There have been some key improvements in both the socio-economic experiences of disabled people in the last 20 years, and in related government policies. Nevertheless, few disabled people are optimistic about what the future holds. We must not lose sight of the progress that has been made and ensure that the Conservative Party continues to promote a society in which all people can participate and realise their full potential. How can this be achieved? What are the challenges facing our Party regarding disability policy and what is it like to be a Conservative with a disability?

Maria Miller MP

Maria was born in Wolverhampton and studied at The London School of Economics. She worked in marketing prior to entering Parliament in 2005 to represent Basingstoke.

She was appointed to the Trade and Industry Select Committee, became Shadow Minister for Education in December 2005, then Shadow Minister for Family Welfare in the Department for Work and Pensions in November 2006. Maria was appointed Minister for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions in the Coalition Government in May 2010 and was promoted to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Minister for Women and Equalities, from September 2012 to April 2014. In June 2015 Maria was elected as Chair of the newly established Women and Equalities Select Committee.

Barry Ginley

Barry is CEO of Tamstone Consulting Ltd, specialists in disability and inclusion. Barry studied at the University of Reading and graduated with an Executive MBA from Henley Business School, being the first blind person to gain the qualification. Barry has recently been selected by the Cabinet Office to Chair the Southeast Regional Stakeholder Network on disability. He is a member of the Built Environment Access Panels for the London Legacy Development Corporation and Network Rail; former advisor to the UK governments Paralympic Legacy Advisory Group and sits on the board of the Global Disability Innovation Hub.

Daniel Grice

Daniel is a disability's advocate with the Conservative Disability Group and policy officer for the Conservative Friends of the Commonwealth. He is an active member of CPF and represents the views of those who are disable regularly within the Party.