Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth met in Cape Town, South Africa from 26 to 28 May 2026 for the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Forum. They were hosted by the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. 

Delegates took part in a wide-ranging programme, with an overall focus on increasing representation of persons with disabilities in Parliament. The programme included expert presentations, peer-to-peer learning, case studies and group exercises. 

Session topics included employment and representation and pathways for persons with disabilities in politics; carrying out accessibility audits in Legislatures; civil society and the role of Parliamentary Committees and technology and innovation for political participation. 

On the final day, delegates visited the Jo-Dolphin Swartland Association for Disabled Persons in Malmesbury. The Association provides disability support services for local residents, including skills training, community engagement and advocacy. 

Attendees came from the CPA’s national and subnational Legislatures, with representatives from Kenya, Malaysia, South Africa, Western Cape (South Africa), Northern Ireland, Gauteng (South Africa), Selangor (Malaysia), Mpumalanga (South Africa), Jamaica, Ghana, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), Eastern Cape (South Africa), Eswatini, Nigeria, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) and Saint Lucia.

Also in attendance to support Parliamentarians were Hon. Isaiah Jacob, CPwD Chairperson; CPA Secretary-General Stephen Twigg;  Hon. Daylin Mitchell, MPP, Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament; and Hon. Timothy Wanyoni, Member of the National Assembly of Kenya and CPwD Africa Regional Champion.

Representatives from South African and international organisations focused on disability supported the Forum as resource people, including the African Disability Forum, Autism South Africa, Disabled People South Africa (DPSA), the Global Disability Fund Secretariat, South African Human Rights Commission and the Global Disability Innovation Hub.

At the opening ceremony, the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Hon. Daylin Mitchell, MPP, said:

“I welcome you to Cape Town and look forward to an engaging week focusing on representation and accessibility. This Forum reaffirms a principle central to strong democracies: our Parliaments must reflect the societies they serve, and disability must never be a barrier to leadership, representation or full participation in public life.”

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg said:  

“I’m delighted to be able to join you in person for this vital CPwD Forum. At the CPA, we focus on parliamentary strengthening and professional development, but we cannot professionally develop our Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff if those opportunities aren’t there on a fair or equal basis to all.”

Part of the programme focused on the CPA’s first annual campaign, which encourages more Commonwealth Parliaments to introduce legislation that advances the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Read more about the campaign here.

The 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, the CPA’s main annual event, is also due to take place in Cape Town in September 2026. Find out more at our 69th CPC Hub.

-ENDS- 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an international community of 180 Parliaments and Legislatures at national, state, provincial and territorial level working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance. Founded in 1911, the CPA brings together Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice.