Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

When he was a child, Australian singer Sheldon Riley was diagnosed with autism and says he was never expected to talk. But next week he’ll be competing in the Eurovision song contest. He tells Nikki about the challenges he faced growing up and how he deals with performing at large noisy events. Nikki also chats to life coach Mary Doyle after figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed disabled employees are paid, on average, 13.8% less than their non-disabled peers. And actor Ruth Madeley talks about her latest film project with Rebel Wilson, why every film set should have an accessibility co-ordinator and the best writing advice she got from legendary screenwriter Russell T Davies. With Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey This week's Access All was made by Beth Rose and Keiligh Baker. The technical producer was Dave O'Neill. The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall.

In the very first episode of Access All, Nikki Fox meets the families with disabled children who rely on specialist medical equipment and are facing very difficult decisions as energy bills in the UK soar. Dan’s taken to lifting his 12-year-old daughter, Emily, from sofa to wheelchair rather than use her power-guzzling hoist. It might save money, but it’s damaging his back. Single-mum, Adele, wants to take her terminally ill daughter, Molly, out on day trips but with lifts and suction machines needing to be charged, it’s become impossible to pay for these outings. Nikki and Emma Tracey explore exclusive figures obtained for the podcast from the charity Contact, which surveyed 5,500 families about the impact of increasing energy costs. Almost 2,000 families said they feared their child's condition would get worse as a result of rising prices. Ever wanted to join a gym, but found the biggest barrier is walking through the door? Emma has the lowdown on how to begin your gym-journey while revealing her own blindie anxieties. And baking legend, Briony May Williams chats cake, limb difference, learning to love the ‘d’ word and why she’s so excited about her brand new comedy show. This week’s Access All was made by Beth Rose and Keiligh Baker. The cost of living producer was Alice Cuddy. The technical producer was Dave O’Neill. The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall.

Wheelchair user Tanya fled Ukraine for Poland, worried she couldn't evacuate from her fourth floor flat in an emergency. And an autistic journalist left Moscow when her article denouncing the war on Ukraine went viral, afraid she'd be detained by the Russian government. The two disabled women tell their stories to Ellis Palmer and Emma Tracey. This is the last episode of Ouch. Stay tuned to this feed for news of an exciting new programme. For now, say to your smart speaker "ask the BBC for Ouch" and subscribe so you're ahead of the game for a new weekly programme to keep you on the inside track.

The Winter Paralympics are under way in Beijing, featuring a host of daredevils who ski, board and sometimes crash down mountains. A large portion of ParalympicsGB is made up of military veterans who were wounded or became ill during active service. They took up the sports as novices through the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST). So why is snow so good for rehab? And what skills will they be sharing now the Olympic team has come calling, and want to work with them? Elizabeth Winfield and Simon Allanson from AFPST reveal all, along with Jonny Huntington who experienced a brain bleed in 2014 and took up skiing afterwards. He’s also hoping to become the first disabled person to travel from Antarctica to the South Pole, solo. With Beth Rose. Subscribe to Ouch on BBC Sounds and email the team on ouch@bbc.co.uk

As the Winter Paralympics begin in Beijing, join us on a whistle-stop tour of disabled life in China.Jia, a 26-year-old student who uses a wheelchair, says she sees more disabled people out and about in China than ever before, but access to education and the workplace can be challenging.China expert Stephen Hallett, who has a visual impairment, says progress accelerated when Beijing hosted the Summer Paralympics in 2008, but when President XI Jinping came to power, grassroots disability activism was squashed. Presented by Beth Rose. The editor was Damon Rose (no relation) To listen, say "Ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker, and subscribe on BBC Sounds. email ouch@bbc.co.uk

Our guests were all told to shield at the start of the pandemic. Gareth has Crohn's disease and receives nutrition through a line in his chest leaving him open to sepsis. George struggles with respiratory infections due to Muscular dystrophy. And Keiligh, with a kind of leukaemia, takes meds that suppress her immune system. Now, as the prime minister lifts restrictions for everyone, they recall their two years of isolation and consider a future living with the virus. Produced by Keiligh Baker and Emma Tracey. Tell your smart speaker "Ask the BBC for Ouch" and subscribe to us on BBC Sounds to get the latest podcast.

In 2020 the global sex toy market was valued at more than £24bn by industry experts* – but does it cater enough to disabled people?Curious? Explore the world of accessible (and inaccessible) sex toys in this podcast... Kelly Gordon, head creative at sex toy brand Hot Octupuss, shares her own saucy anecdotes alongside Joy Addo, who talks about her life as a “fat, black, blind, SEXY, single mother-of-one” on her own show, Joy’s World The Podcast. The duo also discuss practical advice, a secret “pleasure room” and how disabled people can buy and use sex aids, helping to navigate a topic that is too often taboo. Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on BBC Sounds or say "Ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker. Presented by Keiligh Baker Produced by Amy Elizabeth *Grand View Research first reported the global sex toys market had been valued at £24bn in 2020: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/sex-toys-market

Our reality podcast continues. Kate has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and is recovering from a hysterectomy when, after managing to avoid it for almost two years, she contracts covid-19. Holly has no immunity due to being a transplant patient, will she also test positive now it's reached the household? If you have any advice or wish to share your experiences with Kate, please email producer Amy at amy.elizabeth@bbc.co.uk Please note this podcast is not to be used as a reference for medical advice; always speak to a professional if you have any concerns regarding covid-19. Listen to Ouch's Isolation Diaries with Kate and Holly right now by saying "ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker. And subscribe now on BBC Sounds.

Our reality podcast. Kate has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, is a mum of two, wife to an immunocompromised Holly, and is awaiting a hysterectomy. A complex situation where Covid restrictions have brought more obstacles than anyone could have imagined. After months of anxiety and years of pain, Kate is given a date for the surgery - but unfortunately it doesn't go smoothly. Emotions take over as plans are thwarted. Expect tears as Kate records the most intimate and challenging moments - as they happen. If you have any advice or wish to share your experiences with Kate, please email producer Amy Elizabeth at amy.elizabeth@bbc.co.uk Listen to Ouch's Isolation Diaries with Kate and Holly right now by saying "ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker. And subscribe now on BBC Sounds.

Rianna Walcott, The co-editor of upcoming anthology The Colour of Madness, says being black made it harder to get mental health support. She explains why some in her family are wary of medication. In the last episode of Mentally Interesting for now, our presenters are thinking about hope and revealing their "most absurd secret habits." With Mark Brown and Seaneen Molloy. The producer is Emma Tracey and the studio manager is Dave O'Neill.