Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

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 ClarkeSound mixed by Dave O'NeillSeries producer is Beth RoseEditor is Damon Rose

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

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 CarterSound mixed by Dave O'NeillProduced by Emma Tracey and Alex CollinsSeries producer is Beth Rose and this episode's editor was Lisa Baxter

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.

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

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?

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