15 January 2026
Labour MP Marsha de Cordova outlined her journey into parliament during her keynote address at the Women in Vision UK annual meeting (21 November, City St George’s, University of London).
Delegates from a diverse range of vision-related backgrounds gathered for a series of presentations as well as a public speaking workshop.
“I think there's something quite powerful when we when we gather as women in in one space,” de Cordova observed.
The MP for Battersea recounted her formative years in Bristol as a child with nystagmus – with de Cordova’s mother advocating for her to remain in mainstream education.
She went on to study law and European policy at university, before establishing a charity to provide support for blind and partially sighted people in south east London.
“Throughout my life my passion and my purpose has always been quite interlinked. My desire has always been about making a difference and being a voice for the voiceless,” de Cordova emphasised.
She shared with delegates that a desire to be involved in leading change prompted her to enter local politics as a councillor for Lambeth 11 years ago.
“Being in the stands and sitting on the sidelines really wasn't an option. I knew that I really had to get on court, get on the pitch, and be that voice advocating to bring about change,” de Cordova said.
She described the “huge honour” of being elected as an MP for Battersea in 2017 – winning the election against an incumbent MP with a majority of close to 8000.
However, when de Cordova entered parliament she faced challenges that her sighted colleagues did not have to navigate.
“Going into the House of Commons – which many would call the mother of all parliaments – I quickly learned that parliamentary buildings, policies and procedures were not necessarily accessible or inclusive for blind and partially sighted people,” she highlighted.
She told delegates that these barriers range from trip hazards and poor lighting to the convention that requires MPs to catch the Speaker’s eye when they would like to speak.
“You can imagine how challenging that continues to be for me,” de Cordova said.
The MP highlighted that her work to break down accessibility barriers within parliament is motivated by a desire to ensure that those who follow her do not experience the same challenges.
“That really holds true for each of us in this room today. You know, we do what we do because we want to make it easier, especially for women that are coming behind us. We’ve got to always push to deliver that change,” de Cordova shared.
De Cordova confided with delegates that she regularly does not receive health information in an accessible format.
“I have nystagmus, so naturally, I have to read things in large print,” she said.
“If I need vital information about my woman’s health or any form of health care, I should be getting that in the right format. I know how to use my voice to demand it. Not everyone does, but frankly, they shouldn't have to,” de Cordova emphasised.
She observed that throughout her career she has endeavored to remain true to her purpose and what she believes in.
“I have faced some challenges, and I still do today, but when I feel fearful my motto is to do it anyway, just do it afraid,” de Cordova said.
We are missing out on giving opportunities to people living with sight loss, and that cannot be right
Reducing workforce inequality
De Cordova spoke to delegates about the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Vision Impairment’s Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives report – which explores employer attitudes to the employment of blind and partially sighted people.
YouGov polling undertaken for the report found that nearly half of employers did not have accessible recruitment processes, while one in four were unwilling to implement adjustments to those processes.
De Cordova highlighted that many blind and partially sighted people have the right skills, qualifications and experience, but face challenges entering the workforce.
“What you end up with is highly accomplished, capable, blind and partially sighted people being locked out of the labor market,” she said.
Following the publication of the report, de Cordova is calling for the government to look at implementing disability employment strategies in order to close the disability employment gap.
“I know we are missing out on a pool of talent. We are missing out on giving opportunities to people living with sight loss, and that cannot be right,” she highlighted.
“Step change” needed in attitudes towards blind and partially sighted people at work
A government-led disability employment strategy set out in the Changing attitudes; changing lives report
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