Ouch: Disability Talk

From benefits to AI, Emma Tracey looks through the headlines with BBC tech reporter Paul Carter, as well as sharing a few unexpected stories from their personal lives as innocent-looking 'smugglers'.And comedian Rosie Jones with actor and reporter Ruben Reuter join Emma to talk about Pushers - the new Channel 4 sitcom written by Rosie about a disabled woman who becomes a drug pusher through desperation after losing her benefits money. Sound recording and mix: Dave O'Neill Producers: Alex Collins and Emma Tracey Series Producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

The much-awaited government bill introducing benefits changes has been published today and officially introduced to parliament, kicking off the process of getting it into law.There were no surprises in the snappily-named Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill which outlined and confirmed the tightening of Pip eligibility and acknowledged the concession that there will be a 13-week transition period for those whose benefits are being withdrawn. Lots of you got in touch with questions about what this all means - so Access All presenter, Emma Tracey, BBC Social Affairs Correspondent Michael Buchanan and Yahoo News UK journalist, Jasmine Andersson, join up with BBC 5 Live Drive to answer them.Presenter: Emma Tracey Sound mix: Dave O'Neill Series Producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose And with special thanks to the Five Live Drive team, especially Kirsty Macaulay!

Emma Tracey explores how accessible beaches are if you are a wheelchair user, and how inclusive open water swimming is if you can't see. Some really useful and interesting info you won't want to miss in this chat with Will Behenna, Director of the Beach Access Project, and Sadie Rockliffe from the University of Brighton And Dr Grace Spence Green is the woman who was disabled when a man fell on her from a height at a shopping centre in London. She was 22-years-old and continued her studies to become a doctor. She has a new book out and says becoming disabled radicalised her. Presenter and producer Emma Tracey Sound design by Dave O'Neill Produced by Kirsteen Knight Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose And a special shout-out to our friends at BBC South East who got their toes wet by visiting the swimmers in Brighton.

Ever wondered what other people's therapy sessions are like? We meet a counsellor with her client and talk about the why and the how of building back the self esteem of a man who's had his legs amputated and wants to rejoin the dating scene. Plus ... is getting a wheelchair accessible taxi difficult in your area? Find out why Northern Island has lost a lot of cab drivers these last few years (Clue: Covid didn't help). Presenter: Emma Tracey Sound: Dave O'Neill Producers: Kirsteen Knight and Alex Collins Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

More than 100 influential disabled people have signed an open letter to Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, calling £5bn worth of benefit cuts, “cruel”.Screenwriter, Jack Thorne, behind hits including Adolescence and Toxic Town talks exclusively to Access All about why he signed the letter which dubs the planned reforms “cruelty by policy”. The Department for Work and Pensions says its “determined to support people in all parts of the county”. Also, we hear from author and The Guardian columnist, Frances Ryan about how a trip to the pub lead to her chronic illness and why her new book Who Wants Normal? The Disabled Girl's Guide To Life is essential reading for everyone. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins Sound recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Damon Rose

On both sides of the Atlantic disabled people are protesting, despite the sometimes tricky logistics.In the UK, a mass lobby event was held on 21 May at Westminster to enable disabled people to 'green card' their MP. That means the MP is informed their constituent is waiting for them in Parliament and they should go and meet them. The hot topic for this event was the £5bn welfare cuts announced in the Spring Statement. But how successful was it? Access All's Alex Collins goes to meet those who have travelled from across the country to be there and Emma Tracey chats with Svetlana Kotova from disabled peoples organisation, Inclusion London. Across the Atlantic, American activists have also been out in force. Last week 26 disabled people were arrested in Congress when they disrupted a debate around Medicaid and who gets government-funded health and social care. Domonique Howell, from US disability advocacy organisation Adapt, was one of those to be arrested and talks about her experience, while veteran protester, Julie Farrar, talks about the importance of direct action.Plus Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? That's the thought-provoking title of the Paralympian come TV presenter's new documentary, which explores the decisions parents make when told their unborn child could be disabled. She chats about how it shaped her feelings around having children as a woman with an impairment that could be passed on, and what she learned by spending time with couples at a specialist foetal medicine unit.Presented by Emma Tracey Producer and reporter: Alex Collins Sound by Dave O'Neill Editors: Damon Rose and Beth Rose

Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, cannot support the announced benefits changes and speaks to Emma Tracey about the experiences she has had as a disabled person herself. BBC's political correspondent Helen Catt walks us through whether government will face a significant challenge getting their legislation through parliament this summer, with other insights. Then, music from American artist, Gaelynn Lea, who's touring the UK. The discussion includes the folk singer and musician's bespoke way of playing violin, like a cello rather than up on her shoulder.Sound recording and mixing by Dave O'Neill, producers Beth Rose and Alex Collins, the editor was Damon Rose. Spread the word loyal followers.

The dotty medium of Braille has just turned 200 years old. Famously invented by French boy, Louis Braille, it spread worldwide and became the way blind people were finally able to read. Access All's presenter Emma Tracey explains what she does with it and why she loves it whilst meeting interesting people who have used the medium in very interesting ways…including, Stevie Wonder. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producer: Adele Armstrong First broadcast on the BBC World Service April 2025.

There's a bit of a parental feel about this week's podcast. Two mums from Nottingham were categorised in a hospital computer system as having learning disabilities and, they say, received poor treatment as a result. Claire Whyte and Elizabeth Jones are autistic but their local NHS trust only has the ability to (inappropriately) categorise them as having a learning disability, because there is no neurodivergent box to tick on the system. They say they were spoken to in simplified language and had decisions about their care made without consulting them. As a result, they felt patronised and left out of their own maternity care. Presenter Emma Tracey speaks to them and we get a response from the NHS and the company, System C, who make the app. Emma also speaks to Jessica Slice, author of newly published and ironically titled book Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World. In it she maintains that disabled people are unusually placed to have the skills to be parents. She says her life as someone with POTS and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, has made her more resilient, patient, tolerant of pain, and thinks disabled people shouldn't be written off as mums and dads ... and a whole lot more. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producer: Beth Rose Sound recording and mix: Dave O'Neill Editor: Damon Rose

This week we bring you inspiration and strategies for getting a job if you're disabled, with tips from two disabled people who have heaps of experience in this area. Should you disclose you're disabled on a job application form? Is there a better way to catch the eye of an employer? Or maybe you're thinking about heading down the self employment route cos you're sick of being rejected? Entrepreneur Liz Jackson MBE, and former disability consultant Phil Friend OBE speak with Emma Tracey. Liz tells how she set-up a business the same year she went blind. While Phil brings 35 years of speaking to employers and disabled people to the table. Some disabled people simply can't work and have to rely on benefits and others want and need nothing more than to be part of the workforce. We get it and we will be looking at this subject again soon from a different angle. Presenter: Emma Tracey Sound recording and mixer: Dave O'Neill. Editor: Damon Rose, Beth Rose Executive Editor: Emma Rippon

Lucy Edwards, well known influencer and star of TV shampoo commercials (among many other things), joins Emma Tracey to talk about her new book for children Ella Jones Versus The Sun Stealer. While together the two women, both of whom are blind, talk about wide-ranging subjects from beauty hacks and disability politics to Lucy's exciting new business venture. Plus Lucy talks openly about the genetic condition she has, incontinentia pigmenti, and how she and her husband are going through an IVF process in order to decrease the risk of passing it on. Sound recording and Mix: Dave O'Neill Editor: Beth Rose

Sir Stephen Timms, the minister for Social Security and Disability talks to Emma Tracey about the proposed £5bn worth of welfare cuts the government recently announced.The Minister explains the Labour government's thought process around the planned changes which include tightening up eligibility for Personal Independence Payment and explains why people under the age of 22 will no longer get the health top-up to Universal Credit.Sir Stephen also reacts to news that Disabled and Deaf People's Organisations (DPPO) are considering stepping back from working with him as a result of the plans.Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins Sound mixed by Mike Regaard Edited by Beth Rose and Damon Rose

Suspended Labour MP, John McDonnell, talks to Access All about the distress he feels over the benefit cuts outlined in March's Spring Statement. Having had the whip removed last summer he hopes to be restored to the party he joined 50 years ago but says he is "praying" his former colleagues rethink the plans and U-turn. The benefit cuts mean there have been a lot of numbers flying about. Finance journo, Felicity Hannah, who presents BBC radio shows, Money Box and Wake Up To Money, breaks it all down for us and outlines what the changes could mean for you and your wallet, and where to go to get personalised help. Plus we hear from actress and deaf advocate Rose Ayling-Ellis and deaf series producer Camilla Arnold about their new BBC documentary, Old Hands, New Tricks, where they aim to teach residents at a retirement home how to use British Sign Language. It's available right now on BBC iPlayer. Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Alex Collins and Beth Rose Sound recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill Edited by Damon Rose and Beth Rose

Nigel has lived with paranoid schizophrenia for decades, navigating "tormenting voices" and spending time in secure units and prison. He talks to Emma Tracey about his life, managing the condition and the importance of his friendship with Andy, who we also meet. Lucy Schonegevel from Rethink Mental Health reflects on Nigel's story and brings us up to date on reforms to the Mental Health Act, expected later this year, which might improve the experiences of people with schizophrenia. Last week, government changes to disability benefits grabbed the headlines. One grant scheme that didn't get the limelight was Access To Work. Angela Mathews from the Business Disability Forum gives us the lowdown on what's happening with that while BBC Transport Correspondent, Sean Dilley, pops in to talk about a select committee report which described the experience of many disabled people on public transport as a "national embarrassment". Emma also gets out and about on the London Underground to find out how a new Chatty Cabin scheme is helping commuters with their mental health. Produced by: Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by: Dave O'Neill Edited by Beth Rose and Damon Rose

Billy Monger's ambition to become a professional racing driver looked like it had come to a serious and tragic end when a crash on the track aged 17 resulted in both his legs being amputated - one above knee, one below. Talking with Emma Tracey, he looks back at how life changed after the accident, and the challenges he's put himself through since then. After breaking it to his parents his racing career wasn't over, he was back on the track within months. Since then he's raced in F3, taken part in BBC Two's Celebrity Race Across the World and most recently the Iron Man challenge - which is the subject of a new BBC documentary on iPlayer this week. PRODUCERS: DANIEL GORDON, ALEX COLLINS PRESENTER: EMMA TRACEY EDITORS: BETH ROSE, DAMON ROSE SOUND RECORDING AND MIX: DAVE O'NEILL

What will the welfare reforms announced by the government on Tuesday mean for disabled people who claim benefits?In this emergency episode, Emma Tracey tries to find out by talking to the BBC's Disability Correspondent Nikki Fox, two claimants of disability benefits - Ellen Clifford and Justine Stamp - and to Arun Veerappan of the Disability Policy Centre. PRODUCERS: DANIEL GORDON, ALEX COLLINS PRESENTER: EMMA TRACEY EDITOR: DAMON ROSE SOUND RECORD AND MIX: DAVE O'NEILL

BBC research has revealed that nearly a third of child claimants of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) have been rejected for adult benefits when they turn 16. BBC Data Unit reporter Joanna Morris has been investigating to find out why this is happening, and shares that many rejections come because the forms are addressed to the teenagers who try to complete the paperwork themselves. That includes Holly Crouch. Holly, who has epilepsy, tells Access All she was turned down for Personal Independence Payment at 16 because she had written on her form that she could cook - even though the risk of seizures meant she could never use the cooker without supervision. Also on the programme - Jonny Heaver, fresh from being fired as a contestant on The Apprentice, gives an exit interview and talks about living with a facial difference. PRESENTER: Emma Tracey PRODUCERS: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins EDITORS: Beth Rose, Ben Mundy SOUND RECORDING AND MIX: Dave O'Neill

Polly Crosby opens up about living with the life limiting condition cystic fibrosis. As a newborn, she was the first person in the world to test positive for CF through a heel prick test. Being diagnosed so early helped her mother manage her condition but many of her childhood friends died very young. And she's been reflecting on that period in her latest novel, The Vulpine.Also in this episode, we hear complaints that maternity services don't give equal care to wheelchair users.Plus, could comedy become available at the doctor's? We explore.And we end with a tribute to our former colleague and GB Volleyball squad member, Kat Hawkins, who recently died. PRESENTER: Emma Tracey PRODUCERS: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins EDITORS: Beth Rose, Ben Mundy SOUND RECORDING AND MIX: Dave O'Neill

To mark the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we catch-up with Oleksii and Raisa who previously spoke to Access All. Oleksii has learning disabilities and, after initially re-locating to Denmark, returned to his group home in Ukraine a few months ago. Raisa runs a nearby respite centre for disabled people.And we hear from Sara Cincurova, a human rights journalist, who has recently visited a specialist school in Ukraine for disabled children.This episode also shines a spotlight on teen actress Niamh Moriarty, who has cerebral palsy and was thrilled to break away from the stereotype of disabled characters and play a bully in her new film, September Says.Plus we hear how surf therapy is becoming a craze for the over 50s in Wales with mental health challenges.PRESENTER: Emma Tracey PRODUCERS: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins EDITORS: Beth Rose, Ben Mundy SOUND RECORDING & MIX: Dave O'Neill

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'NeillEdited by Beth Rose and Ben MundyYou 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'NeillSubscribe 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 Christ 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.

This week, Access All lives up to its name - we've been granted permission to go inside MI5 and meet an autistic senior intelligence officer. Liam (not his real name and voiced by an actor) tells Emma Tracey what it's like to work as a senior manager and the responsibility he feels for protecting public security. He reveals the moment he first experienced autistic burnout and the strategies he has learned to cope going forward. Liam goes on to describe the support he was offered by MI5 and his colleagues. The BBC's Security Correspondent, Gordon Corera, also drops by to give the inside story on the role of Britain's domestic intelligence agency and offers up some interesting spy stories from the past. Presenter: Emma Tracey Producer: Alex Collins Actor voicing Liam: Matthew McCloud Mixed by Dave O'Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Daniel Gordon The Access All team love hearing from you. You can email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find @bbcaccessall on X and Instagram.

The opening weeks of the Lampard Inquiry into 2,000 mental health patient deaths in Essex have been devoted to so-called "impact statements" made by relatives of those who've died. The inquiry is expected to run until 2026. We hear from the BBC's East of England health correspondent Nikki Fox, who's been at the hearings on what it's like listening to such harrowing testimony. She also explains the background to the inquiry and what it's designed to achieve. Julia Hopper, the mother of Chris Nota, whose death aged 19 is being examined as part of the proceedings, tells Access All how she felt when she made her impact statement. We also hear from competitors taking part in next month's Cybathlon. The event pits developers and users of assistive tech against rival teams, and they use their devices to compete in contests and races. The University of Bath team share their hopes of triumph for the technology they've developed to read the brainwaves of a man whose lower body is paralysed, so he can move external objects.Presenter Emma Tracey Producer Daniel Gordon Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Damon Rose If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode you can visit BBC Actionline for more support. The Access All team love hearing from you. You can email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find @bbcaccessall on X and Instagram.

New research has revealed that the quality of life for some people with learning disabilities can decline after they hit the big 4-0. Manchester Metropolitan University researchers came across cases of people who were still being cared for by their parents and others who were being sent to bed at 5pm.Emma Tracey asks lead researcher, Professor Sara Ryan why this is happening and what can be done to improve the situation.Also in this episode, Labour's Marie Tidball gives an insight into her early days in office as a high profile, newly-elected, disabled MP.Presenter Emma Tracey Producers Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Recorded and Mixed by Dave O'Neill Editors: Beth Rose and Damon Rose