Ouch: Disability Talk

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 pro

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 a

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 Edite

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

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