CDPF had its beginnings in Kampala in the run up to CHOGM 2007 to provide an organised voice for Disabled Peoples Organisations across the Commonwealth. In March 2008 at a meeting in London of delegates from 19 countries, CDPF was formally set up, a constitution was adopted and Executive Committee was elected. An office was set up in India and the CDPF was registered there. In June 2009, a 4-day meeting was held in Kampala on UN CRPD and to develop future plans. In 2009 and 2010 respectively, the Chair and Vice Chair died, which led to a hiatus. CDPF also in membership in GPDD and participation in member meetings in Germany in 2009 (James Mwanda) and Argentina 2011 (Steven Estey)

The purpose of CDPF is to bring disabled people, regardless of type of impairment, gender, age, race, indigenous & geographical background, religion, political affiliation from all countries of the Commonwealth, together with a view to having one voice to advocate for promotion and equalization of opportunities for all disabled people.

To engage and influence the structures and organs of the Commonwealth and especially the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

In light of the adoption UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) by the General assembly in December 2006, the recognition by Commonwealth Heads of Government, in their statement in Kampala in November 2007, of the need to adopt, ratify and implement the UNCRDP throughout the Commonwealth and the continuing inequalities and exclusion disabled people face throughout the Commonwealth, they resolve to set up a Commonwealth Disabled Peoples’ Forum.