Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

Nathan Lee Davies had spent years carefully managing his Direct Payments to save up for a six-day short break to Florida. But when Nathan, who has a life-limiting condition, excitedly told Wrexham Borough County Council about his plans it decided to “claw back” the money. Human rights lawyer Anne-Marie Irwin helps explain the rules around funding short breaks. It’s an essential item, but underwear isn’t always accessible. Primark is trying to change that with its new range of adaptive bras and knickers – but do they live up to the hype? Fashionistas Victoria Jenkin, founder of adaptive clothing brand Unhidden, and Jem Hubbard who goes by the name WheelsNoHeels join Emma Tracey in the studio to see how they shape up. Produced by Beth Rose with Emma Tracey and Niamh Hughes. The editor is Damon Rose, senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill. Subscribe to the podcast on BBC Sounds and email accessall@bbc.co.uk to reach the team

After being consulted on, the government's long-awaited Disability Action Plan is now out there. New Disability Minister Mims Davies says that it's one pillar of the government's overall work for disabled peple, and it'll transform lives. But with the level of significant problems disabled people currently face, is this the right plan at the right time? And what is the National Disability Strategy that runs in parallel alongside it? Featuring Scope's James Taylor, journalist Rachel Charlton -Dailey and BBC Disability Correspondent Nikki Fox. Presented by Emma Tracey, Recorded by Mike Regaard, mixed by Dave O'Neill. Produced by Damon Rose, Niamh Hughes and Emma Tracey The editor is Damon Rose, Senior Editor is Sam Bonham. Email accessall@bbc.co.uk

Mollie Pearce joins us to talk in-depth about those final moments in BBC One's hugely successful reality show, The Traitors. She was one of three disabled people in the cast of 22 who started but was the last disabled woman standing. Emma Tracey talks with her this week on a podcast in which she is very funny and honest about having a stoma and a limb difference. Recorded and mixed by renegade master Dave O'Neill, produced by Niamh Hughes and Beth Rose. Editor Damon Rose, senior editor Sam Bonham. You can email Emma on accessall@bbc.co.uk or follow us on X/Twitter. Shout "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All" for the latest programme.

We've got an extra Access All podcast this week. Former England striker Michael Owen and his son James came into the Access All studio in London to talk about how James is losing his sight, their attitude towards it, and the inclusive football game, futsal. Parents often feel real guilt when a child becomes disabled but, though it hurts, the Owens attempt a constant positivity. They present a documentary on TNT Sport and Discovery Plus on Monday 30 January called Football Is For Everyone where they meet the GB partially sighted futsal team. Though he's been losing his sight for nine years, James hadn't met another visually impaired person until they started filming the documentary. Watch out for the moment the tables turn and Michael starts to interview presenter, Emma Tracey ... Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill, produced by Beth Rose, Emma Tracey and Niamh Hughes. The editor is Damon Rose, senior editor Sam Bonham. Drop Emma a mail on accessall@bbc.co.uk follow @bbcaccessall on X and say "Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All"

Certain medications remain in short supply or out of stock across the UK, which pharmacists have described as a “life threatening” situation, but why is it happening? Community pharmacist and chair of the National Pharmacy Association, Nick Kaye, explains the reasons behind it while Ellie Adams, who lives with epilepsy, talks about the constant anxiety of not knowing if her medication will be available. Ali Kohansal relies on his two parrots - Woodie and Georgie – for emotional support. But Woodie has gone missing which is having a huge impact on his mental health and tinnitus. And adventurer Darren Edwards has kayaked the length of the UK and run seven marathons in seven continents all after becoming paralysed from the chest down in a climbing accident. His next adventure will take him 333km across the Antarctic in just 20 days. But how do you ward against frostbite if you can’t feel your feet? Emma Tracey gets the answer. This episode was made by Beth Rose with Emma Tracey, Niamh Hughes and Alex Collins. It was recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill. Senior editor was Sam Bonham. Email accessall@bbc.co.uk and follow @bbcaccessall on X, formerly Twitter.

Language about sexuality has exploded and, as a result, the LGBT sign language community has found themselves needing new signs to describe the ideas British people are talking about. We talk to Dr Patrick Rosenburg who helped come up with new signs for things like cisgender, trans man, polyamorous and throuple. How did they do it and what does it look like? Spain has its first parliamentarian with Down's syndrome. We talk to Scott Watkin, a former learning disability co-tsar for the UK government, to talk more about learning disabled people playing an active role in politics and how it works. Plus Nina Tame, star of YouTube and social media, joins us to talk about the "micro aggressions" she experiences as a wheelchair user and how her kids sneakily run upstairs when she plays hide and seek with them. Presented by Emma Tracey, featuring Aidy Smith from The Three Drinkers podcast. Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill, produced by Niamh Hughes, Beth Rose, Emma Tracey and Alex Collins. Editor is Damon Rose, senior editor Sam Bonham. Email accessall@bbc.co.uk and follow on @bbcaccessall on X, formerly Twitter.

Impulse spending, losing glasses and misinterpreting conditions on credit cards can mean a great deal of unnecessary expense for people with ADHD. Within the community some refer to it as the "ADHD Tax". Rach Idowu from the Adulting with ADHD newsletter and Prof Amanda Kirby from the University of South Wales who is also chair of the ADHD Foundation Charity, join us. Convicted murderer and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has left prison on parole. The BBC's South Africa correspondent Daniel De Simone speaks to Access All from Pretoria about how the focus of the news locally is on violence against women and girls. Is There Anybody Out There? Ella Glendining went looking for someone who has the same rare impairment as she does, and made a film about it. Find out what discoveries she made along the way. Presented by Emma Tracey and Nikki Fox. Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill. The producers were: Beth Rose, Alex Collins and Niamh Hughes. The editor is Damon Rose, Senior Editor Sam Bonham. Email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find us on X.

Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey present some of our favourite interviews from 2023. From celebs through to people with amazing stories that we've helped bring to the public's attention. At 41, Melanie, a disabled Australian woman, had never had sex so she hired a sex--worker or "sexpert" called Chase who helped her to understand her body and give her the confidence she needed to form new relationships. After we featured it, her story went round the world. When comedian Rosie Jones joined us earlier in the year, she was in the middle of filming a documentary for Channel 4 about the trolling of disabled people - a programme whose title went on to cause plenty of headlines. And polific writer Jack Thorne, a man who has lifelong connections with disability, had just come out as autistic. He spoke to us ahead of his then latest drama, Best Interests, about a 13-year-old girl called Marnie on a life support machine. Her parents wanted to keep her alive and were battling the hospital and the courts. Mixed by Dave O'Neill and produced by Emma Tracey, Beth Rose, Keiligh Baker and Alix Pickles. Editor is Damon Rose, senior editor Sam Bonham. Share this podcast with people you know will appreciate it. If you don't , they may never know it exists. Follow us @BBCAccessAll on X, or mail accessall@bbc.co.uk

Mims Davies is the new disability minister but she's in a lower ranked role than her predecessor with other duties to attend to. We speak to James Taylor, Scope's Director of Strategy, plus Caroline Nokes, MP, and Vicky Foxcroft, Labour’s shadow minister for disabled people, about what many interpret as a de-prioritising of disability issues. Radio 3's Dr Hannah French, a former flautist, joins us to talk about how her relationship with music changed after she became disabled. She's on air across the festive period including Christmas morning to help set the day up with carols and classics. And, Nikki and Emma on sleep and adorning your house with accessible festive goodies. Presented by Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey. Recorded and Mixed by mixman Dave O'Neill. Produced by Damon Rose, Beth Rose, Emma Tracey and Alex Colins,. The editor is Damon Rose, senior editor Sam Bonham. Follow us on the X platform where we are @BBCAccessAll - or email accessall@bbc.co.uk

From fresh-water wells flooded by salty sea water, to avoiding inaccessible emergency shelters, we hear from Ari in Samoa and Melvina in the Solomon Islands about the impact climate change is having on their very exposed corner of the world. It comes as COP28, the UN summit which convenes annually to try and solve the climate crisis - draws to a close in Dubai. This year’s event was meant to be the most inclusive ever – but was it really? The European Disability Forum’s Gordon Ratray, who attended, gives us his lowdown along with Jodie Santos from The Disability Justice Project who is based in Massachusetts, USA. With Christmas party season under way, presenters Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey give their best tips for accessible fashion, with help from a couple of YouTubers. And world-renowned poet Raymond Antrobus joins the duo to talk about poetry, getting his work on the GCSE syllabus and his children’s book Can Bears Ski? About his deaf experience it has been turned into a theatre show that he can’t wait to take his son to see. Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill. Produced by: Beth Rose, Emma Tracey, Damon Rose, Alex Collins and Betty Douglas. The editor is Damon Rose, senior editor Sam Bonham. “Alexa, ask the BBC for Access All” plays the latest edition of the programme. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @BBCAccessAll and on email we’re accessall@bbc.co.uk.