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Understanding voting barriers for Autistic People

We are conducting this research to better understand autistic people's experiences of voting, engaging with elections, and participating in the democratic process. While democracy relies on everyone having an equal opportunity to have their voice heard, autistic people may face barriers that make it more difficult to register to vote, access information about candidates and policies, cast a vote, or participate in political and civic life more broadly.
We want to learn about both the challenges and the positive experiences autistic people have encountered. Your feedback will help identify what works well, what barriers exist, and what changes could make elections and democratic participation more accessible and inclusive for autistic people.
The survey is open to autistic adults, whether formally diagnosed, self-identified, or currently seeking assessment. Participation is entirely voluntary and anomymous, and you may skip any questions you do not wish to answer. Responses will be treated confidentially.
The survey should take approximately 7 minutes to complete.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. Your voice is important and will help inform recommendations to improve democratic participation and accessibility for autistic people.
1.What best describes you?
2.Do you have a learning disability (other than autism, which is not a learning disability in itself)?
3.Do you vote? For example, did you vote in the last general or local election?
4.How often do you participate in elections?
5.Are you
6.What motivates you to vote or would motivate you to vote if you usually don't vote?
7.Are autism and disability specific policies important for your voting decisions?
8.What are the barriers for you to vote?
9.Are you aware of the option to vote by post?
10.Are you registered to vote?
11.Rate the following challenges you face when voting.
Not a challenge
Minor challenge
Moderate challenge
Significant challenge
Major challenge
Understanding voting process
Understanding the policies of different parties
Understanding how different policies are relevant to your, affect you
Accessing polling stations
Communication difficulties
Sensory overload
Lack of support
12.What support would help you overcome the barriers and vote?
13.Rate the following supports that could help you participate in voting.
Not helpful
Slightly helpful
Moderately helpful
Very helpful
Extremely helpful
Help registering to vote
Help registering for postal vote
Clear accessible information
Accessible polling stations
Assistance from others
Quiet voting environment
Postal voting options
14.Describe a situation where you faced difficulties in voting due to autism.
15.What improvements would encourage you to vote more often?
16.Would you participate in an online debate between parties as part of the audience?
17.Would you:
Thank you very much for taking time to answer this survey. It would help us to consider support to increase the democratic participation of autistic people.