East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP, Dr Lisa Cameron, led a debate marking the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the House of Commons.
It is an annual day that seeks to promote the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities at every level of society.
Ms Cameron told ministers change is needed “right at the top” to help increase representation of people with disabilities in politics.
She chairs the Westminster’s all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for Disability and went on to say ongoing inequality is compounded by the fact that people with disabilities face structural inequality and have “largely felt invisible” during the pandemic.
There are 14.1 million people with disabilities in the UK.
The Office of National Statistics estimated that disabled people made up a staggering 59 per cent of all coronavirus deaths during the peak of the pandemic.
And recent research by Sense shows that almost three quarters of disabled people surveyed believed their needs had been ignored and they have not received enough support during the pandemic.
This year's theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities was Leadership and Participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID world.
In line with this, Ms Cameron reported that the APPG for Disability have increased employment, work experience and internship opportunities for people with disabilities in the UK to work in parliament via signing up over 100 MPs to become Disability Confident Level 1 Employers.
She called on Government to do more to include the participation of disabled people at the heart of Government policy making and within the COVID-19 Inquiry.
Ms Cameron said: “Parliament and MPs must lead the way in championing inclusion and equality of opportunity for all and that is why I am so proud to be spearheading inclusive employment workshops that are offering real life opportunities for now in over 100 MPs offices up and down the UK."
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