Disability-inclusive parliaments: Assessment methodology and insights

Parliaments are central to representative democracies, yet persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to full and effective participation in their work. Addressing these barriers means considering how parliaments fulfil their responsibilities for law-making, oversight and representation, as well as how accessible they are.

At this side event, ODIHR and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will launch their new publication, Advancing disability-inclusive parliaments: an assessment methodology and insights from the OSCE region.

Drawing on a joint ODIHR/OSCE PA survey of national parliaments conducted in 2024, the publication presents a practical methodology for assessing disability inclusion. It helps parliaments identify barriers and take targeted steps towards reform, alongside survey findings and examples of good practice from across the OSCE region.

The event will introduce the methodology and explore its practical application. Parliamentarians and civil society representatives will share experiences and discuss how parliaments can strengthen the participation and representation of persons with disabilities.

Opening remarks

• Tea Jaliashvili, First Deputy Director, ODIHR — to be confirmed
• Farah Karimi, Head of the Netherlands Delegation and Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Presentation of the publication

• Lisa Jacobsen, Associate Democratic Governance Officer, Democratization Department, ODIHR

Panel discussion

• Zaruhi Batoyan, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
• Dastan Bekeshev, Member of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic
• Ainura Usupbekova, Director of the Public Foundation “Civic Platform”, Kyrgyzstan

Moderator: Yulia Netesova, Chief of the Democratic Governance and Gender Unit, Democratization Department, ODIHR