The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Parliamentary Academy is calling for qualified consultants to support two major initiatives aimed at strengthening disability inclusion across Commonwealth Parliaments. Professionals with expertise in disability legislation, accessibility standards, and parliamentary processes are encouraged to apply.
The CPA Secretariat is commissioning one or two expert consultants to develop:
1. A Model Law for Disability Acts
A comprehensive legislative guide outlining essential provisions for national and subnational Disability Acts. This model law will serve as a practical tool for Parliamentarians seeking to uphold and advance the rights of persons with disabilities.
2. An Accessibility-Sensitive Self-Assessment Framework for Parliaments
A benchmarking tool to help Parliaments evaluate their accessibility standards and identify reforms that support greater inclusion of persons with disabilities across parliamentary environments.
Consultants may apply for one or both projects.
About the Projects
Project 1: Model Law for Disability Acts
This publication will:
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Offer guidance on drafting Disability Acts that align with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
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Present international best practices and examples that Commonwealth jurisdictions can adopt.
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Provide Parliamentarians with a practical and accessible starting point for developing disability-inclusive legislation.
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Reflect diverse Commonwealth contexts while emphasising universal rights and standards.
Project 2: Accessibility-Sensitive Self-Assessment Framework
This framework will:
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Provide Parliaments with a universal set of accessibility standards.
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Support Parliaments in reviewing, measuring, and improving their level of openness to persons with disabilities.
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Build on CPA’s existing work, including the CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures and Gender Sensitising Parliaments Guidelines.
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Serve as the primary resource for Commonwealth legislatures seeking to enhance institutional inclusion.
Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate:
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At least five years of experience in a parliamentary or relevant academic setting.
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Expertise related to disability legislation, Disability Acts, or CRPD implementation (for the Model Law project).
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Experience in accessibility auditing, accessibility frameworks, or workplace accessibility standards (for the Assessment Framework project).
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Strong command of English and availability between 19 January and 11 March 2026.
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Ability to work remotely and collaborate regularly with CPA Secretariat staff.
Consultants from any Commonwealth jurisdiction are welcome to apply.
Contract and Application Details
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Contract value: £5,000 GBP per project (inclusive of taxes).
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To apply CLICK HERE
Deadline: Friday, 9 January 2026 (23:59 GMT)
Additional Resources
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Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Network
Supporting full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in Parliaments. -
CPA Benchmarks, Standards & Guidelines
A library of tools supporting democratic governance across the Commonwealth. - FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES CLICK HERE
