CONTACT: Daniela Colaiacovo, dcolaiacovo@ifes.

org, +1 (202) 350-6802 IFES Accepts InterAction Award for Disabilities Work, Expresses Concern over Threats to Voting Rights WASHINGTON (Aug. 10) The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is honored to accept InterActions 2011 Disability Inclusion Award recognizing significant work toward involving people with disabilities in political and civic life. The award will be presented today in Washington during InterActions 2011 Forum. InterAction, the largest alliance of international development agencies in the United States, cited IFES global efforts to increase voter participation and assist other organizations in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, as well as IFES inclusive internal policies, as reasons for IFES selection. IFES has demonstrated a long-term commitment to disability inclusion as a cross-cutting issue and actively involves people with disabilities and disabled peoples organizations throughout the process, InterAction said in a statement. The third-annual award will be given to IFES and a co-recipient, the International Rescue Committee. IFES has carried out disability inclusion work around the globe using a twin-track approach to project design. This approach incorporates the perspectives of persons with disabilities into each project while also developing specific initiatives to empower voters with disabilities at the polls and in public life. Projects range from involving individuals with Down Syndrome in electionplanning activities in Guatemala to building wheelchair access ramps outside polling centers in Armenia. IFES also is part of a coalition of nongovernmental organizations petitioning the European Commission for Democracy through Law also known as the Venice Commission to honor the full rights of persons with intellectual disabilities in its declaration on the participation of persons with disabilities in elections. The commissions draft declaration, which is up for further debate in October, recognizes the universal right to vote and prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. However, it also would allow courts to strip that right from individuals they perceive as having a lack of proper judgment to participate in elections. IFES is immensely proud of our efforts to create more inclusive political processes worldwide, said IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney. IFES believes no citizen should be denied the vote unless there is a compelling government interest. Our experience has shown no such reason for

individuals with disabilities, either physical or intellectual, to be kept out of the electoral process. If approved, the Venice Commissions declaration would serve as a model for election law around the world. IFES and its international partners will continue to work to protect the voting rights of all persons with disabilities and remove barriers to political participation in all parts of the world. ### IFES is an independent, nonprofit leader in election assistance and democracy promotion. Since its founding in 1987, IFES has worked in 133 countries, from developing to mature democracies. For more information, visit www.IFES.org.