidence.” 

Una has also said how she never knew Conor could vote until just last year, despite him being eligible since he was 18 years of age. Una expressed how it was never said or told to their family and is calling for it to be publicised more. 

Another mother from Kildare, who wishes to remain anonymous, has a son with a severe to profound intellectual disability also did not know that her son had the right to vote and he missed his first referendum. 

No matter what disability, physical or intellectual, mild or profound, every single citizen of Ireland over the age of 18 has the right for their voice to be heard through their vote. 

This right isn’t just an idea, it is protected by the law. 

In 2018, Ireland signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).  

By signing it, the State promised to make sure that people with disabilities can “vote and be elected on an equal basis with others.” 

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters has made it clear that “Ireland legally upholds the right to vote for all persons with disabilities, without restrictions.” 

This means that if someone can’t get to a polling station because of a disability, such as those living in residential care or nursing homes, can apply for a postal or special vote.  

If they need help marking their ballot, they can ask a companion or a carer to enable them to vote. 

The Electoral Commission also says polling stations must be accessible, and extra supports are available to make sure everyone can cast their vote. 

Disability should never stand in the way of democracy, the challenge now is to make sure that these rights work in reality, as well as on paper. 

Parents and carers in Ireland are demanding for this information to be publicly known, so their family members don’t miss out on a single election or referendum from the day they turn 18.