Disabled Candidates Highlight Barriers Ahead of Senedd Election

Disabled candidates in the Senedd election share the physical, organizational, and societal barriers they face, emphasizing the need for greater representation and systemic change in Welsh politics.

Barriers Faced by Disabled Candidates in Senedd Election

Steep hills, low letter boxes, and widespread misconceptions are among the obstacles disabled candidates report encountering as they prepare for the upcoming Senedd election.

Disability Wales emphasized that these barriers—whether organizational, environmental, or attitudinal—are deeply embedded within the political system.

They noted that disabled individuals constitute over 20% of the population, meaning that with the expansion of the Senedd from 60 to 96 Members of the Senedd (MSs), approximately 19 disabled MSs would be needed for the Parliament to be truly representative.

BBC Wales interviewed candidates from various political parties to discuss their personal experiences with disability and politics.

Voters are scheduled to cast their ballots on Thursday.

Dr Gareth Thomas: First Full-Time Wheelchair User Candidate

Dr Gareth Thomas, a Reform candidate standing in the Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg constituency, was discharged from the army following a spinal cord injury and uses a wheelchair full-time.

If I got elected, I'd be the first full-time wheelchair user in the Senedd.

For me, that's shocking,

the 52-year-old said.

Thomas explained that campaigning in the traditional manner poses challenges for him.

I can't just go down people's paths and knock doors, because there's steps, there's all kinds of barriers... springs on gates.

So I can't campaign in the normal way you would see somebody door knocking.

When I've done it, I've gone out with a team, I've been on the kerbside.

If somebody wants to come talk to me, they can.

He expressed the view that disability is not prioritized in politics.

I think it really takes somebody with a disability to understand people with a disability to make that change, so that was why I got into politics, purely for disabled veterans and mental health,

he added.

Tina Thomas A man with grey hair and blue eyes smiles straight into the camera. He is wearing a red shirt with a navy jumper on top, and is sitting in a function room, with other people sat at tables behind him — Dr Gareth Thomas, who has worked for non-profit organisations and disability charities, says they struggled to get things done in the third sector

Jackie Charlton: Open and Proud About Deafness

Jackie Charlton, the Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, chose to be transparent about her deafness on her campaign leaflets.

I think there is something quite powerful if you can be open about it,

she said.

The county councillor received a cochlear implant eight years ago and has a hearing dog named Juno, which serves as a visible indicator of her disability.

It's a bit like having that lip speaker, something very visual people can link into and it makes overcoming barriers a lot, lot easier,

she explained.

Charlton felt a pressure to perform exceptionally well, fearing that any shortcomings might be attributed to her disability.

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Being visible as a disabled woman is incredibly important and I've always been loud and proud of being a woman, but have carried that forward in being loud and proud as somebody with a disability.

Welsh Liberal Democrats A woman with short grey hair, round brown glasses is looking directly into the camera. She is wearing a white shirt and brown and black check jacket, there are blurred houses and steep hills in the background — Jackie Charlton says she started in politics by campaigning on equality issues and disability is a part of that

Kayleigh Unitt: Representation for Young Disabled People

Kayleigh Unitt, a Plaid Cymru candidate for Fflint Wrecsam, has been open about her disability online for years as a content creator.

I couldn't find anybody with my condition making content and I just wanted to feel less alone.

I thought if I was that person for somebody else, then that's one less person who had to feel like me,

she said.

The 26-year-old, who has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and uses a walking stick and mobility scooter, avoids door knocking in hilly areas and instead focuses on social media campaigning.

A lot of people think if you're young you can't be disabled.

There's a certain age requirement before it's socially acceptable to need all of these things,

Unitt added.

Being that representation for younger people in general, even if they don't want to get into politics, but just to see somebody like them existing out there having a somewhat stable career and just living their life... knowing they can literally do anything.

Plaid Cymru A young woman with dark brown hair, wearing a green top with a necklace looks into the camera while smiling. The background is blurred out. It is a head and shoulders shot. — Content creator and candidate Kayleigh Unitt says representation is important to young people

Lisa Pritchard: Overcoming Confidence and Accessibility Barriers

Lisa Pritchard, standing for Welsh Labour in Afan Ogwr Rhondda, has lived with torticollis since birth and rheumatoid arthritis for much of her life.

She described difficulties in campaigning, such as reaching low-level letter boxes and accessing homes that are not disability-friendly.

I think a lot of disabled people don't feel confident enough.

I didn't, I never dreamt that I could represent anyone, so I think confidence is a massive barrier,

Pritchard said.

She also noted concerns about online trolling but emphasized the importance of disability representation.

It's very hard isn't it? When you look a little bit different and you're putting yourself forward, you can't really fade into the background.

So I think we have a thicker skin as disabled people anyway, because of barriers that we felt through most of our lives.

Lisa Pritchard A woman looking to the left of the image. She has white hair which has been dyed a light pink. She is door knocking and has leaflets in her right hand. She wears a dark blue coat and there are cars parked behind her on the street. — Lisa Pritchard says she can help educate non-disabled people about the barriers she faces

James Bennett: Neurodivergence and Campaigning Challenges

James Bennett, a Wales Greens candidate for Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, identifies as neurodivergent.

I think one of the big challenges I found is campaigning is hard.

It's tiring, and spending a lot of time out of the house, a lot of time on training sessions. It's been quite intense.

The 35-year-old discussed societal expectations of politicians.

There is an expectation to perform in a certain way, to present yourself in a certain way - and that's quite hard.

I don't want to be blaming the electorate for that,

Bennett said.

Their perceptions have been shaped by the media and the way other politicians have presented themselves.

He expressed hope that the increase in Senedd members would foster greater inclusivity.

That's a lot of people. That should encompass a whole range of different backgrounds.

Neurodivergent people should absolutely be a part of that,

he added.

James Bennett says disability representation is "not great" and hopes this election is an opportunity to have "representation of all kinds of voices"

Toby Jones: Advocating from a Family Perspective

Toby Jones, the Welsh Conservative candidate for Casnewydd Islwyn, is the father of a disabled child who uses a wheelchair full-time.

Ultimately the reason I wanted to be in elected politics is because of the lack of inclusion and how I feel that disabled people are sidelined a lot of the time,

he said.

The 44-year-old highlighted the challenges of accessing support.

Until you live it, you don't truly get it.

And that's not to sound condescending to those who don't, and there's a lot of very well-intended legislation, policy and people work in these areas but you do need that lived experience to truly get it,

he added.

Jones, a former political adviser, expressed hope for increased representation after the election.

We need to embrace some of the great mentoring schemes that are out there for disabled people to enter politics, but we need to break down the barriers to initially get disabled to even be candidates.