Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

It is known as the land of the “fair go” but some disabled people hoping to move to Australia are having their visa applications rejected because of presumed costs around their health care. Emma Tracey speaks to the BBC’s Australia correspondent, Katy Watson, who experienced this policy first hand when filing paperwork for her son who has Down’s syndrome. And Jonathon Wales, who planned to move to Australia for a dream job, says his family’s hopes were crushed when their plans were halted because his son is autistic. We hear about the legislative review that is looking into this. Also in this episode, Dominique Davis - aka Variety D - talks about how it feels to perform on stage as a black, female, disabled comic.Presenter Emma Tracey Production by Alex Collins and Daniel Gordon Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Edited by Beth Rose

It’s the summer of sport, with Wimbledon and the Euros underway and the Olympics and Paralympics to come. The charity Level Playing Field, which advocates for disabled sports fans, says the sporting action has brought with it an increase in disability hate speech online and in stadiums. Emma Tracey speaks to Tony Taylor from Level Playing Field and Willoughby Ellson, a player from Norwich City’s cerebral palsy team which recently won the FA Disability CP Cup in a match against Chelsea Foundation. Also in this episode, Emma speaks to American social media influencer Rachel Chaleff, also known as Keet. Her social media videos about life with Tourette’s syndrome are watched by millions of followers. Presenter Emma Tracey Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Edited by Ben Mundy and Beth Rose

In our final general election special we’re working through a few more topics you told us you wanted to hear about. Cost of living impacts everyone, but it can be particularly challenging if you’re disabled – how do our panel envision the situation could be improved? And while many people work, we also know lots of you care for someone you love, so how might the topics of employment and Carer’s Allowance shake down when the next government is in place? This week’s expert panel - Rensa Gaunt from Inclusion London, James Taylor from Scope and BBC Social Affairs Correspondent, Michael Buchanan. Have a very merry general election, from the Access All team. Presented by Emma Tracey Production by Alex Collins and Natasha Fernandes Sound recording and editing by Dave O’Neill Edited by Beth Rose We always love to hear form you. Get in touch by emailing accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

Emma Tracey interviews representatives from all the major parties to find out what they are pledging when it comes to disability and mental health, ahead of the general election on 4 July. In this edition, we hear from Mags Lewis of the Green Party and Liz Saville Roberts from Plaid Cymru. Reform UK did not put forward a representative for this interview. Instead, BBC Political Correspondent, David Cornock, has taken a look at Reform UK’s manifesto to discuss what the party is planning. Kate Lamble, from More or Less, a Radio 4 programme all about numbers, also offers some analysis on how the plans add up. Production: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins and Natasha Mayo Sound recording and editing: Dave O’Neill Editors: Farhana Haider and Beth Rose At the time of recording, all the statistics provided by the Disability Policy Centre, around the number of disabled candidates were correct. The DPC says it will continue to collate the information and will have a final tally shortly after the election. Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us at accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

Emma Tracey interviews representatives from all the major parties to find out what they are pledging when it comes to disability and mental health, ahead of the general election on 4 July. In this edition, we hear from Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, and Marion Fellows, disabilities spokesperson for the Scottish National Party. Kate Lamble, from More or Less, a Radio 4 programme all about numbers, also offers some analysis on how the plans add up. Production: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins and Natasha Mayo Sound recording and editing: Dave O’Neill Editors: Farhana Haider and Beth RoseAt the time of recording, all the statistics provided by the Disability Policy Centre, around the number of disabled candidates were correct. The DPC says it will continue to collate the information and will have a final tally shortly after the election.Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us at accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

Emma Tracey interviews representatives from all the major parties to find out what they are pledging when it comes to disability and mental health, ahead of the general election on 4 July.In this edition, we hear from Angela Rayner, deputy leader of the Labour Party.Kate Lamble, from More or Less, a Radio 4 programme all about numbers, also offers some analysis on how the plans add up.Production: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins and Natasha MayoSound recording and editing: Dave O’NeillEditors: Farhana Haider and Beth RoseAt the time of recording, all the statistics provided by the Disability Policy Centre, around the number of disabled candidates were correct. The DPC says it will continue to collate the information and will have a final tally shortly after the election.Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us at accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

Emma Tracey interviews representatives from all the major parties to find out what they are pledging when it comes to disability and mental health, ahead of the general election on 4 July.In this edition, we hear from Mims Davies, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work for the Conservative Party. Kate Lamble, from More or Less, a Radio 4 programme all about numbers, also offers some analysis on how the plans add up.Production: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins and Natasha MayoSound recording and editing: Dave O’NeillEditors: Farhana Haider and Beth RoseAt the time of recording, all the statistics provided by the Disability Policy Centre, around the number of disabled candidates were correct. The DPC says it will continue to collate the information and will have a final tally shortly after the election.Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us at accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

Another episode dedicated to election-related topics suggested by you, the audience.This time round, we look at mental health, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), housing and how, for many immunocompromised, disabled people, the COVID pandemic never ended.This week’s panel – Fazilet Hadi from Disability Rights UK, and veteran of our previous panel; Sam Carlisle from Disabled Children’s Partnership; and Nil Guzelgun from mental health charity Mind – look at what the seven main parties standing in the General Election on 4 July are offering on those issues.Presented by Emma Tracey Production by Daniel Gordon and Natasha Mayo Sound recording and editing by Dave O’Neill Edited by Farhana Haider

BBC Scotland political reporter Ian Hamilton joins Emma Tracey on this week’s podcast. Both of them are blind and they discuss why they and other blind people can’t confidently vote in secret.They talk about the pitfalls of tactile voting templates and share their experiences of polling station staff. They also consider whether technology might offer a solution in the future. Also on the show: Britain’s fastest deaf swimmer, 25-year-old Nathan Young, on his 1,000 day campaign to persuade politicians to fund his bid to compete in next year’s Deaflympics.Presented by Emma Tracey Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill The editor was Farhana HaiderIs there is an election issue affecting disabled people you think we should be talking about? Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us mailto:accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on Twitter/X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

We asked what was on your mind ahead of the General Election and you answered in your droves.Despite an estimated 16 million people being disabled in the UK many of you told us you feel invisible - why is that? People with learning disabilities are said to be the group least likely to own photographic ID, such as a driving licence, potentially adding an extra barrier to polling day. We fill you in on how to prepare.And our fabulous panel – Politco reporter Bethany Dawson, Mark Brookes from Dimensions UK and My Vote, My Voice and Fazilet Hadi from Disability Rights UK –give their insights and predictions on what might happen when it comes to key areas including social care and benefits.Presented by Emma Tracey Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Edited by Beth RoseIs there is an election issue affecting disabled people you think we should be talking about? Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us mailto:accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on Twitter/X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.