Access All: Disability News and Mental Health BBC Sounds

Another episode dedicated to election-related topics suggested by you, the audience.
This time round, we look at mental health, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), housing and how, for many immunocompromised, disabled people, the COVID pandemic never ended.
This week’s panel – Fazilet Hadi from Disability Rights UK, and veteran of our previous panel; Sam Carlisle from Disabled Children’s Partnership; and Nil Guzelgun from mental health charity Mind – look at what the seven main parties standing in the General Election on 4 July are offering on those issues.
Presented by Emma Tracey
Production by Daniel Gordon and Natasha Mayo
Sound recording and editing by Dave O’Neill
Edited by Farhana Haider

BBC Scotland political reporter Ian Hamilton joins Emma Tracey on this week’s podcast.
Both of them are blind and they discuss why they and other blind people can’t confidently vote in secret.
They talk about the pitfalls of tactile voting templates and share their experiences of polling station staff. They also consider whether technology might offer a solution in the future.
Also on the show: Britain’s fastest deaf swimmer, 25-year-old Nathan Young, on his 1,000 day campaign to persuade politicians to fund his bid to compete in next year’s Deaflympics.
Presented by Emma Tracey
Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins
Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill
The editor was Farhana Haider
Is there is an election issue affecting disabled people you think we should be talking about? Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us mailto:accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on Twitter/X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

We asked what was on your mind ahead of the General Election and you answered in your droves.
Despite an estimated 16 million people being disabled in the UK many of you told us you feel invisible - why is that? People with learning disabilities are said to be the group least likely to own photographic ID, such as a driving licence, potentially adding an extra barrier to polling day. We fill you in on how to prepare.
And our fabulous panel – Politco reporter Bethany Dawson, Mark Brookes from Dimensions UK and My Vote, My Voice and Fazilet Hadi from Disability Rights UK –give their insights and predictions on what might happen when it comes to key areas including social care and benefits.
Presented by Emma Tracey
Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins
Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill
Edited by Beth Rose
Is there is an election issue affecting disabled people you think we should be talking about? Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us mailto:accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on Twitter/X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

We hear what it’s like to live with a disability in a war zone.
Boshra is an 18-year-old woman who lives in Gaza and has muscular dystrophy. She and Oleksii, a man with a learning disability from Ukraine, share their experiences with presenter Emma Tracey.
Emma also speaks to George Graham, CEO of Humanity and Inclusion, a charity which supports disabled people living in conflict areas.
Presenter Emma Tracey
Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins
Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill
Special thanks to Irena Taranyuk, BBC Ukrainian Service
Edited by Farhana Haider
Is there an election issue affecting disabled people you think we should be talking about? Get in touch, we really want to hear from you. You can email us accessall@bbc.co.uk or message @bbcaccessall on Twitter/X or Instagram. Our WhatsApp number is 0330 123 9480, please begin your message with the word ACCESS.

The launch of Chat GPT-4o is already making it easier for blind and visually impaired people to live independent lives, and promises to open up accessibility for people with many other disabilities.
Emma Tracey gathers a panel of experts, featuring technology journalist Paul Carter; the CEO of Be My Eyes Mike Buckley; and Professor Annalu Waller, Director of the Augmentative and Alternate Communication Research Group at the University of Dundee. They discuss what the technology might mean for disabled people – considering not only the advantages, but also the potential downsides.
Also in this episode, Emma takes part in a workshop called Hair&Care, where visually impaired people learn to style their own hair.
Presenter Emma Tracey
Production by Daniel Gordon and Alex Collins
Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill
Edited by Ben Mundy

The boss of Paralympics GB joins us, with just over 100 days to go until this summer’s Games in Paris. From studying politics to a spell in banking – not to mention playing blind football for England - we explore the work Dave Clarke’s done to help innovate the workforce – and the playing field.
Plus, is Right Care, Right Person the right approach? The scheme used by several police forces in England and Wales means fewer officers attend mental health calls. Instead support is provided by the NHS and mental health services.
One top police boss believes it is a success, but as you’ll hear mental health charities have concerns.

Presenter Emma Tracey
The episode was made by Alex Collins and Daniel Gordon
Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill

The editor was Ben Mundy