Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

Ever wondered what other people's therapy sessions are like? We meet a counsellor with her client and talk about the why and the how of building back the self esteem of a man who's had his legs amputated and wants to rejoin the dating scene. Plus ... is getting a wheelchair accessible taxi difficult in your area? Find out why Northern Island has lost a lot of cab drivers these last few years (Clue: Covid didn’t help). Presenter: Emma Tracey Sound: Dave O’Neill Producers: Kirsteen Knight and Alex Collins Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

More than 100 influential disabled people have signed an open letter to Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, calling £5bn worth of benefit cuts, “cruel”.Screenwriter, Jack Thorne, behind hits including Adolescence and Toxic Town talks exclusively to Access All about why he signed the letter which dubs the planned reforms “cruelty by policy”. The Department for Work and Pensions says its “determined to support people in all parts of the county”. Also, we hear from author and The Guardian columnist, Frances Ryan about how a trip to the pub lead to her chronic illness and why her new book Who Wants Normal? The Disabled Girl’s Guide To Life is essential reading for everyone. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins Sound recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Damon Rose

Ellie Simmonds, a five-time Paralympic gold medalist and TV presenter, shares her insights on the urgent need for disability activism. She discusses recent protests in the UK and US, highlighting the impact of welfare cuts and challenges faced by activists. Ellie also introduces her documentary, 'Should I Have Children?', reflecting on the decisions of parents facing potential disabilities in their unborn children. The conversation delves into her own experiences and the broader societal pressures surrounding parenthood for those with disabilities.

Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, cannot support the announced benefits changes and speaks to Emma Tracey about the experiences she has had as a disabled person herself. BBC's political correspondent Helen Catt walks us through whether government will face a significant challenge getting their legislation through parliament this summer, with other insights. Then, music from American artist, Gaelynn Lea, who's touring the UK. The discussion includes the folk singer and musician’s bespoke way of playing violin, like a cello rather than up on her shoulder.Sound recording and mixing by Dave O'Neill, producers Beth Rose and Alex Collins, the editor was Damon Rose. Spread the word loyal followers.

The dotty medium of Braille has just turned 200 years old. Famously invented by French boy, Louis Braille, it spread worldwide and became the way blind people were finally able to read. Access All's presenter Emma Tracey explains what she does with it and why she loves it whilst meeting interesting people who have used the medium in very interesting ways…including, Stevie Wonder. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producer: Adele Armstrong First broadcast on the BBC World Service April 2025.

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 Tracey Producer: Beth Rose Sound recording and mix: Dave O'Neill Editor: Damon Rose

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 Tracey Sound recording and mixer: Dave O'Neill. Editor: Damon Rose, Beth Rose Executive Editor: Emma Rippon

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'Neill Editor: Beth Rose

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 Tracey Produced by Alex Collins Sound mixed by Mike Regaard Edited by Beth Rose and Damon Rose

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 Tracey Produced by Alex Collins and Beth Rose Sound recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill Edited by Damon Rose and Beth Rose