Episodes
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There's a bit of a parental feel about this week's podcast. Two mums from Nottingham were categorised in a hospital computer system as having learning disabilities and, they say, received poor treatment as a result.Claire Whyte and Elizabeth Jones are autistic but their local NHS trust only has the ability to (inappropriately) categorise them as having a learning disability, because there is no neurodivergent box to tick on the system.They say they were spoken to in simplified language and had decisions about their care made without consulting them. As a result, they felt patronised and left out of their own maternity care. Presenter Emma Tracey speaks to them and we get a response from the NHS and the company, System C, who make the app. Emma also speaks to Jessica Slice, author of newly published and ironically titled book Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World. In it she maintains that disabled people are unusually placed to have the skills to be parents. She says her life as someone with POTS and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, has made her more resilient, patient, tolerant of pain, and thinks disabled people shouldn't be written off as mums and dads ... and a whole lot more. Presenter: Emma TraceyProducer: Beth RoseSound recording and mix: Dave O'NeillEditor: Damon Rose
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This week we bring you inspiration and strategies for getting a job if you're disabled, with tips from two disabled people who have heaps of experience in this area. Should you disclose you're disabled on a job application form? Is there a better way to catch the eye of an employer? Or maybe you're thinking about heading down the self employment route cos you're sick of being rejected? Entrepreneur Liz Jackson MBE, and former disability consultant Phil Friend OBE speak with Emma Tracey. Liz tells how she set-up a business the same year she went blind. While Phil brings 35 years of speaking to employers and disabled people to the table. Some disabled people simply can't work and have to rely on benefits and others want and need nothing more than to be part of the workforce. We get it and we will be looking at this subject again soon from a different angle. Presenter: Emma TraceySound recording and mixer: Dave O'Neill.Editor: Damon Rose, Beth RoseExecutive Editor: Emma Rippon
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Lucy Edwards, well known influencer and star of TV shampoo commercials (among many other things), joins Emma Tracey to talk about her new book for children Ella Jones Versus The Sun Stealer. While together the two women, both of whom are blind, talk about wide-ranging subjects from beauty hacks and disability politics to Lucy's exciting new business venture. Plus Lucy talks openly about the genetic condition she has, incontinentia pigmenti, and how she and her husband are going through an IVF process in order to decrease the risk of passing it on. Sound recording and Mix: Dave O'NeillEditor: Beth Rose
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Sir Stephen Timms, the minister for Social Security and Disability talks to Emma Tracey about the proposed £5bn worth of welfare cuts the government recently announced.
The Minister explains the Labour government’s thought process around the planned changes which include tightening up eligibility for Personal Independence Payment and explains why people under the age of 22 will no longer get the health top-up to Universal Credit.
Sir Stephen also reacts to news that Disabled and Deaf People's Organisations (DPPO) are considering stepping back from working with him as a result of the plans.
Presented by Emma TraceyProduced by Alex CollinsSound mixed by Mike RegaardEdited by Beth Rose and Damon Rose
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Suspended Labour MP, John McDonnell, talks to Access All about the distress he feels over the benefit cuts outlined in March's Spring Statement. Having had the whip removed last summer he hopes to be restored to the party he joined 50 years ago but says he is "praying" his former colleagues rethink the plans and U-turn. The benefit cuts mean there have been a lot of numbers flying about. Finance journo, Felicity Hannah, who presents BBC radio shows, Money Box and Wake Up To Money, breaks it all down for us and outlines what the changes could mean for you and your wallet, and where to go to get personalised help. Plus we hear from actress and deaf advocate Rose Ayling-Ellis and deaf series producer Camilla Arnold about their new BBC documentary, Old Hands, New Tricks, where they aim to teach residents at a retirement home how to use British Sign Language. It's available right now on BBC iPlayer. Presented by Emma TraceyProduced by Alex Collins and Beth RoseSound recorded and mixed by Dave O'NeillEdited by Damon Rose and Beth Rose
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Nigel has lived with paranoid schizophrenia for decades, navigating "tormenting voices" and spending time in secure units and prison. He talks to Emma Tracey about his life, managing the condition and the importance of his friendship with Andy, who we also meet. Lucy Schonegevel from Rethink Mental Health reflects on Nigel's story and brings us up to date on reforms to the Mental Health Act, expected later this year, which might improve the experiences of people with schizophrenia. Last week, government changes to disability benefits grabbed the headlines. One grant scheme that didn't get the limelight was Access To Work. Angela Mathews from the Business Disability Forum gives us the lowdown on what's happening with that while BBC Transport Correspondent, Sean Dilley, pops in to talk about a select committee report which described the experience of many disabled people on public transport as a "national embarrassment". Emma also gets out and about on the London Underground to find out how a new Chatty Cabin scheme is helping commuters with their mental health. Produced by: Daniel Gordon and Alex CollinsRecorded and mixed by: Dave O'NeillEdited by Beth Rose and Damon Rose
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Billy Monger's ambition to become a professional racing driver looked like it had come to a serious and tragic end when a crash on the track aged 17 resulted in both his legs being amputated - one above knee, one below. Talking with Emma Tracey, he looks back at how life changed after the accident, and the challenges he's put himself through since then. After breaking it to his parents his racing career wasn't over, he was back on the track within months. Since then he's raced in F3, taken part in BBC Two's Celebrity Race Across the World and most recently the Iron Man challenge - which is the subject of a new BBC documentary on iPlayer this week. PRODUCERS: DANIEL GORDON, ALEX COLLINSPRESENTER: EMMA TRACEYEDITORS: BETH ROSE, DAMON ROSESOUND RECORDING AND MIX: DAVE O'NEILL
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What will the welfare reforms announced by the government on Tuesday mean for disabled people who claim benefits?
In this emergency episode, Emma Tracey tries to find out by talking to the BBC’s Disability Correspondent Nikki Fox, two claimants of disability benefits - Ellen Clifford and Justine Stamp - and to Arun Veerappan of the Disability Policy Centre.
PRODUCERS: DANIEL GORDON, ALEX COLLINSPRESENTER: EMMA TRACEYEDITOR: DAMON ROSESOUND RECORD AND MIX: DAVE O’NEILL
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BBC research has revealed that nearly a third of child claimants of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) have been rejected for adult benefits when they turn 16. BBC Data Unit reporter Joanna Morris has been investigating to find out why this is happening, and shares that many rejections come because the forms are addressed to the teenagers who try to complete the paperwork themselves. That includes Holly Crouch. Holly, who has epilepsy, tells Access All she was turned down for Personal Independence Payment at 16 because she had written on her form that she could cook - even though the risk of seizures meant she could never use the cooker without supervision. Also on the programme - Jonny Heaver, fresh from being fired as a contestant on The Apprentice, gives an exit interview and talks about living with a facial difference. PRESENTER: Emma TraceyPRODUCERS: Daniel Gordon, Alex CollinsEDITORS: Beth Rose, Ben MundySOUND RECORDING AND MIX: Dave O’Neill
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Polly Crosby opens up about living with the life limiting condition cystic fibrosis.As a newborn, she was the first person in the world to test positive for CF through a heel prick test.Being diagnosed so early helped her mother manage her condition but many of her childhood friends died very young. And she’s been reflecting on that period in her latest novel, The Vulpine.
Also in this episode, we hear complaints that maternity services don’t give equal care to wheelchair users.
Plus, could comedy become available at the doctor’s? We explore.
And we end with a tribute to our former colleague and GB Volleyball squad member, Kat Hawkins, who recently died.
PRESENTER: Emma TraceyPRODUCERS: Daniel Gordon, Alex CollinsEDITORS: Beth Rose, Ben MundySOUND RECORDING AND MIX: Dave O’Neill
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To mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we catch-up with Oleksii and Raisa who previously spoke to Access All.
Oleksii has learning disabilities and, after initially re-locating to Denmark, returned to his group home in Ukraine a few months ago. Raisa runs a nearby respite centre for disabled people.
And we hear from Sara Cincurova, a human rights journalist, who has recently visited a specialist school in Ukraine for disabled children.
This episode also shines a spotlight on teen actress Niamh Moriarty, who has cerebral palsy and was thrilled to break away from the stereotype of disabled characters and play a bully in her new film, September Says.
Plus we hear how surf therapy is becoming a craze for the over 50s in Wales with mental health challenges.
PRESENTER: Emma TraceyPRODUCERS: Daniel Gordon, Alex CollinsEDITORS: Beth Rose, Ben MundySOUND RECORDING & MIX: Dave O’Neill
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Corie Mapp, a double leg amputee, is fresh from winning gold at the Para-bobsleigh World Championships in Switzerland. Corie took up the sport after he was injured in Afghanistan and says “going down an ice chute in a bath tub” has given him a fresh perspective on disability and risk. Also on this episode, a suicide charity which runs the UK’s only 24-hour phone line staffed by trained, paid, call handlers, says it’s desperately short of funding. Emma Tracey talks to Francesca, a long-term user of Papyrus who credits the service with saving her life, and CEO Ged Flynn. And Chantal Nasseri, the Access Coordinator for the Hollywood film Wicked, describes how she made every aspect of the production accessible, from transport to costumes. Presenter: Emma TraceyProducers: George Sharpe, Daniel Gordon, Alex CollinsRecorded and mixed: Dave O’ NeillEditors: Beth Rose, Ben Mundy
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Niamdh Braid took her local council to a tribunal at the age of 16 (and won!) after they refused to provide her with a BSL interpreter in class. She tells Emma Tracey how Fife Council had argued that she was able to access her education using hearing aids and lip reading. But after an expert witness told the tribunal that Niamdh could only hear 70% of what her teachers were saying, it ruled in her favour. Also on this episode, meet Alex Mitchell, the self-described queer, autistic, disabled comedian who found fame on Britain’s Got Talent. Presenter: Emma TraceyProducers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins, George SharpeRecorded and mixed by Dave O’NeillEditors: Beth Rose and Ben Mundy
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Actor Michael Patrick has just picked up an award for his unique portrayal of Shakespeare’s Richard III, which gives the play a fresh twist inspired by his own experience of living with motor neurone disease (MND).
Michael is no stranger to MND. His father died from the condition and his sister is also living with it, although drug trials for the siblings have given them more hope for the future.
Also on this episode, the charity Mencap says it fears for peoples lives after the NHS dropped annual health checks for people with learning disabilities from its priorities plan.
We speak with Mencap CEO, Jon Sparkes, as well as Nigel and Rahima about their experiences of the Health MOTs.
And we meet Japan’s Nobuyuki Tsujii, a blind pianist who’s played at concert venues around the world including the Sydney Opera House.
Presented by: Emma TraceyProduced by: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins and George SharpeSound recording and design by: Dave O’NeillEditors: Beth Rose and Ben Mundy
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Adults diagnosed with ADHD have shorter life expectancies, according to a groundbreaking new study.
University College London (UCL) crunched nine million GP records to find that, on average, women with ADHD die nine years earlier, and men seven years earlier than those without ADHD.
Josh Stott, professor of ageing and clinical psychology at UCL, the lead researcher, explains to Access All why this is happening. We also hear from broadcaster Christo Foufas, who has ADHD, and describes how his struggles with binge eating and recreational drugs eventually led him to a diagnosis of ADHD. Teenager Phoebe-Rae Taylor talks about her starring role in the Disney film Out Of My Mind, a coming of age story about a girl with cerebral palsy who has a new communication aid. And we meet Dan Harris, who had the alphabet tattooed on his arm to make it easier for his non-verbal son, Joshie, to talk to him. Presented by Emma TraceyProduced by Alex Collins and Daniel GordonSound recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill
Edited by Beth Rose and Ben Mundy
You can contact the team on [email protected].uk
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Facing the California wildfires when you’re disabled and marking Holocaust Memorial Day As the California wildfires continue to burn we hear the stories of disabled Los Angeles residents, Carrie and Joci, who had to make decisions around whether to evacuate or not, and if so, how they would do it without plans in place. To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, Dr Helen Atherton talks to Access All about the Nazis' Aktion T4 programme which killed thousands of disabled people they considered “undesirable”. Dr Atherton discovered 13 of those killed were British-born and has created an exhibition to honour them called Finding Ivy. We also talk to Nancy Jennings, the great niece of one of the victims, Zdenko Hoyos. Plus Katie the Wheeled Piper plays for us on her adapted bagpipes. The 18-year-old had the honour of piping in the haggis for the BBC’s Burns Night Extravaganza which is broadcast on 25 January and will be available on BBC iPlayer afterwards. Presented by Emma TraceyProduced by Alex Collins and Daniel GordonRecorded and Edited by Dave O’NeillEdited by Sara Wadeson and Beth Rose
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A mum of two tells Emma Tracey about spending more than half of the family’s income on her children's special educational needs (SEND).
Alice moved her two daughter’s to a private school after she felt they weren’t being supported in state education.But, from 1 January, private schools lost their charitable status and now must pay VAT of 20% with many schools passing those costs onto parents. Alice fears her family’s financial will only worsen as a result. The Department for Education (DfE) said the government was "making progress" on the issue with a £1bn investment in SEND.We also hear from Luke Sibieta, an economist from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who shares his recent research into the state of SEND education in England.
Emma also catches up with adventurer Jonny Huntington who became the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.
And, we meet Tina and Jack from Daylight Studio, a music charity which supports people with learning disabilities, whose song Watermelon Fantasy has been sampled by Snoop Dogg!
Presented by Emma TraceyProduced by Dan Gordon and Alex CollinsRecorded and mixed by Dave O’NeillEditor: Beth Rose
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Owen Tooth is the first wheelchair user to direct EastEnders — he's already handled his first "duff duff" moment and is due on set for a string of episodes in early 2025. But he says he moved into TV after his film career collapsed when he became a wheelchair user and people acted as if he was “invisible”. Also on the programme, millions of people rent properties and yet nearly half of private landlords in England say they would be “unwilling” to rent to tenants who require adaptations to be made to the property.
More than 9,000 people answered the English Private Landlords Survey - with 47% saying they would be reluctant to provide adaptations.
Sam Lewis, who lives in privately rented accommodation in London and has Crohn’s Disease and rheumatoid arthritis, shares her experience of asking numerous landlords to make their properties more accessible for her.
We also hear from Paul Smith, Director of Foundations, the public body advising prospective tenants who require adaptations and the agencies who provide them. He also has some advice if you’re about to begin the process of requesting adaptations yourself.
Presenter: Emma TraceyProduced by: Daniel Gordon, Alex CollinsRecorded and mixed by Dave O’NeillEdited by Beth Rose and Farhana Haider
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Our expert panel looks ahead to what 2025 is likely to bring for disabled people and mental health service users. On the panel are: John Pring, founder and editor of Disability News Service; Richard Taylor of the disability equality charity Scope and Lucy Schonehevel of Rethink Mental Illness.
They discuss ongoing issues which are likely to carry on making headlines in 2025 – such as the Assisted Dying Bill and changes to disability benefits. We also hear from disabled BBC correspondents in the worlds of sport and entertainment on what’s coming up.
Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editors: Farhana Haider, Beth RoseRecorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill
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It’s been a busy year for disabled people. From the Paralympics in Paris to the first ever blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing to a new generation of disabled MPs getting elected to parliament, 2024 has seen its fair share of disabled high achievers.
But what’s been YOUR favourite? This special festive episode features a look back at the past year on Access All - as well as the big moments famous friends of the programme have chosen as their 2024 highlights. It also includes the responses our listeners have sent in.
Also on the show - BBC Senior North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue drops by to talk about what it’s like working as a blind journalist covering the US - and the moment he found himself on the scene at a rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman tried to assassinate Donald Trump.
AND The Choir With No Name - a choir for homeless people - round off our Christmas edition.
Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex CollinsEditor: Farhana HaiderRecorded and Mixed by Dave O’Neill
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