EU Disability Card as proof of eligibility for assistance at polling stations

In March 2026, Autism-Europe welcomed an important step forward by Italy in the field of political participation of persons with disabilities. During the referendum held on 22 and 23 March, Italy became the first country to allow voters with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities to use the European Disability Card as sufficient proof of eligibility when requesting assistance at polling stations. As a result, they no longer needed to obtain additional medical certificates or administrative confirmations.

According to Autism-Europe, this change represents much more than a simple administrative simplification. It serves as an example of good practice, demonstrating how EU Member States can also use the European Disability Card to promote the exercise of fundamental rights, including the right to political participation.

In Italy, the right to vote for persons with intellectual disabilities had already been recognized, but in practice numerous barriers made it difficult to exercise. Even minor challenges, such as independently folding the ballot paper, could result in a vote being declared invalid due to the rules on ballot secrecy. The requirement to obtain medical documentation in advance also placed an additional burden and caused stress for many people.

The new arrangement allows the European Disability Card to serve as immediate and universally recognized proof of eligibility for voting assistance. This makes the electoral process more accessible, dignified, and less bureaucratic.

Autism-Europe emphasizes that people with autism and people with intellectual disabilities across Europe continue to face numerous barriers to political participation. Among the key challenges, the organization highlights the lack of accessible information, inadequately adapted electoral procedures, limited awareness of the right to reasonable accommodations, and prejudices regarding decision-making abilities.

According to the organization, the Italian example demonstrates that the European Disability Card can go beyond its original purpose of facilitating mobility and become an important tool for exercising other rights. Autism-Europe therefore calls on other Member States to take an ambitious approach when transposing the European directive and to use the card as a means of promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in everyday life and democratic processes.