Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

The launch of Chat GPT-4o is already making it easier for blind and visually impaired people to live independent lives, and promises to open up accessibility for people with many other disabilities. Emma Tracey gathers a panel of experts, featuring technology journalist Paul Carter; the CEO of Be My Eyes Mike Buckley; and Professor Annalu Waller, Director of the Augmentative and Alternate Communication Research Group at the University of Dundee. They discuss what the technology might mean for disabled people – considering not only the advantages, but also the potential downsides. Also in this episode, Emma takes part in a workshop called Hair&Care, where visually impaired people learn to style their own hair.Presenter Emma Tracey Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill Edited by Ben Mundy

The boss of Paralympics GB joins us, with just over 100 days to go until this summer’s Games in Paris. From studying politics to a spell in banking – not to mention playing blind football for England - we explore the work Dave Clarke’s done to help innovate the workforce – and the playing field.Plus, is Right Care, Right Person the right approach? The scheme used by several police forces in England and Wales means fewer officers attend mental health calls. Instead support is provided by the NHS and mental health services. One top police boss believes it is a success, but as you’ll hear mental health charities have concerns. Presenter Emma Tracey The episode was made by Alex Collins and Daniel Gordon Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill The editor was Ben Mundy

Former carer turned Minister for Disabled People, Mims Davies, discusses government's decisions on Carer's Allowance, UK's duty to disabled people, and progress of the BSL Advisory Board. Topics include media inclusion, empowering disabled individuals, debate on assisted dying, and a current bill impacting disabled people and health conditions.

Activism has been a part of Liz Carr’s career since the start, particularly when it comes to assisted dying, also known as assisted suicide. She’s made a documentary on the world service, and even a musical on the topic, and now she has a new BBC documentary, provocatively named Better Off Dead? In this special episode, Liz chats to Emma about making the documentary including: seeing how it works in Canada, her fears about abuse and her sympathy for terminally ill people. "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All" is one way of listening to us; subscribing on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts is another. Access All was made by: Daniel Gordon, Drew Hyndman and Alex Collins. The editor is Alex Lewis, senior editor Sam Bonham, the presenter is Emma Tracey. It was recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill.

The government has published its consultation on changes to the Personal Independence Payment benefit, PIP. Emma Tracey asks Scope's Head of Policy James Taylor for his analysis. With GCSEs, A-levels and other exams starting this month, Emma speaks to one of the people responsible for working out exam access arrangements for students who need it. Here's where you get the lowdown on extended time, breaks, alternative quiet exam rooms, prompters etc that you or your child may be given, from someone on the ground right now fixing it all - Martine Chapman Special Literacy Teacher at Dorothy Stringer School in Brighton. And, How To Do Life with a Chronic Illness is the title of Pippa Stacey's new book. Pippa has ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and she tells Emma that she likes to focus on things you CAN do and how you can do them, rather than concentrating on medical matters. "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All" is one way of listening to us; subscribing on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts is another. Access All was made by: Niamh Hughes, Drew Hyndman and Alex Collins. The editor is Damon Rose, senior editor Sam Bonham, the presenter is Emma Tracey. It was recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill.

Emma Tracey speaks to the mother of a 35 year old woman with learning disabilities who has been living in a mental health facility “unnecessarily” for three years. She says there is no reason for her to be living there and that it's due to lack of appropriate housing and care in the community. We also hear from autistic author Alexis Quinn who feels let down by the system but is living in her own home now. Mencap's analysis shows over 2,000 learning disabled or autistic people are inappropriately leading restricted lives in hospital. Dan Scorer from the charity shines some light on the situation as the government again misses its own target to bring down the numbers. Last week prime minister Rishi Sunak outlined the Conservative's plans to change work and Personal Independent Payments (PIP) benefits if they win the pending general election. Talk of benefits change is always concerning and Drew Hyndman from the Access All team combs through what he said and puts it in perspective. Activist Shani Dhanda is presently the number one most influential disabled person in the UK according to Shaw Trust's Power 100 list. As the proud Brummy starts a new programme on the BBC's Asian Network, she talks to us about her journey to understanding what being disabled means. Access All was made by Niamh Hughes, Alex Collins, Drew Hyndman, and edited by Damon Rose and Alex Lewis. Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill. The Senior Editor is Sam Bonham. "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All" to play the latest episode. Or subscribe on BBC Sounds app or website.

It's Access All's 100th edition! To mark the occasion we’ve provided a bumper episode – including an interview with Rose Ayling-Ellis talking about how she is changing the conversation around British Sign Language.Also on the show: A glimpse behind the scenes – what really goes on when making Access All. Plus celebs give their advice on how to live your best disabled life.Presenter Emma Tracey. The episode was made by Drew Hyndman, Niamh Hughes and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill The editors were Damon Rose and Alex Lewis. To get in touch with the team email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find us on X, @bbcaccessall. Don’t forget to subscribe by finding us on BBC Sounds.

Disability activist and commentator Samantha Renke says the law on disability hate speech needs to be strengthened after a podcast discussion about dating someone in a wheelchair goes viral. Also on the show: Actress and comedian Ashley Storrie talks about the autistic character she plays in the new BBC Three comedy drama Dinosaur. The episode was made by Daniel Gordon with Drew Hyndman and Alexander Collins Recorded and mixed by Michael Regaard The editor is Alex Lewis

Tom Shakespeare is Access All presenter Emma Tracey's special guest for an Easter spectacular edition of the podcast.He talks about becoming a novelist for the first time in his 50s, and why he created a disabled character to be the hero of his first non-fiction book. He also discusses the work he is better known for - a lifetime of disability activism and research - and his profile as a commentator on issues that affect disabled people. The episode was made by Daniel Gordon, with Niamh Hughes and Emma Tracey. The editor is Alex Lewis. Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill.To get in touch with the team, email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find us on X, @bbcaccessall .

Heartstopper star Bradley Riches lifts the lid on how he coped with having autism as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother. Also on the show: the inventor of a new dating app which he says is fully neuro-diverse friendly.The episode was made by Daniel Gordon with Niamh Hughes and Emma Tracey. Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill. The editor is Alex Lewis. To get in touch with the team email accessall@bbc.co..uk or find us on X, @bbcaccessall.