Scotland's new parliament has too few women - just 45 female MSPs, or 35 per cent of the total, when common sense suggests it should be nearer half. It has only two from ethnic minorities, when you might hope there would be more like a dozen.

In terms of so-called 'protected' groups, the lesbian and gay community are well-represented, among party leaders at least.

But disabled people are surely the most drastically unrepresented group. Of Holyrood's 129 MSPs only one, Tory Jeremy Balfour, openly identifies as disabled.

It is generally accepted that around one in five of the population have a disability, so charities such as Inclusion Scotland reckon there should be more like 23 disabled MSPs. That isn't to say 'able-bodied' politicians won't stand up for the disabled - but why should people with a disability not be taking decisions about the new welfare system, and employability support, for instance?

Sally Witcher, Inclusion Scotland CEO didn't mince her words at the result. "An election where less than one per cent of the winners is disabled is unacceptable," she said. "Disabled people have a great deal to contribute. The onus is mainly on parties to see to it that next year is different."

The target now is the local government elections next year and Inclusion Scotland will be playing a role in trying to ensure a better outcome for disabled would-be politicians - administering a £200,000 Democratic Participation Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. Many want to take part, but face barriers to doing so, according to Inclusion Scotland's Phil Meyer. These could include the cost of an interpreter for the deaf or help for people with mobility problems.

Sometimes it can just be about being more flexible, Meyer suggests - a councillor unable to climb the stairs to visit constituents could hold roadside surgeries, for example.

Meanwhile anecdotal evidence suggests disabled people make up a better proportion of elected councillors.

"A higher percentage of councillors may be defined as disabled, but their average age tends to be higher, so more have age-related impairments," Meyer says. "You'd probably find most of them don't think of themselves as disabled."

Either way, the fund - a pilot project - could help make a difference. Whether £200,000 is enough remains to be seen, he adds "It depends how many people apply, and what kind of adjustments they need. But we want to hear from anyone who wishes to stand, across the whole of Scotland."