Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

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.

More than 350 disabled people’s organisations have formed a coalition to oppose the Assisted Dying Bill. The bill proposes that anyone aged over 18 in England and Wales who has a terminal illness with six months or less to live should be allowed assistance to end their lives. Safeguards within the proposals include two doctors and a high court judge approving the request.The new coalition is being led by Disability Rights UK, which despite having long held a neutral stance on the issue has now announced it opposes it.Emma Tracey speaks to DRUK Policy and Campaigns Officer, Bethany Bale and Professor Tom Shakespeare, who was one of eight disabled academics and campaigners to sign an open letter to MPs calling on them to support the bill.Also on the show – Strictly Come Dancing insider, Reece Finnegan-Knight, comes on to spill all about blind contestant Chris McCausland and THAT blackout performance.Reece himself is blind and works as an assistant producer on the show. He also runs popular TikTok account, Blind and Blonde, with his wife, Sophie, and during the interview reveals the inspiration behind their viral videos like “My Blind Boyfriend - the Stereotype edition”. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editor: Beth Rose Sound recording and mixing: Dave O’Neill

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Mine Conkbayir, an early years researcher and newly diagnosed ADHD advocate, teams up with her husband, comedy actor Paul Whitehouse. They explore the complexities of ADHD, including its impact on women and common misconceptions. Dr. Mine shares her childhood traumas and the challenges of emotional regulation, while Paul reflects on the surprising prevalence of ADHD among his comedy peers. They also introduce intriguing concepts like 'dopamining' and 'doom piling,' advocating for a more nuanced understanding of ADHD.

The Budget is done and dusted and the US elections about to start. How do disabled people fit in to these big political events? Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her budget. Bethany Dawson from Politico and disability charity Scope’s head of policy, James Taylor,talk us through the bits disabled people care about. They discuss the increase in the minimum wage and a rise in what carers can earn before their carer’s allowance gets stopped. Will any of the chancellor’s announcements help disabled people with their household bills? And how significant is the £1 Billion Reeves has promised for special educational needs and disabilities?The experts break it down for us. As Over 40 million disabled Americans head to the polls to vote for their next president, Trump supporter and disability policy expert Melissa Ortiz and disability activist and Harris supporter Mia Ives Rublee predict what their candidate will do for this community if they win. Our guests also give us an insight into how Trump and Harris treat disabled people when the cameras are off.. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins and Emma Tracey. Edited by Damon Rose and Sara Wadeson.

Pop Idol star Gareth Gates and former Labour politician-turned-TV star, Ed Balls drop by the Access All studio to chat to Emma Tracey about living with a stammer. More than 20 years after he shot to fame on Pop Idol in 2002 Gareth talks about the new musical he is penning which is all about stammering. He has an overt or exteriorised stammer which causes him to get stuck at the start of a word and repeat the initial letter. Former politician, Ed, didn’t realise he had a stammer until he was already serving in Gordon Brown’s government. He has a covert stammer and describes it as a “block” which means the right words don't always come. He reveals the impact it had on political life when his rivals used it to rock the public’s confidence in him and the moment he knew he had to go public. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producer: Alex Collins Editor: Beth Rose Sound: Dave O’Neill and Daniel Gordon

Join Elliot Caswell, a young disabled job seeker tracked by the BBC for five years, as he shares his frustrating journey navigating employment barriers. Stephen Veevers, CEO of HFT, discusses the systemic challenges outlined in a recent House of Lords report, while also highlighting success stories in the employment sector. Parents Trude and Robert reflect on their son Mats Steen's vibrant online life, revealing the deep connections he forged through gaming. Friends Xenia and Mikkel share how those digital bonds translated into emotional support during tough times.

Teen drama Heartstopper has gained a huge following on Netflix and the third series, which has just dropped, is no different. This time the love story between Nick and Charlie comes with the added complexity of Charlie’s eating disorder. It’s a challenge many LGBTQ+ people face. According to the charity Just Like Us, 20% of young LGBTQ+ teenagers experience an eating disorder compared to 7% of non-LGBTQ+ young people. Why are the numbers so different? Writer and broadcaster Matthew Todd, an expert on mental health issues affecting gay men explores the reasons behind this and James Downs, a gay man and researcher, talks about his own experience of an eating disorder in his teens. Plus author Liz Pichon talks about her best-selling Tom Gates series which has sold 16-million copies and is a hit with dyslexic children and reluctant readers. Liz talks frankly about her own experience of dyslexia and slips in a few easter eggs along the way revealing what Tom might get up to next…. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins and Emma Tracey Sound recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Edited by Beth Rose The national eating disorder charity Beat has a helpline run by trained advisors for anybody who’s concerned they may need help with the issues discussed in this episode. The number is 0808 801 0677.

This week, Access All lives up to its name - we’ve been granted permission to go inside MI5 and meet an autistic senior intelligence officer. Liam (not his real name and voiced by an actor) tells Emma Tracey what it’s like to work as a senior manager and the responsibility he feels for protecting public security. He reveals the moment he first experienced autistic burnout and the strategies he has learned to cope going forward. Liam goes on to describe the support he was offered by MI5 and his colleagues. The BBC’s Security Correspondent, Gordon Corera, also drops by to give the inside story on the role of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency and offers up some interesting spy stories from the past. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producer: Alex Collins Actor voicing Liam: Matthew McCloud Mixed by Dave O'Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Daniel Gordon The Access All team love hearing from you. You can email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find @bbcaccessall on X and Instagram.