Disability Action Haringey

Disability Action Haringey was formed in 2020 with the aim of supporting disabled people in the London Borough of Haringey to maintain their independence and freedom. As an awardee of the GLA Voter ID Awareness Campaign fund, it ran a series of awareness-raising activities tailored towards the deaf and disabled communities of Haringey and Islington. This case study outlines the activities, learning and steps taken to further engage and interact with disabled communities in Haringey and surrounding boroughs.

Whilst engaging with members of the St John’s Deaf Community Centre in Manor House we carefully considered the tools and personnel required to deliver the key message of the campaign. We invited two British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and used a video with BSL overlay to ensure the information was communicated effectively and to optimise interaction with attendees to provide the necessary one-to-one support needed for those wishing to apply for appropriate photo ID to vote in person.

The response from the community was very encouraging. Its success was demonstrated in terms of attendance and the crucial feedback that was received from the beneficiaries to further improve our services. As an organisation working closely with disabled communities, we also appreciated the feedback regarding the speed of BSL interpretation on videos and how to further improve ways to reach out and engage with deaf residents of the borough who don’t regularly interact with the wider community and therefore are more isolated from crucial information.

We were able to assess current levels of approved photo ID ownership and subsequently offered help to individuals to apply for the most appropriate photo ID from the options available to them. Attendees at the event also appreciated the information they received to help improve their general awareness of when the elections would take place and where to cast their votes, in addition to the new photo ID requirements to vote in person.

The GLA Voter ID Awareness Campaign galvanised interest in voting and prompted a renewed interest in the electoral process within the group. Londoners from every sector of the community were encouraged to debate what was needed at a local level and across neighbouring boroughs. We were able to impartially inform, learn from and support the communities which we serve across London to access their democratic rights.

We look forward to maintaining and developing the new relationships that we have built through the process and working in partnership with the St John’s Deaf Community Centre, we aspire to further empower the wider community to grow and flourish.