Glitzy award ceremony took place in Vienna

An easy-read voting guide created to empower people with learning disabilities as a guide to voting in UK elections has won a global award.

Enable Scotland has been recognised by Zero Project for its #EnableTheVote campaign, an initiative set up to recognise the most innovative solutions to problems that people with disabilities face.

The disability charity received the award at a ceremony in Vienna that celebrated more than 70 projects from 42 countries.

In addition to the guide, Enable produced voting factsheets for family members and support workers, and run voting workshops and accessible hustings ahead of elections.

Theresa Shearer, chief executive of Enable Scotland, said: “Through #EnableTheVote Scotland seeks to ensure that everyone who has a learning disability has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote with confidence, enabled with the tools to make an informed choice and have their voice heard.

“As an organisation with our members we have long-campaigned for a society that recognises the positive contribution people who have a learning disability have on our society, as well as their right to live the lives they choose and be valued in communities of their choosing. Voting is one of the most powerful ways that people with learning disabilities can have their say and in doing so, help build a fair and equal society for us all.”

According to a 2014 survey by Mencap, 70% of people who have a learning disability want to vote, but more than half find the process too difficult.

On average, only 30% of people who have a learning disability vote in elections.