Ouch: Disability Talk

As LGBT Pride month makes way for Disability Pride Month, UCAS exclusively reveals to Access All that disabled students are twice as likely to identify as LGBT. Connor, a trans man, and Lucy, a lesbian, talk about the positive experiences they've had of finding their communities while studying, but also the challenges they've experienced, like inaccessible venues. Emma Tracey and Martin Dougan take the show on the road to give blind tennis a go (watch out for the video on social media) to see if they're Wimbledon ready. And disabled dancer, Kate Stanforth, talks about re-imagining her ballet career after she became a wheelchair-user and getting her students to tap dance…with their hands. Produced by Beth Rose and Keiligh Baker Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall

After a rough few weeks for disabled air passengers, Access All learns insurance caps on damaged wheelchairs could be removed As Glastonbury Festival gets under way, guest presenter Martin Dougan relives the time he braved the mosh pit in his wheelchair when seeing The Prodigy. And Live At The Apollo comedian, Chris McCausland, gives Martin and Emma the backstage gossip on TV panel shows and why failing a job interview for MI5 was probably for the best. Produced by Beth Rose and Keiligh Baker Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall

Being in a mental health crisis is an already distressing experience, yet for hundreds of patients the situation is made worse when sent away from home for treatment due to a lack of beds. Experts call it an "inhumane" practice which was meant to stop in 2021, so why is it still happening? American singer, Lizzo, made headlines around the world when an ableist slur featured on her latest track, Grrrls. Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey get to grips with what that really means and the impact such insults have had over the years. And actor Arthur Hughes, whose credits include Then Barbara Met Alan and The Archers, talks about becoming the first disabled actor to play the ultimate (disabled!) villain, Richard III, for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Produced by Beth Rose, Keiligh Baker and Alix Pickles Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall

As singer Kate Bush climbs the charts once again, disabled super-fan Nikki Fox reveals she believes dancing to Bush's music helped her keep walking for longer than she expected. Nikki and Emma Tracey chat about Love Island's first deaf contestant while trying not to play Top Trumps with their disabilities. And, getting serious, as the cost of living crisis begins to bite, Rob tells Access All the impact on his mental health and the strategies he uses to cope with it. Produced by Beth Rose and Keiligh Baker Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall.

Disabled people who live in high-rise flats reveal to Access All their fear of not being able to escape from a fire after the government turns down mandatory evacuation plans that were recommended by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Joe Kimber says "the fear of being cremated alive is horrendous" while Sarah Rennie, who runs campaign group Claddag, says "a lot of disabled people across the country are very frightened". They talk about their personal experiences and how they plan to fight the decision. Blind TikTok star Lucy Edwards joins Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey to talk about her latest fashion campaign, how her two million followers accidentally got her in the dance music chart, and her hopes for future motherhood. Produced by Beth Rose and Keiligh Baker Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall.

After the BBC's Frank Gardner was left on a plane at Heathrow Airport waiting for his wheelchair to be returned to him upon landing - we ask, why does this keep happening to wheelchair-users? Nikki and Emma explain the very complex and very Covid reasons behind it and reveal some possible solutions that might be coming your way soon. We also hear from wheelchair-users who join in with Frank's annoyance. Aidy Smith was a successful child actor until he developed Tourette's Syndrome and the industry stopped booking him for jobs. With a bit of imagination and a knowledge of drinks he developed and produced the hit TV show, The Three Drinkers. He reveals the highs, lows and horrors of schooling at a time when little was known about Tourette's, and he talks about his brand new documentary which busts myths surrounding the condition Presented by Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey. Produced by Beth Rose and Keiligh Baker With thanks to Mary Doyle and her wheelchair and airport knowledge. The editors were Damon Rose a

The number of blind and visually impaired people who say they have fallen from train station platforms onto rail tracks is shocking, and something Access All explores this week.It follows the death of Cleveland Gervais who died in 2020. He fell from a London platform into the path of a train. A recent inquest ruled his death an "accident" but found the lack of tactile paving on the platform edge contributed "more than minimally" to his death.Artur Otega reveals his own harrowing story. He and his guide dog, Mercer, fell onto the rails at a busy London station which didn't have tactile paving. "The guide dog was screaming," he says, with a train just moments away. We ask what's being done to stop these incidents happening again.It's also Mental Health Awareness Week with a focus on loneliness. Sophie Potter, who has Down's syndrome, talks candidly about her experience of loneliness following a bereavement and the closure of her day centre during the pandemic. She also gives Nikki a glimpse into the world of mo

When he was a child, Australian singer Sheldon Riley was diagnosed with autism and says he was never expected to talk. But next week he’ll be competing in the Eurovision song contest. He tells Nikki about the challenges he faced growing up and how he deals with performing at large noisy events. Nikki also chats to life coach Mary Doyle after figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed disabled employees are paid, on average, 13.8% less than their non-disabled peers. And actor Ruth Madeley talks about her latest film project with Rebel Wilson, why every film set should have an accessibility co-ordinator and the best writing advice she got from legendary screenwriter Russell T Davies. With Nikki Fox and Emma Tracey This week's Access All was made by Beth Rose and Keiligh Baker. The technical producer was Dave O'Neill. The editors were Damon Rose and Jonathan Aspinwall.

In the very first episode of Access All, Nikki Fox meets the families with disabled children who rely on specialist medical equipment and are facing very difficult decisions as energy bills in the UK soar. Dan’s taken to lifting his 12-year-old daughter, Emily, from sofa to wheelchair rather than use her power-guzzling hoist. It might save money, but it’s damaging his back. Single-mum, Adele, wants to take her terminally ill daughter, Molly, out on day trips but with lifts and suction machines needing to be charged, it’s become impossible to pay for these outings. Nikki and Emma Tracey explore exclusive figures obtained for the podcast from the charity Contact, which surveyed 5,500 families about the impact of increasing energy costs. Almost 2,000 families said they feared their child's condition would get worse as a result of rising prices. Ever wanted to join a gym, but found the biggest barrier is walking through the door? Emma has the lowdown on how to begin your gym-journey while revealing her own

Wheelchair user Tanya fled Ukraine for Poland, worried she couldn't evacuate from her fourth floor flat in an emergency. And an autistic journalist left Moscow when her article denouncing the war on Ukraine went viral, afraid she'd be detained by the Russian government. The two disabled women tell their stories to Ellis Palmer and Emma Tracey. This is the last episode of Ouch. Stay tuned to this feed for news of an exciting new programme. For now, say to your smart speaker "ask the BBC for Ouch" and subscribe so you're ahead of the game for a new weekly programme to keep you on the inside track.

The Winter Paralympics are under way in Beijing, featuring a host of daredevils who ski, board and sometimes crash down mountains. A large portion of ParalympicsGB is made up of military veterans who were wounded or became ill during active service. They took up the sports as novices through the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST). So why is snow so good for rehab? And what skills will they be sharing now the Olympic team has come calling, and want to work with them? Elizabeth Winfield and Simon Allanson from AFPST reveal all, along with Jonny Huntington who experienced a brain bleed in 2014 and took up skiing afterwards. He’s also hoping to become the first disabled person to travel from Antarctica to the South Pole, solo. With Beth Rose. Subscribe to Ouch on BBC Sounds and email the team on ouch@bbc.co.uk

As the Winter Paralympics begin in Beijing, join us on a whistle-stop tour of disabled life in China.Jia, a 26-year-old student who uses a wheelchair, says she sees more disabled people out and about in China than ever before, but access to education and the workplace can be challenging.China expert Stephen Hallett, who has a visual impairment, says progress accelerated when Beijing hosted the Summer Paralympics in 2008, but when President XI Jinping came to power, grassroots disability activism was squashed. Presented by Beth Rose. The editor was Damon Rose (no relation) To listen, say "Ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker, and subscribe on BBC Sounds. email ouch@bbc.co.uk

Our guests were all told to shield at the start of the pandemic. Gareth has Crohn's disease and receives nutrition through a line in his chest leaving him open to sepsis. George struggles with respiratory infections due to Muscular dystrophy. And Keiligh, with a kind of leukaemia, takes meds that suppress her immune system. Now, as the prime minister lifts restrictions for everyone, they recall their two years of isolation and consider a future living with the virus. Produced by Keiligh Baker and Emma Tracey. Tell your smart speaker "Ask the BBC for Ouch" and subscribe to us on BBC Sounds to get the latest podcast.

In 2020 the global sex toy market was valued at more than £24bn by industry experts* – but does it cater enough to disabled people?Curious? Explore the world of accessible (and inaccessible) sex toys in this podcast... Kelly Gordon, head creative at sex toy brand Hot Octupuss, shares her own saucy anecdotes alongside Joy Addo, who talks about her life as a “fat, black, blind, SEXY, single mother-of-one” on her own show, Joy’s World The Podcast. The duo also discuss practical advice, a secret “pleasure room” and how disabled people can buy and use sex aids, helping to navigate a topic that is too often taboo. Don’t forget to subscribe to this podcast on BBC Sounds or say "Ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker. Presented by Keiligh Baker Produced by Amy Elizabeth *Grand View Research first reported the global sex toys market had been valued at £24bn in 2020: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/sex-toys-market

Our reality podcast continues. Kate has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and is recovering from a hysterectomy when, after managing to avoid it for almost two years, she contracts covid-19. Holly has no immunity due to being a transplant patient, will she also test positive now it's reached the household? If you have any advice or wish to share your experiences with Kate, please email producer Amy at amy.elizabeth@bbc.co.uk Please note this podcast is not to be used as a reference for medical advice; always speak to a professional if you have any concerns regarding covid-19. Listen to Ouch's Isolation Diaries with Kate and Holly right now by saying "ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker. And subscribe now on BBC Sounds.

Our reality podcast. Kate has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, is a mum of two, wife to an immunocompromised Holly, and is awaiting a hysterectomy. A complex situation where Covid restrictions have brought more obstacles than anyone could have imagined. After months of anxiety and years of pain, Kate is given a date for the surgery - but unfortunately it doesn't go smoothly. Emotions take over as plans are thwarted. Expect tears as Kate records the most intimate and challenging moments - as they happen. If you have any advice or wish to share your experiences with Kate, please email producer Amy Elizabeth at amy.elizabeth@bbc.co.uk Listen to Ouch's Isolation Diaries with Kate and Holly right now by saying "ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker. And subscribe now on BBC Sounds.

Rianna Walcott, The co-editor of upcoming anthology The Colour of Madness, says being black made it harder to get mental health support. She explains why some in her family are wary of medication. In the last episode of Mentally Interesting for now, our presenters are thinking about hope and revealing their "most absurd secret habits." With Mark Brown and Seaneen Molloy. The producer is Emma Tracey and the studio manager is Dave O'Neill.

They're useful to many, but Seaneen often feels isolated during mental health awareness weeks because her story hasn't had a perfect ending. The presenters discuss how standing out as a mentally ill teen has stayed with them and still makes connecting with others tricky. Meet Shuranjeet Singh from Taraki, a mental health organisation for the UK Punjabi community. And the Amazing New Feature would be funny, if it wasn’t so unfunny. With Mark Brown and Seaneen Molloy, produced by Emma Tracey. Subscribe to Ouch on BBC Sounds or say "Ask the BBC for Ouch" to your smart speaker

Can you tell if your pain or symptoms mean you have a physical or mental problem? Our presenters often delay getting medical help because of this and worry everything will be put down to mental ill health. Plus, guest Helen Moulinos from POHWER explains what advocacy is, and describes how she learned to speak up for herself and her mentally ill father from very young. She is also a 9/11 survivor. With Seaneen Molloy and Mark Brown. Produced by Emma Tracey. Subscribe to Ouch on BBC Sounds or tell your smart speaker "Ask the BBC for Ouch" email ouch@bbc.co.uk

Having pets has helped presenters Seaneen and Mark with their mental health ... though Seaneen admits it’s tricky hiding cats from landlords. Hear listeners' stories including gaming journalist Sam's choice of animal which might be more distressing than helpful for some! His rats give him something to come home to, he says. Pictures of pets mentioned in this episode will appear on our Twitter feed @bbcouch With Seaneen Molloy and Mark Brown - every week in January 2022. Produced by Emma Tracey. Use your smart speaker to "Ask the BBC for Ouch". And subscribe on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.