Judith Heumann, the United States Department of State Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, met with IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney to talk about IFES’ initiatives to increase access to the ballot for people with disabilities around the world. Heumann gave IFES many valuable recommendations and offered her support. 

Among the topics she discussed were the areas where people with disabilities still lack access. As the world population’s life expectancy rises and a growing number of people can be expected to develop disabilities, the need to ensure the disabled are included in the political process is more urgent than ever.

In many of the countries where IFES works, persons with disabilities are excluded from voting and running for office. IFES views this as a violation of human rights. In all of its projects, IFES looks for ways to ensure this segment of the population is considered and involved. Meeting with individuals like Heumann who have so much experience and success in this area is a powerful way for IFES to remain proactive in advancing this human right.

To listen to an excerpt of Heumann and Sweeney’s conversation:

Part I »

Part II »