Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

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Rating
4.7
from
67 reviews
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This podcast has
640 episodes
Language
Publisher
Explicit
No
Date created
2006/03/29
Latest episode
2026/04/01
Average duration
36 min.
Release period
12 days

Description

Weekly podcast about mental health, wellbeing and disabled people. Life stories and solutions with a friendly touch – for listeners around the world.

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Check latest episodes from Access All: Disability News and Mental Health podcast


Motability to give black box monitors to under 30s
2026/04/01
From 13 April, Motability customers who start a new lease, including drivers under 30, will get weekly traffic light scores via a black box, like those used for younger drivers to get cheaper insurance. If you don't drive smoothly you could have your car taken away. Northern Ireland has been trialling the Drive Smart technology since last year and one recipient, Eva, 21, says her scores are bad - red and amber - because the gadget doesn't understand that her hand controls create a different driving experience. Actor Keron Day, 25, will be one of the first to have a box fitted when the new scheme goes UK-wide. He's campaigning to change the rules before his new wheelchair accessible van arrives because he dislikes the fact that insurance companies offer boxes to under 24s yet, because he's disabled, he will have one until he's 30. A number of other changes have been drip-fed by Motability recently. They include lowering the mileage cap from 20,000 per year to 10,000 and charging 25p per extra mile, up from 5p per mile. Nigel Fletcher CEO of the Motability Foundation tells us why. Elle McNicoll is best known for kids book and TV show A Kind of Spark and now she's written a romcom for adults. She tells Emma why she likes writing all her books with neurodivergent lead characters and why seeing yourself in a story can be life-changeing. Her book Unapologetic Love Story is out on World Autism Day, 2 April. Emma Tracey presents, Dafydd Evans mixed the sound, Beth Rose (who can be heard on the programme this month) is the series producer and the editor is Damon Rose. Access All is now a monthly podcast. Say to your smart speaker "Ask the BBC to play Access All" for the very latest edition. It's on Radio 5 live in the early hours of a Sunday morning at the beginning of each month, and it's here as a podcast. Emma and Beth are part of the BBC News team who bring you disability headlines to online, TV and radio.
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Why isn't ice skating in the Paralympics?
2026/03/05
The biggest sporting event of the year is here - the Winter Paralympics! (The Olympics was just the warm-up). We hear from the BBC's Sally Hurst who's in Milan-Cortina for all the action and find out why ice skating isn't included in the Games. We meet two skaters - Margarita Sweeney-Baird who runs Inclusive Skating, and Rhiannon Parker-Nicholls, an elite skater who had a stroke aged 19 - who are campaigning for the sport's inclusion. Actress Gracie McGonigal has hit our screens on the latest series of Bridgerton, where she plays new maid, Hazel. But what's it like to pour all that tea with one hand? Gracie talks about some of the confronting and surprising conversations she's had about her limb difference when it comes to the industry and the amazing job the costume designers did on set. Plus a round-up of what's got you talking in the disability world over the past month including why some younger people are finding themselves in nursing homes and what everyday life can be like when you're living with Tourette's syndrome. Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Emma Tracey Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose (no relation!)
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Access To Work slowdown is putting jobs at risk for disabled people
2026/02/05
Disabled people are waiting up to 30 weeks for a decision on whether they'll get a grant to support them at work and wait times are getting longer. We hear from three people who have been affected: Danielle Verity, a visually impaired NHS psychologist has had her grant reduced causing her career stress and worsening mental health. And George Baker is waiting for a new agreement which means he presently has no money and his support worker, Lauren, is kindly, unsustainably, working for free with the hope it will be sorted out soon. One of the biggest challenges for neurodivergent people is the impact of everyday noises like air conditioning or chatter from people on mobile phones. Emma speaks to autistic journalist Keira Edwards about her new podcast It's So Loud In Here, coming soon to BBC Sounds. Also, neurodivergent journalist, Hayley Clarke, joins Emma to talk about pre-loved clothes selling websites and how one mum is calling for a filtered category so you can find accessible or adapted clothes easily. Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Emma Tracey and Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose
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The "heartbreaking" decision on the stalled sign language GCSE
2026/01/14
There were celebrations last year when a GCSE in British Sign Language was approved...but a few months have passed and no accredited exam board has taken it on. What now for the exam which had a strong 10-year campaign behind it? Simon Want from the National Deaf Children's Society gives his reaction while BBC journalist Kateryna Pavlyuk talks us through it. Cyber correspondent Joe Tidy has been in California visiting humanoid robots built to carry out domestic tasks and considers how this development might help disabled people in the future. And the BBC's Alex Taylor is Emma's studio pal this week. He spills the tea on his new romantic relationship. Not only is he smitten but it's also given him pause for thought on letting her help with his care responsibilities so they can let his careworker go out for the night and leave them to some alone time. And finally. Just a heads up, we're moving to a monthly podcast from now on. Our next episode will be 4 February. Catch you then! Presented by Emma Tracey with Alex Taylor Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Kateryna Pavlyuk and Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose Edited by Damon Rose
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What does 2026 mean if you're young and disabled?
2026/01/07
It's a new year and we are finding out about the hopes and aspirations of three young disabled people around the UK. At 17, Niamdh is School Captain at her college in Scotland and hoping for a career in politics. She took her council to court not too long ago and won a case which now ensures she gets adequate BSL support in the classroom - since then, she's been flying. Seren has just started a new job in social media and is loving it. She has 750k of her own followers. But being blind means it hasn't always been easy to get companies to take her seriously when she applies for jobs. Seren gives some thoughts on when you should declare your disability on a job application and how she has landed a job in a supportive company. And Izemrasen is 27 and working as a personal trainer in a gym. He's adapted his aspirations and career goals over the years due to creeping Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - a connective tissue disorder. He has become a regular wheelchair user and gives some top tips on how to find your voice and ask for the support you need. Plus, BBC journalist Kit Taylor gives analysis on the bigger picture for young people. Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose
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Sarah lost her voice to MND, 25 years later she's got it back
2025/12/31
The onset of motor neurone disease (MND) left Sarah without a voice and the use of her hands at the age of 34. It was within months of her becoming a mum for the second time. As they were growing up, her children Aviva and Eric only ever heard her speak through a machine with an emotionless robotic voice. But 25 years on, artificial intelligence (AI) has recreated their mum's real voice from just eight seconds of audio on a scratchy VHS tape. Sarah speaks to the BBC with eye-gaze technology - which uses a camera to track her eyes as she looks at letters on a screen in front of her. Originally aired August 2025. Presenter: Emma Tracey, mixed by Dave O'Neill, Series Producer: Beth Rose, Editor: Damon Rose. Email [email protected]
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'Little and often' - Best Of 2025
2025/12/24
In our pick of the year's best interviews on Access All, we look back at a year of perceptive interviews by Emma Tracey with great people and their great thoughts on living this disabled life. We hear from author of The Vulpine, Polly Crosby, who has cystic fibrosis and tells us she writes "little and often" so she can write comfortably with the condition she has. Comedian Chris McCausland now feels he can talk openly about being blind after the emotional experience of winning Strictly Come Dancing. And comedian Harriet Dyer who is always really open about mental illness tells us about the night she nearly died twice - though it had nothing to do with what was going on in her head. There's even more than that, and each have their own great insights that we recommend wholeheartedly as a Christmas uplift. Yours sincerely, the Access All team Presenter: Emma Tracey Mixed by: Dave O'Neill Produced by Alex Collins Editor: Damon Rose
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A Question of Support - Festive Disability Quiz
2025/12/17
Do you know anything about disability beyond your own? We test three well-known disabled people. Featuring BBC Chief North America Correspondent Gary O'Donoghue, Coronation Street's Jack Carrroll and writer-comedian Juliette Burton. In this poignant parody game, blind, cerebral palsy and mental health are respectively their HOME impairments so will our brave contestants choose to answer questions about their HOME condition, or go AWAY and get more points for answering a question correctly about someone else's. Hosted by Emma Tracey who is consciously embracing this medical-sounding game to see what emerges. Listen, laugh and learn in the most self-aware episode of the year. email [email protected] Mixed by: Dave O'Neill Produced by: Damon Rose, Alex Collins, Emma Tracey Series Producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose Say to your smart speaker: "Ask BBC Sounds for Access All" and the latest edition will play immediately. Subscribe to Access All on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.
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"Seeing my first goal in years made me teary"
2025/12/10
When Crystal Palace play Manchester City on 14 December, Neale Ormston will become the first visually impaired commentator of a premier league football match. That's thanks to a new headset which has allowed him to see games in detail for the first time in years. He’s nervous and excited to join Crystal Palace’s specialist commentary team and wants more clubs to buy into the GiveVision headsets which have revolutionised his match-day experience. It's Disability History Month and the Disability Law Service (DLS), which gives free legal advice on everything from housing to employment, has just marked its 50th birthday. It started in 1975 - the same year Jaws hit the cinema. Andrew MacKay, its CEO and a lawyer himself, remembers some of the cases DLS is most proud of, talks about his team - 90% of whom are disabled - and reveals how he manages his ADHD alongside a law career. And Mat Fraser, a successful actor, musician and activist with short arms, is on the show to talk about a brand new arts project. Mat was a big figure on rights marches and crip cabarets in the 1990s and explains how you can contribute to Disability Arts Online's new archive project, Cripping Culture, which has received £250,000 in funding to make sure no disability culture memories are lost. He also talks about his recent double hip replacement and how he's already got back to picking up teacups with his toes... Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Emma Tracey and Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose
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It's International Day of People with Disabilities - let's celebrate!
2025/12/03
It's 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). While everyone chooses to mark it differently - from focusing on leveling up work places, to reminding people to be more inclusive - we've decided to celebrate with some big names from the disability world! Dr Shani Dhanda speaks to us from Tokyo where she's delivering a keynote speech at the world's first Accountability Summit which has brought together 500 companies who made disability pledges in the past two years to see just how well they're doing. Plus she reveals how she would ideally celebrate IDPD CEO of Paralympics GB, Dave Clarke, tells us what he thinks about marking the day and reveals the latest research about the number of disabled people getting involved in sport and what's holding others back. Plus, we have Hollywood film star, presenter and campaigner, Adam Pearson, in the house. He's just been announced as the patron of Face Equality International. He talks about the challenges AI can pose for someone with a facial difference and gives us the inside scoop on his next big film role....a man he once loathed as a child, but has come full circle to love. Intrigued? - Get your party hat on and take a listen! Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Emma Tracey and Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose
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What Rachel Reeves didn't say about Motability in the Budget
2025/11/26
The Autumn Budget was pronounced today and, as expected, it came with some changes to VAT exemptions on higher-end Motability cars and the types available. Emma Vogelmann from Transport for All gives us the charity's reaction. It's the BBC's Scam Safe week and, as Trading Standards reveal that neurodivergent people are 50% more likely to fall for a scam, we speak with cybersecurity expert Holly Foxcroft, about why the figures are so high. Holly is autistic and lives with "thriving ADHD". Former BBC editor Mark Mardell made headlines a few weeks ago when Turkish Airlines refused to let him fly without a doctor's note, owing to his Parkinson's. Mark has an update on what he's planning to do next to stop anyone else experiencing what he went through. Presented by Emma Tracey with Hayley Clarke Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose
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‘She said things without the sense of embarrassment’ - Alice Wong's disability legacy
2025/11/19
We pay tribute to US writer and community-builder Alice Wong who died this week at 51. Known for her Disability Visibility project and #CripTheVote, we hear from her friend Nichola Griffith who collaborated with her on a writing project called #CripLit. She never actualy met her offline yet they made a big connection. If you didn't know of her in life, here's your chance for her to inspire you with the spirit she created. Journalist Alex Taylor fell foul of a TikTok prank when someone stuck out their tongue at him to get a reaction. He then chased them in his powerchair to try and delete the video before it got online. He believes he was targeted because he was disabled. Also, presenter Emma Tracey shoots the breeze about gyms, exercise and talks to award-winning podcaster Grace Gigi Ogun, who makes the funny rich audio podcast Journeys With Grace about living with kidney cancer, and has a talent for football and music. Presenter/producer Emma Tracey, mixed by Dave O'Neill, produced by Kevin Satizabal Carrascal, Alex Collins, series producer Beth Rose, editor Damon Rose. Email: [email protected] with your thoughts and questions. And say "Ask the BBC for Access All" to your smart speaker and subscribe to us on BBC Sounds. We're here every week.
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'My heart exploded' - Cariad Lloyd on neurodivergent comedy show
2025/11/12
Comedian and author Cariad Lloyd says her "heart exploded" when she was invited to take part in her latest TV project, Playtime. The show sees neurodivergent comedians work alongside students who receive SEND support to come up with a play and perform it. Joining the conversation is Playtime’s autistic director, Céin McGillicuddy, who explains the joy of making the programme in just one day. Emily and Olivia are sisters who run Wheely Good Ceramics. They tell Access All how they have worked together to create a successful business - Olivia throws and sculpts the products while Emily mouth paints the designs. Comedian, TV star and disability consultant, Simon Minty, joins Emma in the studio throughout. Presented by Emma Tracey with Simon Minty Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Emma Tracey and Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Lisa Baxter
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How do you sign BSL and cut hair at the same time?
2025/11/06
After a summer of discontent and rebellions around welfare reform, the government has announced how it will look into the future of Personal Independence Payments (Pip) with the Timms Review, named after the Government minister in charge. That Minister is Sir Stephen Timms and he joins Emma to reveal who will be working with him on the review and how you can get involved. He also admits delays with Access to Work are getting worse, not better. Natasha Bloor had no idea she would be making headlines when she decided to train as a hairdresser. But the deaf stylist who communicates in British Sign Language (BSL) has become quite the hit, with deaf people from around the world flying in and booking their appointments with her so they can relax and chat while in the salon. Disabled influencer Eliza Rain, aka Disabled Eliza, also joins Emma Tracey in the studio to chat about what she does, and rolling, not running, the London Marathon. Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Emma Tracey and Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose
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'They're not free cars!' - Motability myth-busting
2025/10/29
There have been lots of rumours and speculation around Motability recently, especially when it comes to eligibility and price rises. The scheme enables some disabled people to lease and adapt vehicles using an element of their Personal Independence Payments. We get myth-busting with the CEO of the Motability Foundation, Nigel Fletcher, to find out what's really going on. And buildings around the world will turn purple next week as part of Purple Tuesday - an initiative to improve the consumer experience for disabled people. Founder of the event, Mike Adams, reveals it's reached countries including Pakistan and Malaysia and has inspired companies to pledge commitments including the six-second rule... Presented by Emma Tracey and Paul Carter Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Emma Tracey and Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose and this episode's editor was Lisa Baxter
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Podcast reviews

Read Access All: Disability News and Mental Health podcast reviews


4.7 out of 5
67 reviews
bigbenelli 2024/06/12
People have speech
In USA have issue with show ID vote, if you have speech impediments many time, me give id just give right to ballot. I agree with the people should n...
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madtav 2018/04/24
So wonderful!
I started listening to this podcast after acquiring a disability and having no disabled friends to support me through my adjustment. The Ouch team and...
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sweet parking 2017/11/29
Awesome
So happy to have found this podcast. Great to listen to stories from all different people and perspectives.
maximuscat24 2017/10/01
Amazing!
Wonderful hosts. Great producing. My partner is disabled and this podcast has been a great resource and very informative. It's a must listen for all f...
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lit major 2017/09/03
Changed my life
Old episodes with Liz Carr and Mat Fraser are wonderfully blunt and comedic in their approach to serious and often taboo disability issues. They truly...
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Rikiju 2017/07/19
One of my favorites!
I've been listening since the days of Matt and Liz. I came to learn more about disability culture (I'm an OT and I thought it would be 'good for me' ...
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Charlie Darling xo 2017/02/01
Yes!!
I *ADORE* this podcast. It's smart, fun, & interesting as hell. If you're not listening, you are definitely missing out.
Jenna and Bunny 2016/08/18
Just fantastic
Endlessly entertaining and informative! The hosts are smart and funny and the topics are accessible and relatable whether or not you have a disability...
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9tailfae 2016/01/30
Wonderful podcast
This has become one of my favorite podcasts. I've learned more than I ever expected & it's helped me learn to laugh & smile with myself. The best pa...
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rollradio 2015/03/01
You're On A Roll!
I am glad I found you. For 15 years, I hosted an American nationally syndicated talk radio show on life and disability. We did it with humor, and irre...
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