Access to Elected Office Fund
The Access to Elected Office Fund provides grants to disabled people who are standing as candidates in Scottish elections. The Fund covers any additional costs disabled people may face when campaigning, such as personal assistants, BSL interpreters, accessible transport, coaching and specialist equipment, or any other support that helps to remove barriers to political participation.
You can apply to the Fund by contacting Inclusion Scotland by email. More information about eligibility and what support is available can be found on the Inclusion Scotland website. Inclusion Scotland staff will also provide advice if you are unsure what costs may be covered.
Who Can Apply 
The Fund is open to anyone who experiences barriers linked to disability, including:
Disabled people
Neurodivergent people
People with long-term health conditions
People with sensory impairments
- People with mental health conditions
What Support Looks Like
The Fund can cover practical, disability-related costs directly connected to your campaign, such as:
Assistive or accessible technology
Communication support (for example, BSL interpreters or speech-to-text reporters)
Personal assistants or support workers while campaigning
Accessible transport
- Coaching or training to support your campaign goals
How It Works
We know applying for funding can feel like a lot, so the process is supportive and straightforward:
Get in touch: Email civicparticipation@inclusionscotland.org to let us know you’re interested.
Chat about your needs: You’ll speak with Ellen Blunsdon, our Access to Elected Office Coordinator, about the barriers you might face.
Plan your support: Together, we’ll identify the reasonable adjustments or resources that would make a difference.
- Get funded: Once agreed, we’ll fund your support so you can focus on your campaign, not the extra costs.
Why It Matters
Representation matters. When disabled people are in elected office, policy decisions are better informed and more inclusive. The Access to Elected Office Fund exists to make sure more of us can bring our lived experience into politics, not as a token gesture, but as equal participants shaping Scotland’s future.
If you’re planning to stand, or just want to find out more, get in touch at friends at Inclusion Scotland.
Email: civicparticipation@inclusionscotland.org
Website: https://inclusionscotland.org/
