In the disability field, the global goal is "full participation and equality." This is a real challenge as our human societies from the beginning of time have been designed and constructed as if everyone could see, hear, walk around, and understand and react quickly and adequately to signals from the surrounding world.

This illusion is the main reason for the prevailing isolation and exclusion of those of us who happen to live with a disability. We find obstacles to participation in all sections of society. Some of these obstacles constitute serious infringements and violations of fundamental human rights.

One fundamental human right is the right to participate in general elections. This right covers voting and standing for election. In studies I have done as UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, I have found nations whose laws exclude certain groups of disabled citizens from voting. More common examples of exclusion include inaccessible polling stations and non-secret procedures.

I therefore welcome the initiative by IFES to follow elections in countries, study the existing arrangements for making the procedures accessible to voters with disabilities, and collect information on exclusion worldwide. As a result, we will have a better understanding of problems facing civic participation by people with disabilities and potential solutions.

One thing is certain: No government can claim full compliance with basic democratic principles without attacking problems leading to the exclusion of certain groups in society, such as people with disabilities, from civic participation. A nation claiming to follow democratic principles must demonstrate, not only in word, but also in action, that its electoral system is fully accessible and available to citizens with various types of disabilities.

The Hon. Bengt Lindqvist is the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Disability. Formerly he served as the Swedish Minister for Social Welfare and a member of the Swedish Parliament