Campaign Letter - Write to your local MP
We know that there are thousands of you who feel passionately about the right to accessible formats but by expressing your views to your local MP in writing you are showing them that voters believe this is an important issue. The success of this campaign depends on people like you putting pressure on the people who want to represent you in parliament.
How to contact your MP
If you don't know who your local MP is, you can look them up on the internet at UpMyStreet.com (external link) or one of the other website listed at the bottom of this page.
The postal address for all MPs is: [their name] MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
Alternatively, you can also send them a fax for free online, by going to WriteToThem.com (external link).
What to write
A letter in your own words is a hundred times better than a template letter but if you find yourself stuck for words then this sample letter might help:
[their name] MP,
House of Commons,
London.
SW1A 0AA
Dear [name of MP],
My son/daughter/student/friend is dyslexic/visually impaired/print impaired. He has difficulty in school/college because his text books aren't converted into alternative formats to help him cope with his disability. My understanding is under the DDA and the DED he/she has rights to receive his/her books and other learning materials in an accessible format. My son's/ daughter's school doesn't feel that any funding exists for this service and so are unable to provide a proper service. Please advise me how the Government propose to deal with this?
Yours Sincerely,
[Sign your name]
You may also like to include the following points:
- only 12% of maths and 8% of science GCSE textbooks in England are available in accessible formats
- no text books prescribed by the Northern Ireland or Welsh exam boards for Key Stage 4 are available in any accessible format
- when students with literacy problems are exposed to learning materials in the form of combined audio and text, their exam scores can increase by almost 40%
- none of the atlases or dictionaries widely used at Key Stage 4 are available in accessible formats
Useful Links:
- Add your name to a petition to encourage publishers to make more titles available as talking books (external link).
- Find your local MP (UK) postcode search from Upmystreet.com (external link)
- Writetothem.com Find your local MP (external link)
- Find out more about your MP at TheyWorkForYou.com (external link)