The Way We Roll

It was hard to miss the furore of the offensive language moment at the BAFTAs this year. A couple of months on, we take a cool, reflective look at what went wrong and how we can do better next time. We wonder whether this moment has progressed the inclusion of people with Tourette’s? It seems the Covid impact on working from home is truly ending as remote work declines and more employees are expected to be in their workplaces. Does this have a disproportionate and negative impact on disabled employees? That said, we need to ensure we don’t argue for a world where disabled people only work from home. Ten years ago, in April 2016, we recorded our first podcast. Back then, the Brexit referendum had just begun, there was a review of disability benefits and a doctors’ strike. Plus ça change! We remember the first pod and highlight a couple of favourite moments since. To wrap up, Phil has good news after MSPs rejected a law to introduce assisted suicide in Scotland, and Simon recommends the Disability And… podcast with Jack Thorne and Eli Beaton, who talk about disability and television. Links BBC I Swear director says Baftas 'let down' Tourette's campaigner The Guardian letters re BAFTA BAFTA Statement Feb 2026 BAFTA Tourette's row has 'reversed' film's message Tourettes Hero Remote Jobs Are Disappearing — And Disabled Workers Are Paying The Price Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dying Disability and… Access to TV podcast First show April 2016

In this episode of The Way We Roll, we are joined by broadcaster and journalist Mark Mardell to unpack a shocking travel experience that raises bigger questions about disability, power, and dignity. Airports and airlines often frame decisions around safety — but where is the line between care and control? Mark’s experience highlights how quickly concern can morph into blanket policies based on assumptions rather than evidence, leaving disabled passengers powerless and stranded. Mark shares his story of being refused boarding on a flight from Istanbul to London simply because he has Parkinson’s—and no doctor’s letter to “prove” he was fit to fly. It’s a deeply personal account of confusion, humiliation, and bureaucratic indifference in one of the world’s busiest airports. Mark describes the humiliation, isolation, and loss of autonomy, from being publicly questioned to wandering an airport alone without support or information. Mark’s response to this experience — fuelled by anger and a strong network- has helped force a policy change. The episode explores how collective voices, media attention, and persistence can turn a personal injustice into wider change. Links Mark Mardell Wikipedia BBC article 27th October 2025 Rights on Flights

The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) has been around since 1957 and has a remarkable impact. Tom Yendell from the MFPA is our guest and explains the organisation's purpose: supporting artists who paint without using their hands. There are 33 British artists and nearly 800 worldwide, and they are born with a uniqueness or disability or acquire them later in life. MFPA provides a supportive environment for artists to express themselves creatively, often helping them regain a sense of purpose after experiencing life-altering events. It supports artists with disabilities by providing grants, art materials, and local tutors to help them become professional artists. Digital art represents both a threat and a challenge for the MFPA. The organisation needs to bring along the supporters who prefer the non-digital work and explore digital options to attract a younger demographic. 2026 is a big year for the AMFPA with its 70th Anniversary Conference and four-day exhibition in London in April. Links Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Wikipedia on international AMFPA VDMFK and the London conference Open Road Access WAV vehicle hire

In this episode of The Way We Roll, we’re joined by Dr Georges Petitjean, founder of WARM (Workplace Addiction Recovery Movement). Georges set up WARM after years of seeing the same pattern play out: Employees struggling with substance use were too nervous to tell their employers because of the potential consequences, including discrimination or career damage, rather than support being offered. Although in recent years there’s been a rise in openness about work-related mental health conversations, addiction has largely been left out. That silence matters, with around 8–10% of employees affected by substance use disorders. Only a small fraction ever receives treatment; most are at work and coping alone. Our conversation explores why some organisations still insist “this isn’t happening here” – a familiar reaction to anyone who remembers when disability was hushed up. We talk about how stigma, language, and fear delay support, often until things reach a crisis point. Georges explains why WARM focuses on psychological safety rather than diagnosis or discipline. The aim is simple but powerful: make it safer to talk, easier to seek help, and more normal to access support early. That benefits individuals, teams, and organisations alike. We also dig into the overlaps – addiction, mental health, chronic pain, prescribed medication, disability, and work culture. Addiction itself isn’t recognised as a disability under the Equality Act, but the associated mental health conditions often are. Georges outlines plans for a pilot with employers who want to lead rather than look away. This means small changes, better language, clearer signposting and a willingness to know what’s really going on. It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation about something we don’t talk about enough – and why it needs to be discussed more. Links www.warmatwork.org

Our first podcast of 2026 has our usual mix of debate, provocation, humour, and, we like to think, important insight. We discuss how disability is reported in the media, and whether we, as disabled readers, have our own bias in seeing it one way. Do medical prognoses collide with our lived experience? If there is no disability voice is there balance? For a second topic, we highlight how one minute you can get a lot of support as a disabled person, and then suddenly it drops off. When we have little choice of service providers, we often have to put up with poor service. Why are these outsourced service providers getting it so wrong? Our topics were prompted by the BBC report about singer Jessy Nelson having twin baby daughters who both have SMA. Then there’s the Guardian article written by wheelchair user Paul Sagar, about his trials in getting a wheelchair after an accident. To finish up, we do our own Spotify Wrapped with our show numbers and a look ahead to 2026’s guests. Links Little Mix Jessy Nelson’s children Other children talk of their diagnosis Paul Sagar getting frustrated Beyond Mobility I’m Not Your Inspiration - Stella Young TedTalk How to report on disability responsibly in journalism Disability News Service

We look back on some highlights from The Way We Roll shows from 2025. We start with disability inclusion, featuring Celia Chatres-Aris, then move on to Making Inclusive Television with Henry Smith, and Adaptive Fashion with Victoria Jenkins. We check in with our most-listened-to show, Phil’s difficult trip to Spain, called Malaga Mayhem. We give honourable mentions to Euan’s Guide head, Kiki McDonald, and Jennie Williams, who are talking about sex and disability. Finally, we revisit our February show on the twenty-year strategy for the Life Chances of Disabled People, which ended this year. There’s a bumper Listener’s Corner with your messages. Links Celia Chartres Aris show Inclusively Made with Henry Smith show Adaptive Fashion with Victoria Jenkins show Malaga Mayhem show 20 Years Later, the Life Chances of disabled people show

People join an industry, and many adapt to its culture. Occasionally, someone challenges the culture, disrupts it and brings about a new way of thinking. Our guest, Victoria Jenkins, has done just that, and done it in the harsh, fickle world of fashion. Victoria spent 16 years in the fashion industry, acquiring extensive knowledge of garment construction. Among others, she has worked with Victoria Beckham, Sweaty Betty, and Jack Wills. After disability affected her, she realised there was a need for adaptive fashion and a potential gap in the market. We ask Victoria how she started her brand, Unhidden Clothing and what were the significant barriers. We challenge her on the business case, which for so long was seen as a barrier for so long. She tells us about her favourite solo runway shows and what’s next. Smart, articulate, driven as well as fallible as we all are, Victoria makes a compelling guest.. Links Unhidden website Victoria’s LinkedIn Victoria’s website The Lilac Review The Little Book of Ableism Smile by Mallavora

This month we’re talking about sex and disability — a topic that’s often ignored or treated as taboo. Our guest is Jennie Williams, CEO of Enhance the UK, who’s been a leading voice in breaking down the barriers around intimacy and disability. Jennie talks about what drew her to this work and shares insights from Undressing Disability and The Love Lounge — a space where disabled people can talk openly about sex, relationships and everything that comes with them. From communication and consent to pain, fatigue and body image, we explore what it really means to ask for what you need without embarrassment. We also look at the bigger picture — how stigma, poor sex education and medical assumptions still get in the way, and what can be done to make things more inclusive. As always, Simon and Phil share some of their own experiences — the funny, awkward and very real parts of love and sex when disability is involved. It’s an honest, practical and sometimes surprising conversation about pleasure, connection and the right to be seen as a sexual being. There’s even a discussion about sex on a bus. Links: Enhance the UK Jennie Williams CEO LinkedIn Instagram Love Lounge Undressing Disability Sexuality and Disability website Books The Sexual Politics of Disability: Untold Desires Tom Shakespeare 1996 Ultimate Guide To Sex And Disability: For All of Us Who Live With Disabilities, Chronic Pain and Illness 2020 Sex and Disability 2012

In case it’s a new term to you, let us start with a definition of Benevolent Bias in relation to disability. The Wiley Dictionary says “usually manifests as pity or charity, paternalistic protection, and condescending or exaggerated praise for common activities.” A new term perhaps, but not a new behaviour. We discuss. Coldplay came to Wembley in August and we went to see them. We discuss the show and comment on accessibility, attending gigs as a wheelchair user and scooter user. Phil gives us a health update after surgeons have been poking around, and just how unsettling this can be when you’re older. Finally, we respond to the emails we have received from you recently and give you a preview of next month’s show. Links Wiley Research Dictionary Vitruvi - The Problem With Benevolent Ableism Coldplay and Access Wembley Stadium and disability access

Depending on where you read it, there could be 13 million or 16 million disabled people in the UK. Some statistics suggest 1 in 4 of us, while others indicate 1 in 5. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch recently suggested the term ‘disabled’ is in danger of losing all meaning. Is she on to something? What is the point of a definition, and what measure do we use? Some who are disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition are having a terrible time working for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP has lost more disability discrimination tribunal cases than any other UK employer. They have paid out nearly £1 million in awards. The pot calling the kettle black… The DWP administers the "Disability Confident" scheme to help employers recruit and retain disabled people. Finally, Government ministers are saying they want to "get Britain working," including disabled people, whilst simultaneously cutting Access to Work (AtW). AtW is the scheme that pays for the more expensive adjustments that enable disabled people to obtain employment and stay in it. Show Links: Kemmi Badenoch has no useful meaning of disability now DWP tribunal losses Access to Work cuts Employers ‘have rational fear of hiring disabled workers’ Jess Thom aka Tourette's Hero Access to Work Collective Dr Shani Dhanda Channel 4 Access to Work report Gary Stevenson YouTube

As a disabled person, when you first start talking to a non-disabled person about the barriers to your participation, you can be met with the response, ‘I thought that’s all sorted now. ’ If you suggest they take a look at 20 shops locally, chances are they’ll find many are not physically accessible. And that’s just a high street. Euan’s Guide carry out a survey asking disabled people in the UK about their experiences. Their latest research shows there’s a long way to go, as many of us know. For example: Our guest this month, Kiki McDonald, co-founder of Euan’s Guide with her late brother Euan, says, “disabled people are still having to fight for disabled access information and access to everyday places, be it a train or a restaurant. Accessibility should be a right, not a privilege.” With Kiki, we talk about the survey results in detail. We also reflect with Kiki about the impact and joy of Euan McDonald. Links EuansGuide.com Survey Results BBC Reporting on Euan’s death

Isn’t it great when you speak with someone and they are on your wavelength, but are also so wise that they make you think a little harder? Our guest this month is one of these people. Celia Chartes-Aris is all about policy, research and law. Her impressive impact led to her being crowned No. 1 on the Disability Power 100 list in 2025. However, her real power lies behind the scenes, being well-connected and acting as an advisor to UK and international governments and organisations, where she advocates for the improvement of Disability equity. Celia is still relatively young and has a lower life expectancy due to a complex health condition. Whilst she doesn’t appear in a hurry, she is working at a furious pace. We get to explore what drives her, including when she discovered what ableism was and how it became a fundamental driver for her. We delve into the difficult topics, asking whether the stigma attached to disability will ever be removed and why intersectionality is so far behind in disability advocacy. Celia also tells us how she became a campaigner to restore the Minister for Disability in the UK Government after the post was axed. Links Power 100 Celia BBC Celia becoming Power 100 no.1 LinkedIn Celia Access2Funding Disabled by Society Celia Linktr.ee

The second part of this month’s show is all about Phil’s recent trip to Malaga. After meticulous planning, Phil and Sue, his wife, set off for some winter sunshine. On landing, a broken powered wheelchair meant limitation, frustration, moments of kindness and a lot of stress and cost. How did Phil and Sue manage? So, will they ever fly again? Let's just say the train to Spain is suddenly looking very attractive. Links: Ilunion Hotel

Global Disability Summit 2025, Berlin This month, we’re splitting the show into two parts. First up, Simon recently attended the 3rd Global Disability Summit in Berlin. Simon found himself out of the loop, having not attended an event like this for a decade. As is often the case with huge multi-national conferences, they are overwhelming at times, brilliant for meeting people, and have fantastic speakers, but not so good ones. They highlight what needs to be done to progress disability inclusion and where different countries and regions are currently. Simon gives us the highs and lows, whilst Phil wonders what might be done to improve things. We shall send you part two in two weeks, which features Phil’s trip to Malaga. https://www.globaldisabilitysummit.org/ https://www.disabilitydebrief.org/debrief/gds2025/?ref=disability-debrief-newsletter

Somewhere near the Blue Mountains, just outside Sydney, Australia, something special is happening in production. Our guest, Henry Smith, shares insights about it and the organisation he has co-founded, Inclusively Made. Henry and his partner, Genevieve Clay-Smith, have been creating human-centred films for many years. Henry explains how Genevieve initially stumbled upon working with talented disabled individuals, first by accident. Realising that this experience was enjoyable and not frequent enough, they decided to pursue it intentionally. They recognised the need to share the experiences and knowledge they have gained with others through Inclusively Made. It encompasses the entire production process and involves everyone. It is no longer about telling people why they should be involved; rather, it focuses on how to do so. Inclusively Made aims to make inclusive production business as usual in the global production and entertainment industries. In just 12 months, they have had a huge impact. Henry shares his thoughts on the progress made so far and his plans for the future. Links Inclusively Made website Taste Creative A bit more about Henry and Genevieve Inclusively Made Instagram Henry LinkedIn Genevieve LinkedIn

It is often said that politicians only think short-term. However, twenty years ago, the Labour government released a report titled “Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People.” This cross-government strategy outlined a programme to enhance the opportunities and life chances for disabled individuals by 2025. The aim was that this year, disabled people in Britain would have full opportunities and choices to improve their quality of life and be respected and included as equal members of society. We ask whether it succeeded in its aim and wonder why there isn’t a piece of research (that we know of) showing what has changed. Barclays recently made headlines with its mystery shopping contract with Ipsos. The bank informed Ipsos that they’d rather some mystery shoppers be blind or deaf; however if that wasn't possible, individuals could simulate the conditions of being blind or deaf. We discuss the pros and mainly the cons of ‘cropping up’. Finally, we preview some of the guests who will be coming to the show in 2025. Links Summary of Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People on Navigator Transport for All Roadmap to achieving Disability equality by 2025 Guardian reports on Barclays using non-disabled people pretending to be disabled Article (from 1998 and still relevant) on the pros and cons of disability simulation exercises by Kevin Donnellon on Medium

On Friday, 29th November, Members of Parliament voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Phil, who is part of Not Dead Yet, an organisation that opposed the bill, gives us an update. He was also at the demonstration outside Westminster Palace. On our last podcast, our guest Peter Torres Fremlin said that sometimes, as disabled advocates, we need to mature and accept people’s motives, which might not be the same as ours, but a win is a win. We debate some moments of possible recent hypocrisy, i.e. funding for Not Dead Yet and the Shaw Trust Power 100 awards. We talk about our favourite podcast of this year, plus our most listened-to show and what our best moment of disability inclusion was. All wrapped up in a bow, this is our present to you this Christmas. Thank you for listening and your support. Links BBC Who will scrutinise the Assisted Dying bill? BBC Parliament votes live updates on the day Not Dead Yet UK Chelsea Roff Disability Power 100 list The Way We Roll podcasts we mention International Perspectives with Susan Scott-Parker and Peter Torres Fremlin Former CEO and Chair of Scope, Richard Hawkins and Alice Maynard Disability and Shame Talking with Motability Operations CEO Andrew Miller

This month, to coincide with the International Day of Persons with a Disability 2024, we will explore the international progress of disability inclusion with our two guests. Susan Scott Parker is a renowned global expert and an authoritative voice on disability and its effects on global business. Peter Torres Fremlin is the editor of Disability Debrief, a newsletter that reports on disability news from around the world and the people who are making change happen. We asked Susan and Peter about the persistent challenges. Are the large NGO’s and the conferences effective? Conversely, are the Organisations of Disabled People equipped to campaign, advocate and deliver? How can disability discrimination be recognised as a human rights issue and not optional? There’s money sloshing around; is it spent wisely? There are success stories to enjoy, a few less celebratory examples, and an acknowledgement that the search is on for new disability leaders. We also discover our guests' love of poetry, a biography of Stalin being on a beach (maybe) and being on safari (definitely). Despite this being a substantial show, we realise there’s so much we didn’t cover: disabled people’s positioning in societies, poverty, access to education and healthcare and whether we go broad enough in terms of regions, to name a few. Nevertheless, there’s plenty in the show to think about. Peter Links Website Desability Peter’s X handle Peter LinkedIn page Disability Debrief Fall With Me poem Susan links Business Disability International Susan LinkedIn page Scott Parker Goes Live podcast Links International Disability Alliance crisis International Labour Organisation Global Business Disability Network

We were very sorry to hear of the recent passing of Euan MacDonald MBE. Among Euan’s many achievements was the creation of Euan’s Guide, the award-winning disabled access charity. Perhaps best known for the disabled access review website EuansGuide.com, they also make accessible toilets safer and carry out a huge Access Survey. We remember Euan and talk about his impact. We’re delighted to welcome back Abbi Brown, although for not the best of reasons. We spoke in July this year about Abbi becoming trapped in her East London flat after the lift in her block was broken, and the property management company were less than useless in helping. Abbi talks us through what she endured, what she had to do and she updates us on the current situation. Phil wants some winter sun and talks about ageing, disability and difficulty finding the right place to stay. He also talks about being a proud grandfather, after one of his many amazing grandchildren’s recent success in kart racing. Move over, Lewis Hamilton; Albie Friend needs a seat. Links About Euan’s Guide (they are on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn too) Euan MacDonald Wikipedia BBC on Euan BBC Abbi Brown story Abbi Brown on X When Abbi Brown was our guest Albie Friend Instagram