Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

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

The festive season can be a tough time for many people, from financial worries and loneliness to the pressures of making everything perfect. Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey are joined by broadcaster Seaneen Molloy, who works in the mental health sector and lives with bipolar disorder and anxiety. She gives tips on how best to protect your mental health over the festive period and what you can do to help yourself the moment you’ve finished listening to this podcast.And investigative journalist, Marjorie Wallace, who founded mental health charity SANE, talks about The Silent Twins, a new Hollywood film based on a book she wrote about June and Jennifer Gibbons - two sisters from Wales who spoke to no one but each other. Producers: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording/mixing: Dave O'Neill Series Editor: Beth Rose Senior News Editor: Damon Rose

The families of seven teenagers with complex needs have just one week to find a new school after they were asked to leave Purbeck View School in Dorset following an “inadequate” rating by Ofsted.Mum, Sarah London, whose son Harrison, is one of those being forced to leave, shares her fears he will end up in an emergency placement on the other side of the country at Christmas.After 20 years of listening to her dulcet tones, Emma Tracey gets to meet her favourite TV audio describer - Georgina Rose, - who has worked on everything from kids TV shows to Naked Attraction. Georgina explains the art of describing television programmes and reveals her fantasy of one day describing a particular scene in Indiana Jones.And James Leadbitter, aka The Vacuum Cleaner, and two young people talk about their experiences of being inpatients at adolescent mental health units and making art there during the pandemic.Producers: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording/mixing: Dave O'Neill Series Editor: Beth Rose News Editor: Damon Rose

He might be the third Minister of State for Disabled People in as many months, but MP Tom Pursglove has plans to stick around. Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey take Access All on the road to the Global Disability Innovation Hub in East London to put the Conservative MP through his paces and ask about his plans as the long-awaited new Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work. And the world’s first disabled astronaut, John McFall, chats to the duo about weightlessness, cramming for his surgeon exams and how his kids reacted when the European Space Agency announced him as the world’s first “parastronaut”. Producers: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording/mixing: Dave O'Neill Series Editor: Beth Rose Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham

It’s been one small step for man, one giant leap for disabled people this week as the European Space Agency announced the world’s first disabled astronaut. Paralympian John McFall was revealed as the first ever parastronaut at a glitzy ceremony in Paris. The BBC’s Jonathan Amos was there and gave Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey the lowdown on the event and John’s new career. Did you know England won the world cup? Nikki and Emma celebrate the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup winners after they defeated France, and attempt ‘The Finlay’ celebratory dance, made famous by footballer Jack Grealish. Producers: Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording/mixing: Dave O'Neill Series Editor: Beth Rose Senior News Editor: Jonathan Aspinwall

Benefits are set to go up with inflation, according to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement, but what's in it for you if you're disabled? Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey get the crucial lowdown from Fazilet Hadid from Disability Rights UK. If you are disabled and thinking of taking a break to New York, her recent experiences might just come in handy. And Martin Hibbert, a survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing, describes his recovery, how so-called disaster trolls have been questioning that the event ever happened at all, and how this has affected him. Producers: Beth Rose, Keiligh Baker, Amy Elizabeth and Emma Tracey Recording/mixing: Dave O'Neill Editors: Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall