Blog: Understanding the Access to Elected Office Fund

The decision of whether to stand for election starts long before any formal selection process begins. It is a question that sits alongside worries about time, confidence, support, and whether candidacy feels manageable.

For disabled people, those questions can feel more pressing. It is not just about whether standing is something you want to do, but whether it is something you could realistically sustain in the face of immeasurable barriers to access.

But support is available. The Access to Elected Office Fund can remove the financial barriers by covering the additional impairment-related costs that come with standing for election. As Scotland looks ahead to the 2027 local elections, making sure people know about this support is essential in ensuring that more people can run for elected office.

What is the Access to Elected Office Fund?

The Access to Elected Office Fund provides financial support to disabled people standing for election by covering additional impairment-related costs. The support you can receive depends on your individual circumstances and wants, but often includes:

• Assistive technology,
• Coaching,
• Communication support, such as BSL interpreters or speech-to-text services,
• Personal assistance,
• Travel reimbursement,
• And other adjustments needed to take part fully in selection processes and campaigning.

At its core, the Fund is intended to ensure that disabled candidates are not priced out of participation. Standing for election already carries financial and personal demands, but the costs of inaccessible systems or impairment-related barriers should not be the deciding factor in whether someone is able to stand.

Understanding disability

One of the most common reasons people do not explore the Fund is a simple assumption that it is not meant for them.

Disability is still often understood in narrow terms, shaped by visible impairments or formal, medicalised labels. In practice, the range of experiences that can create barriers to standing for election is much wider.

People may find that the side effects of medication affect their energy levels or concentration over the course of a campaign. A mental health condition might make certain aspects of public engagement more challenging without the right support in place. Long-term health conditions can shape how someone travels, plans their time, or manages unpredictable schedules. Experiences of stereotyping or discrimination, particularly where physical differences are visible, can influence how accessible campaigning feels in practice. Yet much of this is lived experience that can add value to a candidate’s decision making in office.

Neurodivergence is another area where the impact is often underestimated. Someone with a childhood diagnosis of dyslexia, for example, may have developed strategies that allow them to manage effectively in everyday life. Standing for election, however, introduces a different set of pressures. The volume of reading, the pace of communication, and the need to respond quickly across multiple channels all at once can all place additional strain on those systems.

In that context, support such as assistive technology, one-on-one coaching, or new organisational strategies can make a significant difference. It can shift the experience from one of coping to one where a candidate is able to participate fully and confidently.

When considering whether the Fund is appropriate for a candidate and their campaign, it is important to remember that disability is about the barriers a person encounters, rather than the labels they use. Where those barriers exist, the Fund is there to provide support.

Looking ahead to 2027

Although the next local elections may seem some distance away, the pathway to standing begins well in advance.

Prospective candidates are already building connections within their communities, engaging with local party structures, and considering whether they are ready to take that step. Selection processes can begin early, and confidence often develops gradually over time.

Awareness of the Access to Elected Office Fund needs to form part of that early picture. Without it, people may decide against standing before they have had the chance to fully consider what support could be available.

Encouraging a broader range of candidates is not simply a matter of principle. It has practical implications for the quality of local decision-making. Disabled people bring perspectives and experiences that are essential to understanding how policies affect communities in reality.

For those considering standing

If you are thinking about standing for election, even at an early stage, it is worth taking the time to explore what support exists.

Many people approach the process assuming they will need to manage additional barriers on their own, but in practice, there may be options available that make the experience more accessible and sustainable.

You do not need to have a fully developed plan before seeking information. In many cases, understanding what support is available can help shape your approach from the outset, making it easier to navigate the steps ahead.

Standing for election is a significant commitment, but it should be defined by your priorities, your ideas, and your connection to your community. It should not hinge on whether you are able to absorb the additional costs or pressures that can come with disability.

If you have any questions or want to learn more, contact Inclusion Scotland at civicparticipation@inclusionscotland.org.

The role of parties and civic organisations

While the Fund is an important resource, its reach depends heavily on whether people know it exists.

Political parties, local branches, and civic organisations are often the first point of contact for prospective candidates. The way information is shared at that stage can influence who goes on to stand.

There are practical steps you can take that can help ensure the Fund is part of that conversation:

• Share information about the Fund routinely within local networks
• Highlight it to potential candidates, rather than waiting for individuals to ask
• Include access and support as a standard part of discussions during selection processes
• Encourage an environment where seeking adjustments is understood as part of enabling participation

Taking these steps does not require significant structural change, but it can have a meaningful impact on who feels able to come forward.

Opening up the path into politics

The Access to Elected Office Fund is one part of a wider effort to make political life more accessible.

Removing financial barriers is a practical and necessary step, but it also signals a broader recognition that participation is not evenly distributed and that change is required to address that.

As preparations for 2027 continue, there is an opportunity to ensure that more people are not only aware of the Fund, but feel confident in using it.

A more representative local government does not happen by chance. It is shaped by the decisions made in the run up to an election, including who is encouraged to stand and what support is made visible to them.

Ensuring that disabled people are aware of, and able to access all possible support available is a crucial part of that process.

Apply

To apply for the fund or for more information, please contact Inclusion Scotland’s Civic Participation Team civicparticipation@inclusionscotland.org