IFES received an award from the National Council for People with Disabilities (CONADI) in Guatemala for its work in the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the electoral process.

Ahead of the September 11, 2011, general election and the November 6 runoff election, IFES worked with Guatemala’s electoral commission, the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE), to increase access of persons with disabilities to polling centers.

Wheelchair-friendly ramps were installed at polling stations across Guatemala City and neighboring counties and the short section on voting rights of persons with disabilities in the poll worker handbook was enhanced and expanded to a 10-page manual.

The award was presented to IFES on November 23 at a ceremony held at the Pan-American Hotel, located in Guatemala City’s historic downtown area.

The TSE and the Central American Institute for Political Studies (INCEP) also received this inclusion award.

IFES’ work with the TSE was made possible through the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development.

Maria Eugenia Villagran, Chairwoman of the TSE; Max Zaldivar, IFES Chief of Party in Guatemala; and Catalina Soberanis, former Chairwoman of the Guatemala Congress and now Director of INCEP received the awards on behalf of their organizations.

For more information of IFES’ work in Guatemala, click here.