Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

Facing the California wildfires when you’re disabled and marking Holocaust Memorial Day As the California wildfires continue to burn we hear the stories of disabled Los Angeles residents, Carrie and Joci, who had to make decisions around whether to evacuate or not, and if so, how they would do it without plans in place. To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, Dr Helen Atherton talks to Access All about the Nazis' Aktion T4 programme which killed thousands of disabled people they considered “undesirable”. Dr Atherton discovered 13 of those killed were British-born and has created an exhibition to honour them called Finding Ivy. We also talk to Nancy Jennings, the great niece of one of the victims, Zdenko Hoyos. Plus Katie the Wheeled Piper plays for us on her adapted bagpipes. The 18-year-old had the honour of piping in the haggis for the BBC’s Burns Night Extravaganza which is broadcast on 25 January and will be available on BBC iPlayer afterwards. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins and Daniel Gordon Recorded and Edited by Dave O’Neill Edited by Sara Wadeson and Beth Rose

A mum of two tells Emma Tracey about spending more than half of the family’s income on her children's special educational needs (SEND).Alice moved her two daughter’s to a private school after she felt they weren’t being supported in state education. But, from 1 January, private schools lost their charitable status and now must pay VAT of 20% with many schools passing those costs onto parents. Alice fears her family’s financial will only worsen as a result. The Department for Education (DfE) said the government was "making progress" on the issue with a £1bn investment in SEND. We also hear from Luke Sibieta, an economist from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who shares his recent research into the state of SEND education in England.Emma also catches up with adventurer Jonny Huntington who became the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.And, we meet Tina and Jack from Daylight Studio, a music charity which supports people with learning disabilities, whose song Watermelon Fantasy has been sampled by Snoop Dogg!Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Dan Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Editor: Beth Rose

Owen Tooth, the first wheelchair user to direct EastEnders, shares his journey from film to television after feeling invisible in the industry. He discusses the unique challenges he faced and highlights the importance of representation in film. Sam Lewis, a London lawyer dealing with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s, reveals her struggles with inaccessible rental properties and the reluctance of landlords to accommodate disabled tenants. Their insights shed light on the urgent need for improved accessibility and support in housing and media.

Our expert panel looks ahead to what 2025 is likely to bring for disabled people and mental health service users. On the panel are: John Pring, founder and editor of Disability News Service; Richard Taylor of the disability equality charity Scope and Lucy Schonehevel of Rethink Mental Illness. They discuss ongoing issues which are likely to carry on making headlines in 2025 – such as the Assisted Dying Bill and changes to disability benefits. We also hear from disabled BBC correspondents in the worlds of sport and entertainment on what’s coming up. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editors: Farhana Haider, Beth Rose Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill

It’s been a busy year for disabled people. From the Paralympics in Paris to the first ever blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing to a new generation of disabled MPs getting elected to parliament, 2024 has seen its fair share of disabled high achievers. But what’s been YOUR favourite? This special festive episode features a look back at the past year on Access All - as well as the big moments famous friends of the programme have chosen as their 2024 highlights. It also includes the responses our listeners have sent in.Also on the show - BBC Senior North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue drops by to talk about what it’s like working as a blind journalist covering the US - and the moment he found himself on the scene at a rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman tried to assassinate Donald Trump.AND The Choir With No Name - a choir for homeless people - round off our Christmas edition.Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editor: Farhana Haider Recorded and Mixed by Dave O’Neill

Days after clinching the Strictly Come Dancing trophy, Chris McCausland chats with Access All’s Emma Tracey, who is also blind. Chris talks about conquering self-doubt, the trust that went into his partnership with Strictly pro, Dianne Buswell and how his success on the show has caused positive waves far beyond the blind community. He also gives the inside track on his brand new Christmas film, Bad Tidings, with Lee Mack and the huge comedy tour he is about to embark on with 250 dates… Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editor: Beth Rose Sound recording and mixing: Dave O’NeillSubscribe to Access All on BBC Sounds and contact the team by emailing accessall@bbc.co.uk

Paralympian James Brown, who is partially sighted, has given his first broadcast interview to Access All since he won compensation from the government over his treatment in prison.Brown reached an out of court settlement with the Ministry of Justice after he launched legal proceedings for being denied his access needs in jail.He’d been given a custodial sentence for glueing himself to a plane as part of an Extinction Rebellion protest.We also hear from Recoop, a charity which supports older prisoners, about the situation facing other disabled inmates in the UK.And we hear from the writer Melanie Reid, on why she’s put an end to Spinal Column — her regular updates for the Times newspaper, which documented her trials and tribulations since she became a tetraplegic and a wheelchair user following a riding accident in 2010.Presenter: Emma Tracey Editor: Farhana Haider Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Sound recording and mixing: Dave O’Neill

A miniature, toy version has been launched of a scheme to help people inform others they have a hidden disability. The hidden disabilities sunflower lanyard scheme has been running for eight years. The idea is to use the lanyards to inform the public that anybody wearing one might need extra help. Emma meets Paul White, who founded the scheme. She gets a demonstration of the new Lego figures from 14-year-old Jayden, who has a heart condition known as long QT Syndrome, and her mum, Tasha, who has three other children who also have hidden disabilities. Also on the show - to mark Disability History Month, we hear from historian Professor David Turner Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Sound recording and mixing: Dave O'Neill Editor: Farhana Haider

Mental health campaigners have warned the government to avoid "unhealthy benefit war rhetoric" strategy when it finalises its plans to get more benefits claimants back to work. We hear the reaction of Catherine Parsons, who oversees the Big Issue’s specialist employment service Big Issue Recruit. The service helps find work for those who face barriers including homeless people, ex offenders and others with mental health issues. We also investigate data from a children’s rights charity suggesting that many disabled kids in care, and care leavers, could be missing out on vital support. And Emma speaks to CBeebies presenter George Webster, who has Down’s Syndrome.Presenter: Emma Tracey Produced by: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Recorded and Mixed by Dave O'Neill Edited by: Farhana Haider

The podcast offers poignant testimonies from disabled individuals reflecting on the profound effects of the pandemic on their lives. Personal accounts of inaccessible medical care reveal harsh realities faced during Covid-19. Experts discuss urgent health inequalities and necessary systemic changes for vulnerable populations. Innovative wheelchair technology is explored, showcasing advancements that enhance mobility. A humorous proposal for robots to tackle burdensome administrative tasks adds a lighthearted touch to the serious conversation.