Accessible Innovation in Tunisia: Civic and Voter Education through Collaboration

“Always try to change society.”

– Ghassen, member of the Icharti W Sawti working group

Civic and voter education are essential building blocks for an inclusive and representative democracy that fosters democratic cultures. Access to information enables people of all backgrounds to make informed choices and participate more effectively in public life. In return, such access allows people to advocate for their own rights and the rights of others. In Tunisia, persons with disabilities have limited access to these educational opportunities to strengthen their civic knowledge, understand elections, and actively participate in democratic processes. 

In response to these challenges, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) drew on its expertise and strong partnerships with the disability rights community in Tunisia to build an innovative new digital platform, Icharti W Sawti (“My Sign and My Voice”).   

Building on past disability  programming such as its sign language lexicon for Tunisians with disabilities and the Inclusive Democracy Exhibit, in 2022 IFES began development of Icharti W Sawti as an inclusive  multimedia source for civic education for all users. Icharti W Sawti emphasizes accessibility, with features such as written text, audio, sign language, and Easy-to-Read options that ensure the platform is accessible for persons with different types of disabilities. This resource also features a comprehensive digital library with opportunities for Tunisians to contribute to an ever-growing and evolving catalog of resources about democratic engagement.   

Due to IFES’s sustained engagement with community leaders with disabilities and their work on the platform, the design and development of the content is demonstrably more inclusive and relevant to persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, and other diverse community members. Working group members also participated in IFES’s leadership program for persons with disabilities, Engaging a New Generation for Accessible Governance and Elections, and then applied what they learned to platform development. Representing persons with all types of disabilities, a first in Tunisia, working group members engaged with one another across multiple training and meeting days, forming deeper connections within the disability community and making the entire experience a learning opportunity. As one member shared, “I learned many skills, particularly in leadership and communication within a great team. I also had the opportunity to learn about several types of disabilities with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity” and another: "In this opportunity, I was able to develop myself and found a team that also helped me grow. I was very shy, but now my confidence in myself is high.” One working group member even used their electoral knowledge to serve as deputy president of a polling station. 

Another milestone for the new platform was the launch event, attended by over 100 disability rights advocates, IFES staff, and working group members. The turnout reflected not only the dedication to the project and work that went into it, but also the importance of such a tool for Tunisians, bridging divides and increasing access to civic education for everyone. As one attendee shared, “this is the first time that I attended an event that was truly inclusive, managed from A to Z by persons with disabilities themselves.”  

IFES’s longstanding collaboration with the disability rights community in Tunisia continues as socializing and promoting the platform begins, supporting positive and inclusive democratic cultures to flourish. The goal, shared by all involved in the project, is for the platform to become a widely accessible platform across Tunisia. While accessible civic and voter education is critical, the collaboration that has gone into creating and growing the platform is critical for all people’s meaningful engagement in democratic processes. As one working group member shared, "I recommend users to follow the platform as it contains comprehensive content. I advise them to participate and engage in advocacy campaigns to defend our rights as people with disabilities." 

Visit Icharti W Sawti to explore the available civic and voter education resources. 

Since 2014, IFES Tunisia has worked to advance the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in public life, including their right to vote and partake in decision-making processes. IFES has partnered with the Ministry of Social Affairs to enhance the understanding of civic and electoral rights among special educators, learners with disabilities, and their families, ensuring a more informed community. Additionally, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, IFES Tunisia adapted its Democracy Awakening Toolkit into Braille for blind and low-vision students. 

This project was initiated by the International Foundation for Election Systems with the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).