Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

A month into Prime Minister Liz Truss’s premiership and there’s still no confirmation about who the new Minister of State for Disabled People will be…or is there? Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey do some super sleuthing and present their evidence to Access All listeners. Newly released disability hate crime figures reveal record numbers of incidents. Cassie Lovelock talks about her experience while Ali Gunn gives some tips on how to report such incidents. And actors Leon Harrop and Sarah Gordy talk about their brand new BBC sitcom, Ralph and Katie, which follows the highs and lows of two newlyweds who both have Down’s syndrome. Producers: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording / mixing: Dave O'Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Louisa LewisHead to the BBC's Action Line if you need help or support with any of the issues raised in this edition of Access All https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Known as The Governess on quiz show The Chase, Anne Hegerty regularly puts wannabe-quiz champions firmly in their place. But while quizzing comes easily, Anne reveals to Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey that she finds everyday tasks, like washing her clothes, extremely challenging as an autistic person. She also has a theory about why bailiffs are like vampires… And BBC News correspondent, Sean Dilley, describes the heartbreak he’s going through having retired his guide dog, Sammy, after 10 years together and the long wait he’s facing for a new assistance dog. Producers: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording / mixing: Dave O'Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Louisa Lewis

More than 250 deaf people are taking the UK government to court over the lack of British Sign Language (BSL) in televised Covid briefings at the start of the pandemic. Nikki is joined by campaigner Lynn Stewart-Taylor and deaf journalist Liam O'Dell to discuss why this case is so important. We are joined by actor Leo Long, the star of the new Netflix film, I Used To Be Famous. And the story of the blind Instagrammer who used her AI description software to discover that the pictures she had been sent by an interested male were not very flattering about the assets he is presumably rather proud of. Producers: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording / mixing: Dave O'Neill Editors: Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall

The Verala family thought life was about to get better when they were offered a three-bedroom council house which would be suitable for their seven-year-old son, Joel, a wheelchair-user with quadraplegic cerebral palsy. But the family quickly decided they couldn't stay - there were no ramps into the property, the doors weren't wide enough for Joel's wheelchair and there were no hoists to help him around. Instead, the Verala's moved into Grandma's one-bed flat with her while the adaptations take place. The council has told the family it could be another 12 months before the work is completed. Paralympic skier Millie Knight tells us about her new sporting venture - making the England team in karate. She explains how she tackles both sports with 5% vision. And Nikki goes to the blue badge queue where disabled people are queuing to see the Queen lying in state. Most of this programme was recorded before the sad news of the Queen's passing. Producers: Beth Rose, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Sound recording / mixing: Dave O'Neill Editors: Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall

Cross-party peer Baroness Jane Campbell reveals to Nikki Fox that a lack of personal assistants (PA) working in the UK makes her "fear" disabled people could end up living in institutions once more, if the problem isn't rectified. She's not alone. Anna tells us she hasn't been able to recruit a PA in three months and only has the energy to shower once a week while Katy, who runs PA Pool, a website which matches disabled people with suitable PAs, says a third of her PAs dropped off the books when Brexit happened. Nikki is settling into her new home, but reveals the astronomical cost of fitting out her new accessible bathroom - think £8,000 for a toilet seat, and we're not talking gold-plated. And comedian, writer and TV presenter Rosie Jones chats about her new children's book and the frustration she's felt at being turned away from gay nightclubs by bouncers who think she's too disabled to be gay or that her wobbliness means she's drunk. With Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey. Produced by Beth Rose, Keiligh Baker and Emma Tracey Sound production by Dave O'Neill The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall

The charity, Sense, has made the unusual move of giving out cash directly to households who have a family member with complex disabilities and are struggling with the rising cost of living.Mum-of-two, Kelly, who has MS, tells Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey she and her family are already in debt and, right now spend half their income on energy. And comedian Laurence Clark talks about how the global pandemic finally gave him the time to do what he really loves - write. His debut sitcom, Perfect, is broadcast on Friday 26 August. Produced by Beth Rose, Keiligh Baker and Emma Tracey Recorded by Emma Crowe and mixed by James Beard The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall

Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey chat through some of their favourite clips from the podcast so far and play an outtake from sit-in presenter Martin Dougan who reveals all the unlikely jobs he's held down, and why he thinks he can't burp. We indulge Nikki, once more, in her love for all things Kate Bush, which also features Keiligh Baker. And who are the famous voices in our theme tune? Produced by Damon Rose, Beth Rose, Keiligh Baker and Emma Tracey Editors: Damon Rose and Sam Bonham

The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have seen more para-sport events than ever sharing the stage with non-disability sports. So back into the mainstream comes the debate about whether the Paralympics and Olympics could one day combine. Would that be the ultimate symbol of equality or lead to para-sports losing their spotlight? Ellie Simmonds and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, two legends of Paralympics GB, share their thoughts, and Martin Dougan and the BBC’s para-sport reporter Kate Grey pin down the International Paralympic Committee on their plans for the future of the competition.Produced by Danny Wittenberg, Keiligh Baker and Miranda Slade Recorded and mixed by Emma Crowe The editor was Damon Rose With thanks to BBC Sport

Long before Russia invaded Ukraine, the country was dealing with a problem - the abandoning of disabled people to institutions that weren’t fit for purpose. In a collaboration with Ukrainecast, Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey hear from the BBC’s Dan Johnson and producer Ruth Clegg about the reality of these institutions and their investigation into them with Disability Rights International. With thanks to the Ukrainecast team Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill and Emma Crowe The editor was Jonathan Aspinwall

Para-swimmer Alice Tai elected to have a below-knee amputation in January, after her arms became so sore from using crutches to get around. Since then she’s re-learned to swim and is now competing at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Listen to her fascinating story.July is Disability Pride month – Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey chat about its history and we hear what it means to you.And debut author Chloe Timms talks about her dystopian novel, The Seawomen. She gives some top-tips to aspiring writers and talks about managing her writing career while juggling her care needs and all the disability life admin that goes with it.Produced by Keiligh Baker and Emma Tracey with thanks to Elizabeth Hudson Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill The editors were Beth Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall