Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden reveals she was always seen as a "risk" by choreographers and dance partners who feared her Crohn's disease would impact their careers and insurance plans. And, as the government unveils its plan to reform support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England, Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey speak to parents with years experience of the system, Tania Tirraoro and Lucy Bartley, to see how the new plan shapes up. Produced by: Beth Rose, Amy Elizabeth, Emma Tracey and Damon Rose Recorded and mixed: By Dave O'Neill Series editor: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

Comedian Rosie Jones is about to begin her first solo tour called Triple Threat but reveals life in the limelight can be pretty tricky with ableism and imposter syndrome to deal with. She also has Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey in fits of giggles and advises getting into comedy as it helped her buy a lovely house. After announcing a new 10 Year Mental Health Plan and seeking the views of 5,000 people to help shape it, the government scrapped the idea a few weeks ago. Jeremy Bernhaut from Rethink Mental Illness talks about the charity's Keep Your Promise campaign to get the government to reconsider its decision while Rick Burgess from Recovery In The Bin talks about what he'd like to see. Holly Garrow from Transport for All weighs up the pros and cons of street furniture - is it an inconvenient trip hazard or the perfect place to rest? Produced by: Emma Tracey and Amy Elizabeth Recorded and mixed by: Dave O'Neill Series editor: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey, who are standing in for Adam, speak to actor and SNP member Brian Cox about Nicola Sturgeon’s departure, and who he would like to see in charge of the party.And as Rishi Sunak travels to Belfast to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol, they get the latest on developments from Ireland correspondent Chris Page.More NHS strikes have been announced for March. Baron Victor Adebowale, Chair of the NHS Confederation, talks about how they could be resolved.Today's episode was presented by Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey and was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray, Cordelia Hemming and Miranda Slade. The technical producer is Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Verity Wilde.

With more than 20 billion views of the hashtag #ADHD, some people have turned to TikTok to self-diagnose the condition rather than wait for a formal assessment. BBC journalist, Ben Moore, investigates for Access All having started his own pathway to diagnosis on the social media platform. Henry Shelford from ADHD UK gives advice on what to do if all this sounds very familiar. And why he thinks the name of the condition doesn't accurately reflect what it is. And British Comedian of the Year, Dan Tiernan, joins Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey to talk about his dyspraxia, life on the comedy circuit and the number of jobs he was sacked from. Produced by: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recorded and mixed by: Dave O'Neill Series editor: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

Loneliness is part of life and can be difficult to overcome, but Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey come armed with solutions, recognising those solutions are sometimes different for disabled people. Howard Thorpe reveals he flipped his loneliness on its head by setting up events, while Stephen Morris volunteered as a Buddy to help other lonely people with the Sense charity and got a Buddy for himself too. When author Thomas Leeds wrote his first children's book, ten publishing houses fought for it. His fantasy-adventure follows Jayben, a young hero who must save the Elf world despite the fact he has lost his memory. It's a case of art mimicking life as Thomas lost all of his childhood memories when he was hit by a car. Produced by: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recorded and mixed by: Dave O'Neill Series editor: Beth Rose Editors: Damon Rose and Sam Bonham

The Office for National Statistics have released some disability stats that some are finding a little surprising. The number of people who declared themselves disabled in the 2021 Census didn’t go up in the way people expected, while the number of unpaid carers, unexpectedly, also went down. Carer and founder of the We Care Campaign, Katy Styles, and academic Miro Griffiths, from the famous Centre for Disability Studies at Leeds University, try to work out why. Dr. Amit Patel's recent autobiography revealed how he scoured the world for a solution to his pending sight loss but eventually failed. Amit and guide dog, Kika, visit the studio to talk about how employers couldn't see past his disability when he was applying for jobs. He also chats about his recent CBeebies hit, Dog Squad. And Access All's presenters, Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey get caught up on suits – we’re talking exoskeletons and an electrical zapping suit which can help some people with cerebral palsy minimise their muscle spasms.Produced by: Keiligh Baker and Emma Tracey Recorded and Mixed by: Dave O'Neill Series editor: Beth Rose Editors: Damon Rose, Sam Bonham

Anna Morell visits Nikki Fox to discuss her bad experiences in A&E, which have been magnified by being disabled. While wheelchair-using GP, Hannah Barham-Brown, gives a useful overview of how over-crowding and a lack of staffing affects the health care of people with different impairments.BBC News Health editor Hugh Pym is in the studio to explain the latest NHS England figures. Ron is the new disabled contestant on this year's Love Island, according to the press. But is he actually disabled, wonders Emma Tracey. Plus Lauren Mahon from You Me and the Big C chats about cancer and bringing the award-winning podcast to an end. Produced by: Amy Elizabeth, Keiligh Baker and Emma Tracey Recording / mixing: Dave O'Neill  Editors: Damon Rose, Sam Bonham.

With long delays for people needing guide dogs we speak with Isobel in Belfast who trained her own guide dog and also to Pawtected, an organisation which helps people train their own assistance dogs. Reece Parkinson, from Radio 1Xtra chats about his recent diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes and how he manages his blood sugar while DJ-ing in Ibiza. And, love or hate new year's resolutions, presenters Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey hear from five disabled celebs with motivational ideas. Find out what Rosie Jones, Frank Gardner and others are resolving to do in 2023.Producers: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording/mixing: Dave O'Neill Series Editor: Beth Rose Senior News Editor: Damon Rose

We've had a ball since we launched back in April. Nikki and Emma were strangers at the beginning of the year and now have become great friends through some very open conversations and a bit of over-sharing. They introduce favourite moments on subjects like relationships, first jobs, karaoke choices - nothing has been off limits. Remember when Nikki disliked Emma's Halloween costume? Why Nikki admitted her boyfriend Dave made her cry happy tears or when the team lost control over trousersnake-gate? Plus visits from some of our favourite guests: comedian Rosie Jones, Actors Leon Harrop and Sarah Gordy, and Stricly star Ellie Simmonds. Warning, prepare for plenty of laughs.

Our catch-up with Anne Hegerty was such a success, we decided as a Christmas treat we’d bring you the full, extended conversation! Refreshingly honest and hilarious, Anne revels how Autism impacted her childhood, career and ability to manage benefits – leading to bailiffs turning up on her doorstep. From ‘The Chase’ auditioning process to becoming a household name, prepare for some unfiltered, extended Christmas fun!Producer: Amy Elizabeth Recording/mixing: Dave O'Neill Senior News Editor: Damon Rose