Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

The first driverless taxis are coming to London in 2026 courtesy of Google's sister company, Waymo. They'll be on trial in the capital, but will they become an access wonder or woe?Emma Tracey and Paul Carter quiz Amanda Ventura from Waymo on all the ins and outs on what the new vehicles could mean for disabled people. We also speak to American tech journalist, Steve Aquino, who as a man with anxiety and a visual impairment loves using them to get out and about. And we find out if Emma Vogelmann, the co-CEO of Transport for All, and a powerchair user, would take one for a spin.Plus, our very own producer Amy Elizabeth is in the studio because she has just won Carer of the Year! As well as juggling a career as a journalist, Amy decided to move in with her grandmother, Helen, who has been living with dementia for 10 years.Produced by Alex Collins, Kevin Satizabal Carrascal and Amy ElizabethSound mixed by Dave O'NeillSeries producer is Beth RoseEditor is Damon Rose

Since appearing on Strictly Come Dancing last year, and winning, comedian Chris McCausland tells Access All that he's "more open" and hadn't appreciated that showing vulnerability and a struggle to achieve really connects with people. Tune in for a really insightful conversation between Chris and Emma Tracey, who is blind like Chris, and asks questions other interviewers would never think of. He also talks about how he sometimes does up to three shows a day on his current stand-up tour. Paul Carter presents in Emma's absence as we return to the ongoing worries about the Access to Work (ATW) scheme and how campaigners like Dr Shani Dhanda from pressure group the Access To Work Collective believe cuts are happening with no announcement. Disability Correspondent Nikki Fox brings us up to date with this week's ATW figures which have just been released to show how much the government has spent on the scheme this last year.Sound mixing by Dave O'Neill, produced by Kevin Satizabal Carrascal and Alex Collins. It was series produced by Beth Rose with Damon Rose as editor. Share the podcast, please, subscribe on BBC Sounds or on your preferred podcast platform, or listen to us on your smart speaker by saying "Ask the BBC for Access All". Email Emma or Paul on accessall@bbc.co.uk.

Black people are four more times likely to be sectioned compared to white people, according to the mental health charity, Mind. That number is rising, but why?As the new Mental Health Act 2025 rumbles through Parliament, hoping to address some of these inequalities, we meet Shocka, a former member of the grime collective, Marvell. He has been sectioned four times and tells us what time in a psychiatric unit can feel like. Kadra Abdinasir, Associate Director of Policy for the Centre for Mental Health, joins us too to talk about why a framework around racial inequalities is crucial to improved mental health outcomes for black people and other minority groups, and the worry she and others have that it won’t be included as a priority in the Act and legally binding.Actress and model Ellie Goldstein has made a strong start in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing competition with her professional partner, Vito Coppola. We go behind the fake tan and sequins with Sam, who has learning disabilities, and his dance teacher, Jo Banham from Sensational Care Provisions, to find out how the duo might be pacing themselves, the moves that might not work for them and how they are managing to learn a new dance every week.Presented by Emma Tracey with Kirsteen Knight Sound mixed by Dave O’Neill Produced by Emma Tracey and Kevin Satizabal Carrascal Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose

John Davidson has been the poster boy for Tourette syndrome since 1988, when a documentary about him called ‘John’s Not Mad’ aired on BBC One. It showed the then 16-year-old from the Scottish Borders, living with explosive, often sweary tics, in a world that didn’t understand the condition. Three decades on, we’re much more aware of Tourette syndrome and that’s in no small part down to John and his campaigning. Now, a film based on his life - ‘I Swear’ - starring Maxine Peake and Robert Aramayo is about to be released.In this episode, John talks to Emma Tracey about the challenges of teenage tics, being shut in a school cupboard by a teacher so he didn’t distract the class, and the impact the physical tics are having on his joints and muscles as he gets older. Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Dave O’Neill Produced by Emma Tracey and Cordelia Hemming Series producer is Beth Rose Senior News Editor is Lisa Baxter

It's not often the BBC has to debunk announcements made by presidents for public health reasons - but that's the case this week after President Trump claimed that taking Paracetamol during pregnancy may cause autism. We speak with Eric Garcia, an autistic political journalist in the US, who tells us what the autism community is saying and why focusing on the mother as the catalyst for autism has unpleasant echoes from the past. How would you feel if a major European football club took a video of you and seemingly used it for fun in one of their social media videos? We speak to Welsh TikTok creator, Jessie Yendle, who had thought she was teaching the world about stammering but got a hurtful surprise. Plus comedian Juliette Burton joins Emma Tracey to shoot the breeze about some of the disability stories around including Blue Badge fraud and what the new DWP chief told BBC employment correspondent, Zoe Conway. Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill, producers were Beth Rose and Emma Tracey, the editor is Damon Rose. Email accessall@bbc.co.uk and say to your smart speaker "Ask BBC Sounds for Access All"

Disabled people are reporting that their Access To Work grants are being cut back, and at a time when the government is encouraging disabled people to get back into the workforce. As the ATW grant is awarded to help you hold down a job, or enable self-employment, it's causing confusion and concern. Disability correspondent Nikki Fox joins us to share her findings and what government is saying.The Bengsons are a joyous folk-rock duo from the US currently on a mini tour of the UK. They're both autistic, and their show Ohio fascinatingly plots the hearing loss of Sean, the male half of the two married musicians. You'll love their interview.Presenter Emma Tracey is joined by neurospicy comedian Juliette Burton to take the temperature of the disability stories floating around the internet this week.And British TikTok celeb Nathan Wedge joins Emma to talk about how his life changed after having 17 seizures, and a diagnosis of FND - functional neurological disorder. Formerly a dentist, is his body telling him he'll be able to go back to fixing peoples smiles?Say "Ask the BBC for Access All" to your smart speaker. It's dead easy. And search for us on BBC Sounds, and subscribe.Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill, PRODUCED by Emma Tracey and Damon Rose, the editor is Damon Rose. Email Emma now on accessall@bbc.co.uk - how's your news?

An impromptu cabinet reshuffle last Friday has seen Pat McFadden take the reigns at the Department of Work and Pensions, DWP. But who is he? And could this mean that the benefits arguments will reopen after the big government climbdown back in the summer?A report this week shows that people with learning disabilities are still dying significantly earlier compared to the general population. The LeDeR review regularly tracks the problem of appropriate medical care for those who can't communicate easily. (With thanks to Mencap for helping us put this piece together).Plus neurodivergent workers who don't perform at their best when tied to a desk (metaphorically speaking). Accessible pregnancy tests for blind women. And some great lyrics from songwriters who reflect their disability experience in their music.Presented by Emma Tracey with Alex Collins Sound Mixing: Dave O'Neill Producers: Alex Collins, Emma Tracey, Lucy Proctor and Phoebe Keane. Editor: Damon RosePlay the programme on your smart speaker, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds for Access All"Share the programme with friends and family and email us on accessall@bbc.co.uk

Emma Tracey speaks to one of the only visibly disabled MPs Marie Tidball, who has been fighting for parliament to be more accessible. She's been looking at door handles, voting systems and getting the Speaker's attention by ‘bobbing’. She sets out how she intends to make sure disability groups have a meaningful role in the government’s review of the assessment process for Personal independence payments (Pip). The Timms review, as its known, is led by Disabilities Minister Sir Stephen Timms and is set to report back in autumn 2026 and was ordered amid the government climb down over changes to disability benefits.Emma makes up her own version of a classic board game with disability pitfalls along the way, Paul Carter throws the dice and encounters her inaccessible traps!Plus Bethany Dawson from Politico gives us a rundown of the disability-related happenings coming up in the world of politics as MPs return after their summer break.SOUND RECORDING AND DESIGN: Dave O'Neill PRODUCERS: Phoebe Keane, Alex Colins and Emma Tracey EDITOR: Damon Rose

For years, many people living with ME and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have battled to have their experiences of ill health heard and validated. Now, two recent studies have shown there could be differences within their blood and DNA compared to the general population. We meet the scientist behind the research – Professor Chris Ponting – and Laura Boyles who has been living with the condition for 15 years.Blind podcaster, Evie Roberts, has only just finished her GCSEs but is already getting A listers to appear on her show and is keeping Emma Tracey on her toes.And we meet our second professor of the day – Professor Cathy Bully – who’s part of the team behind a new shoe which is helping people with foot drop, walk again. And in one case get back into the mountains, hiking. Presented by Emma Tracey with Kirsteen Knight Sound mixed by David O’Neill Produced by Alex Collins Series producer is Beth Rose Editor is Damon Rose

When Sarah Ezekiel was 34 and pregnant with her second child she was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). She lost the use of her hands and all “intelligible speech” within months, and her marriage broke down. Twenty-five years later, a family VHS tape filmed in the 1990s, resurfaced. Amongst the blaring TV and people talking in the background was eight seconds of Sarah chatting - barely audible at best. Despite the unlikelihood of rescuing anything from it, assistive tech company Smartbox set to work. Simon Poole looped and cleaned the scratchy audio with a variety of tools until the cockney accent and lisp , Sarah used to hate, returned in all their glory. Sarah can now use her own voice with her eye gaze technology. For her now grown-up children, Aviva and Eric, it was the first time they had ever heard their mother’s voice. Presenter: Emma Tracey Sound design: Dave O’Neill Producers: Emily Selvadurai and Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

Be kind to yourself, GCSE and A-Level results are on the horizon and some of us get much higher doses of anxiety and stress than others Emma Tracey, with BBC journalist Hayley Clarke, examine the experience for neurodivergent students and give some tips on the build up. They talk to Paddy, who went through difficulties at school thanks to his OCD brain, and feared the very worst when his A-level results came around. He is now a YoungMinds activist shouting out for other young people. And they chat with Dr Sarah Hughes, who never got her GCSE in maths, but is now CEO of Mind. The boss of a hugely respected national charity! Parents, she has your back here too.We also have your feedback on what disability minister Sir Stephen Timms told us recently, a chip shop made from felt, and Lewis Capaldi's disability anthem.Access All has disability stories in the way you want to hear them. Mail us your experiences: accessall@bbc.co.uk or find us on social media MIXED BY: Dave O'Neill PRODUCER: Alex Collins SERIES PRODUCER: Beth Rose EDITOR Damon RoseSay to your smart speaker: "Ask BBC Sounds for Access All".

Access All’s Emma Tracey chats to three comedians taking to the stage at Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. Joe Tracini has been battling with borderline personality disorder (BPD) his whole life but is in a good place and ready to wow the crowds in Scotland with his show, alongside the negative voice in his head, Mick. This year marks 20 years since comedy troupe Abnormally Funny People was formed, made up of a collection of comedians with disabilities or mental health conditions. Two of those performing this year include Juliette Burton and Harriet Dyer. Juliette talks about the A-Z of conditions she’s been diagnosed with since she was a teenager and how a recent diagnosis of autism and ADHD may have just made the previous 30 years of her life make sense. And Harriet Dyer, who lives with bi-polar disorder, reveals how she accidentally fell into comedy after telling the true story about how she died twice, to a classroom full of students. Presented by Emma Tracey Sound design: Dave O’Neill Producers: Ivana Davidovic and Emma Tracey Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

Disability minister Sir Stephen Timms talks to Access All's Emma Tracey a month after the government climbdown on benefits changes. They discuss the Access To Work scheme which Sir Stephen says is no longer the government's "best kept secret" because more people are using it. Plus they talk about a newly announced set of five collaboration committees featuring people with lived experience of disability and other stakeholders on important areas like youth employment. PRODUCERS: Emma Tracey, Ivana Davidovic EDITOR: Damon Rose MIXED BY: Dave O'Neill Email accessall@bbc.co.uk or find us on social media.

It's 35 years this week since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) came into being. In the UK we waited a further five years until we got an equivalent act, the DDA as it was then known. we take a look at how it came about with journalist Eric Garcia. Later we bring you top tips on how to be a total "gig pig" if you're a disabled person. The lowdown on Nimbus cards and booking accessible tickets to see your favourite band with a man who is going to 100 gigs in the next year using his wheelchair. No, it's true! And much more besides with Emma Tracey, featuring TV's Paul Carter. RECORDED AND MIXED BY: Dave O'Neill PRODUCERS: Ivana Davidovic, Emma Tracey EDITOR Damon Rose

Presenter and model, Christine McGuinness, has thrown herself into dating for the first time since discovering she is neurodivergent. She reveals to Access All some of her autistic dating tips and tricks and talks about her new BBC podcast, Situationships. She also chats about campaigning for more accessible playgrounds for disabled and neurodiverse kids. When he heard we were chatting about dating, BBC journalist, Alex Taylor, rolled by. He recently declared on his social media that he's re-launching on the apps. He thinks they can really help disabled people get out there but admits juggling dates and carers can result in some very awkward situations. Plus Emma Tracey and Paul Carter debunk the rumour going around that singer Stevie Wonder, who recently gigged in the UK, isn't really blind, and try to decide whether he's the most famous disabled person in the world right now. This is a fun episode, but if you're Alex's mum, this one is not for you! Sound recorded and mixed by: Dave O'Neill Produced by Ivana Davidovic Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose Email us: accessall@bbc.co.uk

Comedian Robin Ince speaks with Emma Tracey about his relatively new diagnosis of ADHD. He has written a book to try and help neurodivergent people "walk unafraid through the world" as he puts it. The Infinite Monkey Cage comedian speaks personally about distraction, creativity, intense interests and - perhaps the worst part of ADHD - RSD, Rejection Sensitivity Disorder. Recorded and mixed by: Dave O'Neill Producers: Emma Tracey, Damon Rose Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose

After weeks of debate and political rebellion, proposed changes to the health element of Universal Credit have cleared the House of Commons.The government's bill sets out that new claimants from April 2026, who have limited capacity to work and have been approved to receive the health top-up of the benefit, will receive £50 a week, compared to £97 for current claimants who will continue to receive that amount. The Universal Credit Bill is expected to be classed as a money bill, meaning it could become law after one month, with or without the approval of the House of Lords.Emma Tracey gets reaction and analysis from Big Issue reporter, Isabella McRae, Conservative counsellor Lana Hempsall and Jeremy Bernhaut from Rethink Mental Illness.Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Dave O'Neill Produced by Beth Rose and Adele Armstrong Editor: Damon Rose

This week, the programme is about cute disabled kids, how attitudes to disabled people are different in New York, kettles, faces, headlines, hackathons and a brilliant woman who's bringing education to kids spending time in a hospice in Wales. Paul Carter joins Emma Tracey in a show where we've deliberately edited out all the stuff about that welfare bill for the sake of all our sanities. It'll be back again soon enough though. It's disability like in real life, on a podcast, from the BBC. You're welcome. PRODUCERS: Adele Armstrong and Alex Collins RECORDING AND MIX: Dave O'Neill SERIES PRODUCER: Beth Rose EDITOR: Damon Rose

It's been a fast-moving day in the House of Commons as MPs voted to send the welfare bill on the next stage of its journey through parliament, but it's been far from clear-cut.Halfway through the impassioned debate from MPs on the effects of eligibility changes to benefits, the government offered up another concession - to delay any changes to one of them, Pip, until after a report involving disabled people is published in Autumn 2026.Many disabled campaigners are pleased with this change, but worried changes to the health element of Universal Credit for new claimants still currently stands. To explain the day's events and make sense of it all, we hear from Warren Kirwan from Scope, Fazilet Hadi from Disability Rights UK and Dan Bloom from Politico. Presented by Emma Tracey Sound mixed by Mike Regaard and Dave O'Neill Produced and edited by Damon Rose and Beth Rose (not related!)

Just after the clock struck midnight in Westminster all of the rumours and rumblings around the government's welfare reform plans to save £5bn came to a head as Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, released a letter to MPs outlining a series of concessions to the plans. They include making no changes to existing deals people have and disability co-production, which means inviting disability organisations to the table to help shape some of the reforms, going forward. So, have the changes pleased everyone? Mikey Erhardt, from Disability Rights UK and Labour MP Ian Byrne give their take on what the concessions mean. And we hear from Minister for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall. Presented by Emma Tracey Producer: Alex Collins Series producer: Beth Rose Editor: Damon Rose Sound design and mixed by Dave O'Neill