Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

It's been a fast-moving day in the House of Commons as MPs voted to send the welfare bill on the next stage of its journey through parliament, but it's been far from clear-cut.Halfway through the impassioned debate from MPs on the effects of eligibility changes to benefits, the government offered up another concession - to delay any changes to one of them, Pip, until after a report involving disabled people is published in Autumn 2026.Many disabled campaigners are pleased with this change, but worried changes to the health element of Universal Credit for new claimants still currently stands. To explain the day's events and make sense of it all, we hear from Warren Kirwan from Scope, Fazilet Hadi from Disability Rights UK and Dan Bloom from Politico. Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Mike Regaard and Dave O'Neill Produced and edited by Damon Rose and Beth Rose (not related!)

Just after the clock struck midnight in Westminster all of the rumours and rumblings around the government's welfare reform plans to save £5bn came to a head as Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, released a letter to MPs outlining a series of concessions to the plans. They include making no changes to existing deals people have and disability co-production, which means inviting disability organisations to the table to help shape some of the reforms, going forward. So, have the changes pleased everyone? Mikey Erhardt, from Disability Rights UK and Labour MP Ian Byrne give their take on what the concessions mean. And we hear from Minister for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall. Presented by Emma Tracey Producer: Alex Collins Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose Sound design and mixed by Dave O'Neill

Financial journalist and author Jessie Hewitson was amused when her five-year-old came home from school and declared he has DHD. She thought he'd somewhat ironically missed out the 'A' in a hurry. But after thinking about it for a while, she thought he may well have succcessfullly diagnosed himself. A few years on and both of Jessie's sons have been diagnosed with ADHD, and she has received a diagnosis too. Having previously written about autism and how to ensure an autistic child is happy she's back with a new book - How To Raise a Happy ADHD Child - and offers listeners her thoughtful advice. Presenter Emma Tracey is joined by BBC journalist Hayley Clarke to talk through the latest headlines including the twists and turns of the government's welfare reform bill. And if you're gearing up for a trip to Glastonbury, or any other festival for that matter, Hayley, who's going for a sixth time, has a list of top tips on how to survive a festival if you're neurodivergent. Sound recording and mix: Dave O'Neill Producer: Emma Tracey and Alex Collins Series Producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

From benefits to AI, Emma Tracey looks through the headlines with BBC tech reporter Paul Carter, as well as sharing a few unexpected stories from their personal lives as innocent-looking 'smugglers'.And comedian Rosie Jones with actor and reporter Ruben Reuter join Emma to talk about Pushers - the new Channel 4 sitcom written by Rosie about a disabled woman who becomes a drug pusher through desperation after losing her benefits money. Sound recording and mix: Dave O'Neill Producers: Alex Collins and Emma Tracey Series Producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

The much-awaited government bill introducing benefits changes has been published today and officially introduced to parliament, kicking off the process of getting it into law.There were no surprises in the snappily-named Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill which outlined and confirmed the tightening of Pip eligibility and acknowledged the concession that there will be a 13-week transition period for those whose benefits are being withdrawn. Lots of you got in touch with questions about what this all means - so Access All presenter, Emma Tracey, BBC Social Affairs Correspondent Michael Buchanan and Yahoo News UK journalist, Jasmine Andersson, join up with BBC 5 Live Drive to answer them.Presenter: Emma Tracey Sound mix: Dave O’Neill Series Producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose And with special thanks to the Five Live Drive team, especially Kirsty Macaulay!

Emma Tracey explores how accessible beaches are if you are a wheelchair user, and how inclusive open water swimming is if you can't see. Some really useful and interesting info you won't want to miss in this chat with Will Behenna, Director of the Beach Access Project, and Sadie Rockliffe from the University of Brighton And Dr Grace Spence Green is the woman who was disabled when a man fell on her from a height at a shopping centre in London. She was 22-years-old and continued her studies to become a doctor. She has a new book out and says becoming disabled radicalised her. Presenter and producer Emma Tracey Sound design by Dave O'Neill Produced by Kirsteen Knight Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose And a special shout-out to our friends at BBC South East who got their toes wet by visiting the swimmers in Brighton.

Ever wondered what other people's therapy sessions are like? We meet a counsellor with her client and talk about the why and the how of building back the self esteem of a man who's had his legs amputated and wants to rejoin the dating scene. Plus ... is getting a wheelchair accessible taxi difficult in your area? Find out why Northern Island has lost a lot of cab drivers these last few years (Clue: Covid didn’t help). Presenter: Emma Tracey Sound: Dave O’Neill Producers: Kirsteen Knight and Alex Collins Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

More than 100 influential disabled people have signed an open letter to Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, calling £5bn worth of benefit cuts, “cruel”.Screenwriter, Jack Thorne, behind hits including Adolescence and Toxic Town talks exclusively to Access All about why he signed the letter which dubs the planned reforms “cruelty by policy”. The Department for Work and Pensions says its “determined to support people in all parts of the county”. Also, we hear from author and The Guardian columnist, Frances Ryan about how a trip to the pub lead to her chronic illness and why her new book Who Wants Normal? The Disabled Girl’s Guide To Life is essential reading for everyone. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins Sound recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Damon Rose

Ellie Simmonds, a five-time Paralympic gold medalist and TV presenter, shares her insights on the urgent need for disability activism. She discusses recent protests in the UK and US, highlighting the impact of welfare cuts and challenges faced by activists. Ellie also introduces her documentary, 'Should I Have Children?', reflecting on the decisions of parents facing potential disabilities in their unborn children. The conversation delves into her own experiences and the broader societal pressures surrounding parenthood for those with disabilities.

Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, cannot support the announced benefits changes and speaks to Emma Tracey about the experiences she has had as a disabled person herself. BBC's political correspondent Helen Catt walks us through whether government will face a significant challenge getting their legislation through parliament this summer, with other insights. Then, music from American artist, Gaelynn Lea, who's touring the UK. The discussion includes the folk singer and musician’s bespoke way of playing violin, like a cello rather than up on her shoulder.Sound recording and mixing by Dave O'Neill, producers Beth Rose and Alex Collins, the editor was Damon Rose. Spread the word loyal followers.