Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

Corie Mapp, a double leg amputee, is fresh from winning gold at the Para-bobsleigh World Championships in Switzerland. Corie took up the sport after he was injured in Afghanistan and says “going down an ice chute in a bath tub” has given him a fresh perspective on disability and risk. Also on this episode, a suicide charity which runs the UK’s only 24-hour phone line staffed by trained, paid, call handlers, says it’s desperately short of funding. Emma Tracey talks to Francesca, a long-term user of Papyrus who credits the service with saving her life, and CEO Ged Flynn. And Chantal Nasseri, the Access Coordinator for the Hollywood film Wicked, describes how she made every aspect of the production accessible, from transport to costumes. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: George Sharpe, Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Recorded and mixed: Dave O’ Neill Editors: Beth Rose, Ben Mundy

Niamdh Braid took her local council to a tribunal at the age of 16 (and won!) after they refused to provide her with a BSL interpreter in class. She tells Emma Tracey how Fife Council had argued that she was able to access her education using hearing aids and lip reading. But after an expert witness told the tribunal that Niamdh could only hear 70% of what her teachers were saying, it ruled in her favour. Also on this episode, meet Alex Mitchell, the self-described queer, autistic, disabled comedian who found fame on Britain’s Got Talent. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins, George Sharpe Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Ben Mundy

Actor Michael Patrick has just picked up an award for his unique portrayal of Shakespeare’s Richard III, which gives the play a fresh twist inspired by his own experience of living with motor neurone disease (MND). Michael is no stranger to MND. His father died from the condition and his sister is also living with it, although drug trials for the siblings have given them more hope for the future. Also on this episode, the charity Mencap says it fears for peoples lives after the NHS dropped annual health checks for people with learning disabilities from its priorities plan. We speak with Mencap CEO, Jon Sparkes, as well as Nigel and Rahima about their experiences of the Health MOTs. And we meet Japan’s Nobuyuki Tsujii, a blind pianist who’s played at concert venues around the world including the Sydney Opera House. Presented by: Emma Tracey Produced by: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins and George Sharpe Sound recording and design by: Dave O’Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Ben Mundy

Adults diagnosed with ADHD have shorter life expectancies, according to a groundbreaking new study. University College London (UCL) crunched nine million GP records to find that, on average, women with ADHD die nine years earlier, and men seven years earlier than those without ADHD. Josh Stott, professor of ageing and clinical psychology at UCL, the lead researcher, explains to Access All why this is happening. We also hear from broadcaster Christo Foufas, who has ADHD, and describes how his struggles with binge eating and recreational drugs eventually led him to a diagnosis of ADHD. Teenager Phoebe-Rae Taylor talks about her starring role in the Disney film Out Of My Mind, a coming of age story about a girl with cerebral palsy who has a new communication aid. And we meet Dan Harris, who had the alphabet tattooed on his arm to make it easier for his non-verbal son, Joshie, to talk to him. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins and Daniel Gordon Sound recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Edited by Beth Rose and Ben Mundy You can contact the team on accessall@bbc.co.uk

Facing the California wildfires when you’re disabled and marking Holocaust Memorial Day As the California wildfires continue to burn we hear the stories of disabled Los Angeles residents, Carrie and Joci, who had to make decisions around whether to evacuate or not, and if so, how they would do it without plans in place. To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, Dr Helen Atherton talks to Access All about about the Nazi’s Aktion T4 programme which killed thousands of disabled people they considered “undesirable”. Dr Atherton discovered 13 of those killed were British-born and has created an exhibition to honour them called Finding Ivy. We also talk to Nancy Jennings, the great niece of one of the victims, Zkenko Hoyas. Plus Katie the Wheeled Piper plays for us on her adapted bagpipes. The 18-year-old had the honour of piping in the haggis for the BBC’s Burns Night Extravaganza which is broadcast on 25 January and will be available on BBC iPlayer afterwards. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins and Daniel Gordon Recorded and Edited by Dave O’Neill Edited by Sara Wadeson and Beth Rose

A mum of two tells Emma Tracey about spending more than half of the family’s income on her children's special educational needs (SEND). Alice moved her two daughter’s to a private school after she felt they weren’t being supported in state education. But, from 1 January, private schools lost their charitable status and now must pay VAT of 20% with many schools passing those costs onto parents. Alice fears her family’s financial will only worsen as a result. The Department for Education (DfE) said the government was "making progress" on the issue with a £1bn investment in SEND. We also hear from Luke Sibieta, an economist from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who shares his recent research into the state of SEND education in England. Emma also catches up with adventurer Jonny Huntington who became the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. And, we meet Tina and Jack from Daylight Studio, a music charity which supports people with learning disabilities, whose song Watermelon Fantasy has been sampled by Snoop Dogg! Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Dan Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Editor: Beth Rose

Owen Tooth is the first wheelchair user to direct EastEnders — he's already handled his first "duff duff" moment and is due on set for a string of episodes in early 2025. But he says he moved into TV after his film career collapsed when he became a wheelchair user and people acted as if he was “invisible”. Also on the programme, millions of people rent properties and yet nearly half of private landlords in England say they would be “unwilling” to rent to tenants who require adaptations to be made to the property. More than 9,000 people answered the English Private Landlords Survey - with 47% saying they would be reluctant to provide adaptations. Sam Lewis, who lives in privately rented accommodation in London and has Crohn’s Disease and rheumatoid arthritis, shares her experience of asking numerous landlords to make their properties more accessible for her. We also hear from Paul Smith, Director of Foundations, the public body advising prospective tenants who require adaptations and the agencies who provide them. He also has some advice if you’re about to begin the process of requesting adaptations yourself. Presenter: Emma Tracey Produced by: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Edited by Beth Rose and Farhana Haider

Our expert panel looks ahead to what 2025 is likely to bring for disabled people and mental health service users. On the panel are: John Pring, founder and editor of Disability News Service; Richard Taylor of the disability equality charity Scope and Lucy Schonehevel of Rethink Mental Illness. They discuss ongoing issues which are likely to carry on making headlines in 2025 – such as the Assisted Dying Bill and changes to disability benefits. We also hear from disabled BBC correspondents in the worlds of sport and entertainment on what’s coming up. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editors: Farhana Haider, Beth Rose Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill

It’s been a busy year for disabled people. From the Paralympics in Paris to the first ever blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing to a new generation of disabled MPs getting elected to parliament, 2024 has seen its fair share of disabled high achievers. But what’s been YOUR favourite? This special festive episode features a look back at the past year on Access All - as well as the big moments famous friends of the programme have chosen as their 2024 highlights. It also includes the responses our listeners have sent in. Also on the show - BBC Senior North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue drops by to talk about what it’s like working as a blind journalist covering the US - and the moment he found himself on the scene at a rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman tried to assassinate Donald Trump. AND The Choir With No Name - a choir for homeless people - round off our Christmas edition. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editor: Farhana Haider Recorded and Mixed by Dave O’Neill

Days after clinching the Strictly Come Dancing trophy, Chris McCausland chats with Access All’s Emma Tracey, who is also blind. Chris talks about conquering self-doubt, the trust that went into his partnership with Strictly pro, Dianne Buswell and how his success on the show has caused positive waves far beyond the blind community. He also gives the inside track on his brand new Christmas film, Bad Tidings, with Lee Mack and the huge comedy tour he is about to embark on with 250 dates… Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editor: Beth Rose Sound recording and mixing: Dave O’Neill Subscribe to Access All on BBC Sounds and contact the team by emailing accessall@bbc.co.uk

Paralympian James Brown, who is partially sighted, has given his first broadcast interview to Access All since he won compensation from the government over his treatment in prison. Brown reached an out of court settlement with the Ministry of Justice after he launched legal proceedings for being denied his access needs in jail. He’d been given a custodial sentence for glueing himself to a plane as part of an Extinction Rebellion protest. We also hear from Recoop, a charity which supports older prisoners, about the situation facing other disabled inmates in the UK. And we hear from the writer Melanie Reid, on why she’s put an end to Spinal Column — her regular updates for the Times newspaper, which documented her trials and tribulations since she became a tetraplegic and a wheelchair user following a riding accident in 2010. Presenter: Emma Tracey Editor: Farhana Haider, Beth Rose Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Sound recording and mixing: Dave O’Neill

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 latest part of the Covid inquiry, which looks at the impact of the pandemic on the NHS, has heard powerful evidence from disabled people and their relatives for the first time. BBC Health Reporter Jim Reed — who presents The Covid Inquiry Podcast — shares some of the most poignant testimony that has been shared so far. Emma Tracey also hears from Rachael Andrews, who is partially sighted and has fibromyalgia, and Lisa Burke, whose son Seth has Duchenne muscular dystrophy about how their lives have been severely impacted by the pandemic. We also hear from roving reporter Ben Morris who has been to Belgium to learn more about some clever AI solutions for wheelchair users. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Audio recording and mixing: Dave O’Neill Editor: Beth Rose

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

Comedy actor Paul Whitehouse and his wife, Dr Mine Conkbayir have turned their focus to ADHD. Dr Mine is an early years researcher and author and was diagnosed with ADHD in 2023. She talks about how a traumatic childhood shaped her, needing plenty of noise and lights to function and her thoughts around medication. Her husband, Paul Whitehouse is known for his sketches on The Fast Show and the more sedate Gone Fishing. All about the calm, he’s curious about why so many of his comedy colleagues are also being diagnosed with ADHD. The couple say why they don’t like the term ADHD, explain what’s meant by dopamining and doom piling and also reveal more about their brand new podcast, ‘I’m ADHD! No you’re not’. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins and Emma Tracey Sound Recording and mixing: Dave O’Neill Editors: Sara Wadeson and Beth Rose We love to hear from you. Email accessall@bbc.co.uk to tell us what you think or suggest a story we should be covering. You can also find us on Instagram and X under @bbcaccessall

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

Over the past five years, Elliot Caswell has let the BBC follow him as he searched for his first job after leaving college, but so far he’s faced nothing but barriers. That frustration has coincided with the publication of a House of Lords report into how the transition from education to work could be improved for young disabled people. Stephen Veevers, CEO of HFT, an organisation which helps disabled people prepare for employment, gives his thoughts on the report and offers some success stories too. Plus, when Norwegian gamer Mats Steen died aged 25 his parents feared their son had lived a lonely life as a result of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. But, when they posted a final update on his blog they were inundated with messages. Mats, it turned out, had lived a full and vibrant life online. Emma speaks with his parents – Trude and Robert – and two of his online friends - Xenia and her autistic son Mikkel - who learned to connect with each other with Mats’s help. Now a Netflix movie is set to be released on 25 October, about Mat's extraordinary, hidden life. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Daniel Gordon and Emma Tracey Edited by Beth Rose

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.