The WCPP is co-hosting the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities Forum in Cape Town from 26 to 28 May 2026. Click here for more information.

“To encourage Commonwealth Parliaments to enable effective and full participation of persons with disabilities at all levels.”

Barriers to full participation in political life remain a significant challenge for persons with disabilities across many Commonwealth countries. Physical and institutional obstacles within parliaments limit opportunities for people with disabilities to engage fully in democracy and public office. Strengthening inclusive practices within parliaments is therefore essential to ensuring that democratic institutions are representative, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all citizens.

Parliamentarians play a key role in advancing disability inclusion through their work as legislators, representatives, and scrutineers. Through their leadership, they can champion the rights of persons with disabilities, promote inclusive legislation, and support efforts to remove barriers within Parliaments. The Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network’s 2026 Forum will provide a platform for Parliamentarians living with disabilities to come together to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and explore practical approaches to strengthening accessibility, representation, and inclusion within parliamentary systems across the Commonwealth. The programme will include expert presentations, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, case studies, and group exercises, all designed to encourage participants to engage, learn, contribute, and problem-solve. Participants will also have the opportunity to establish a network of peers from across the Commonwealth who can provide long-term support, share updates, and promote continued collaboration.

Topics during the Forum will include the role of legislative leadership in advancing disability inclusion; pathways to greater employment and political representation for persons with disabilities; partnerships between parliaments, civil society organisations, and parliamentary committees to support inclusive policy-making; the potential of technology and innovation to enhance political participation; and the importance of addressing intersectional barriers, including those faced by women with disabilities in political leadership.

This Forum forms part of the ongoing work of the CPwD network, which seeks to champion the rights and representation of persons with disabilities in Commonwealth Parliaments and support efforts to make parliamentary institutions more accessible and inclusive across the Commonwealth.