During the recent House of Representatives elections, the municipality of Westerveld took a special step towards a more inclusive society. Four polling duos were active at the polling stations in various villages within the municipality, including Dwingeloo, Diever, Uffelte and Zorgvlied.
These incentive duos consist of people with a distance to the labor market and polling station heads who work together to make the voting process accessible and understandable for everyone.
The term ‘stimulating’ refers to stimulating encounters between people with and without intellectual disabilities. The aim is to learn from each other and understand each other better by undertaking activities together. Councilor Geke Kiers of DSW took the initiative for this inclusive approach, which was realized with the help of the social domain of the municipality and Reestmond, the municipal social work facility.
Appointment letter
The Reestmond prokkel employees receive a symbolic appointment letter from the municipality of Westerveld and are then linked to a polling station head. Together they participate in the work at the polling station, such as welcoming voters and checking ballot papers. This collaboration emphasizes the power of people who normally participate less easily in the labor process.
The Prokkel Foundation encourages interaction between organizations, companies, private individuals and people with intellectual disabilities to undertake activities together. The municipality of Westerveld not only promotes the prokkel week, an annual week full of activities, but also the prokkel internship day. Reestmond plays a supporting role in the development of people who are distanced from the labor market, increasing their chances of finding a regular job.