Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

Paying by card is simple for most of us, but for some visually impaired people, newer, touch screen card readers can be a problem. RNIB’s Dave Williams tells us about the challenges as well as the workarounds. And lawyer Chris Fry joins us to explain where we stand legally.We have Georgina Rose back with us, Strictly Come Dancing’s first live audio describer. She shares all her behind-the-scenes secrets with us, from how she preps to commentate on the sequins and how to squeeze in a speedy bathroom break. And there’s a new kids show in town, MixMups uses stop-motion animation to reframe disabled characters and stories for the next generation. Nikki and Emma catch up with the show’s creator Rebecca Atkinson and get introduced to Pockets, Giggle and Spin.Presented by Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey. Mixed by Gareth Jones. Produced by Emma Tracey, Drew Hyndman, Bethan Ashmead, Beth Rose and Alix Pickles. The editor is Damon Rose and the senior editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.Subscribe on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. Say "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All". Email accessall@bbc.co.uk and on X we're @BBCAccessAll.

We meet actor Eloise Pennycott from BBC Three's Phoenix Rise. She lost her hearing four years ago and now, at 18, is one of the sparkiest deaf/disabled people we've come across for a while. She talks about her character Daisy who she describes in unflattering terms but loves playing. We look at the latest statistics for disability hate crime in England and Wales, with Ali Gunn, head of policy at the charity United Response which campaigns against disability hate crime, and Mark Brooks from social care provider, Dimensions, who also shares his personal experience. And we catch-up with the people of York who are overjoyed that Blue Badge parking will return to the city centre. We also look at your feedback about how easy – or not – it is to weigh yourself. Presented by Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey. Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill. Produced by Beth Rose, Alix Pickles, Emma Tracey and Drew Hyndman. The editor is Damon Rose and the senior editor is Jonathan Aspinwall. Subscribe on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. Say "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All". mail accessall@bbc.co.uk and on X we're @BBCAccessAll.

Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove, joins Nikki Fox In the studio to talk about what he’s been up to since taking over the role in 2022. They go deep into topics including work, benefits and his love of cricket… If politics isn’t your thing, reality TV might be. Jay from the latest series of Married At First Sight joins Nikki and Emma Tracey to talk the three L’s – love, Luke and limb difference. Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill. Produced by Beth Rose, Alix Pickles and Drew Hyndman. Editor is Damon Rose and exec editor is Jonathan Aspinwall. “Alexa, play Access All form the BBC” is one way of hearing our latest show, and making sure you subscribe on BBC sounds is another. Email the team on accessall@bbc.co.uk

When Lizzie posted on Facebook that she hasn’t been able to weigh herself for 22 years, including through three pregnancies, it sparked our interest about access to scales. Gillian also told us she’s been trying to keep check of her weight during a health kick but it’s been months since she was last able to get on scales. And Dr Georgie Budd offers some thoughts and suggestions around this dilemma. We talk emotional support animals after an incident in Florida where one particularly scary example was banned from a ball game. And the cruelly named Elephant Man, Joseph Merrick, is depicted on stage like never before courtesy of young actor Zak Ford-Williams who has cerebral palsy but doesn't use prosthetics or alter his facial appearance. Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill. Produced by Alix Pickles, Drew Hyndman, Emma Tracey and Beth Rose. Editor is Damon Rose, and exec editor is Jonathan Aspinwall. "Alexa, play Access All from the BBC" is one way of hearing our latest show, and making sure you subscribe on BBC Sounds is another. email the presenters Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey now: accessall@bbc.co.uk

Access All joins forces with The Climate Question this week to explore an important global issue. About 16 percent of the world’s population is thought to be disabled, but they are still 2 to 4 times more likely to be injured or killed in a natural disaster than those who are not disabled. Emma Tracey, from the BBC’s Access All podcast, investigates for The Climate Question, meeting disabled people who have dealt with extreme weather events first hand. As well as those who are researching and enforcing change, even in the places you’d least expect it Emma is joined by: Sébastien Jodoin, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law of McGill University, Canada Kera Sherwood-O'Regan, an Indigenous and disabled climate justice advocate, New Zealand Gaele Sobott, writer, living in Sydney, Australia Kemi Yemi-Ese, visual artist from Austin Texas, US Setareki Macanawai CEO, Pacific Disability Forum based in Fiji Presenter: Emma Tracey, BBC Access All Producers: Octavia Woodward and Jordan Dunbar Series Producer: Simon Watts Editor: China Collins Sound Engineer: Nigel Appleton Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill, Jacqui Johnson

This week the government launched Ask, Don’t Assume, a campaign to encourage the public to ask before trying to assist disabled people. However, Disability Rights UK accused them of “purple washing” and called the government “murderous” in a post on X. We also speak to disability rights campaigner Dr Amy Kavanagh, who fears it will encourage invasive questions. Mik Scarlett joins Nikki Fox to talk through your feedback about last week’s episode and our very own Emma Tracey’s new upcoming episode of The Climate Question all about disabled people's safety. And do you know how to be more penguin? If not, find out from Hamzeh who talks about his new play, Penguin. It follows his life from a village in Syria, to a Jordanian refugee camp, and his current home in Gateshead in the North-East of England. Sound recording and mixing by Mike Regaard and Dave O’Neill. Produced by Beth Rose, Alix Pickles and Drew Hyndman. The editor was Damon Rose and the exec editor was Jonathan Aspinwall. "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All" will bring you the latest episode on your smart speaker. Please X us on @bbcaccessall or email accessall@bbc.co.uk

Budgets are tight at local authorities across the country and this week, Bristol City Council launched a consultation on what it calls its ‘Fair and Affordable Care Policy’. Some residents fear the policy, if implemented, could see them relocated to care homes if that’s seen as “best value” to the wider community. We speak to Mark Williams, a Bristol resident and part of the Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living group and Mikey Erhardt who is a campaigner from Disability Rights UK.Strictly Come Dancing is back for 2023 and, for the first time, the opening episode was audio described as it was being broadcast. We take a listen to it, and Emma looks at the reaction amongst the blind community on social media. And it’s been five years in the making, but a brand new whodunit has been released in London. Imposter 22 is co-created by learning disabled and autistic actors. We speak to Charlene Salter who has been involved since the beginning.Due to unforeseen circumstances, Emma Tracey presents this week’s show with members of the production team putting in an appearance.Sound recording and mixing by Dave O’Neill. Produced by Beth Rose, Emma Tracey, Jack Taylor, Drew Hyndman and guest Keiligh Baker. The editor was Damon Rose. Exec editor Jonathan AspinwallTell your smart speaker “Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All” and you’ll get the very latest edition. Or subscribe to Access All via BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. On the X platform we’re @bbcaccessall, Instagram bbcaccessall and you can email accessall@bbc.co.uk

This podcast episode explores access in Japan and features influencer Lucy Edwards discussing her experience with a robot guide dog. The debate around railway ticket office closures and their impact on disabled people is also covered. Additionally, the episode highlights the decline of disabled individuals in STEM jobs and features interviews with disabled scientists. The hosts praise Lucy Edwards and her recent wedding, as well as her travel show in Japan.

This week, out-of-the-blue, the government released a consultation on changes to the Work Capability Assessment, which it had previously announced it would scrap. Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey unravel what it could mean for you with James Taylor, executive director of strategy at the charity Scope. New BBC Two programme, Helping Our Teens, shows child behavioural expert Marie Gentles assisting school children at risk of permanent exclusion and those with other emotional support needs. We talk to Marie about her methods and also to Jayliyah (and her mum) who are also on the TV programme. Jayliyah was given a diagnosis of ADHD and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and we look at her new found success. Writer and wheelchair-user Lucy Webster has just released her book - The View From Down Here. She discusses what she calls "sexist ableism" and how she goes about sacking her personal assistants when things start to go wrong... Sound recording and mixing by the talented Dave O'Neill. Produced by Beth Rose, Emma Tracey and Keiligh Baker. The editor was Damon Rose. Exec editor Jonathan Aspinwall. Tell your smart speaker "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All" and you'll get the very latest edition. It's so simple it's ridiculous. Or subscribe to Access All via BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. On the X platform we're @bbcaccessall and you can email accessall@bbc.co.uk

Gail Porter's most recent incarnation is in comedy and storytelling related to her experiences of mental ill health, homelessness and hair loss - something she likes to share in the hope it helps other people. Emma Tracey grabbed an interview with her in Edinburgh recently. Sisters, Hermon and Heroda Berhane are fashion influencers. They are also identical twins and are deaf. They had no idea that sign language or Deaf culture existed until they arrived in the UK from their original home in Africa, but they soon took it all on board. Find out more about them in our interview. You can visit them on the web here: beinghermonheroda.com This is the last of our summer interview editions. Access All returns to its usual form next week. We hope you've enjoyed the difference, who wants news in late August, right? Mixed by Emma Crowe. Producers: Keiligh Baker, Rebecca Grisedale-Sherry, Emma Tracey and Beth Rose. Editor Damon Rose. "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All" and you'll get the very latest edition played at you down your smart speaker. And get your pals and colleagues to subscribe on BBC Sounds or wherever you like to get your podcasts.