A BARNSLEY MP celebrated the start of Disability History Month in Parliament.

Marie Tidball, who represents Penistone and Stocksbrige, attended a reception hosted in the Speaker’s House.

The event was attended by many high profile disabled campaigners including presenter Adam Hills, journalist Reuben Reuters and accessibility architect Rosie Scott.

Marie said: “I’m incredibly proud to be celebrating Disability History Month in Parliament as the first MP ever to be elected with congenital limb difference.

“It’s been fantastic to spend this week with so many incredible disabled campaigners, across so many different industries and from right across the country.

“Parliament belongs to all of us while I’m here, I’ll do all I can to improve accessibility and make this home of democracy a House that properly represents disabled people.”

Marie highlighted that the representation of disabled people in broadcast TV, both on and off screen, has doubled since 2018, as reported by the Creative Diversity Network.

Marie asked ministers to double disability representation again, both on and off TV screens, so it better reflects the percentage of disabled people in the general population.

Marie also hosted and spoke at a reception in Parliament with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on improving visual rehabilitation services in local authorities.

Vision rehabilitation is an essential service, that equips people with sight loss with the skills needed to carry out practical daily tasks, to ensure they can live life to the fullest.

Marie added: “I’ll continue working with incredible disabled people’s organisations like the RNIB, as well as the government, to create a society that treats all disabled people with dignity and respect.”