3Spoonies Episode Number 53.5, 23rd April 2026

With Karen Duncan , Jo O’Neil and Claire Napper 

In Part Two of our anniversary special, 3Spoonies continues the conversation on aids and adaptations, shifting the focus to cost, access, and the systems that shape disabled people’s everyday lives.

This episode goes deeper into the realities behind accessibility — not just what helps, but what makes access harder than it needs to be.

With lived experience from Paralympian Aaron Phipps, Innovator Melissa Smith, Designer Lady Sharon Farley-Mason, this is a frank, practical conversation about what accessibility really looks like in everyday life — and where the system is failing.

This episode isn’t about inspiration or “overcoming”.

👉 This is Part Two of our anniversary special on aids and adaptations.

Feel free to come and join us on any of our socials 

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If you’d like to find out more about our hosts;

Jo O’Neil

Website: https://bright-cat.co.uk/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-oneil/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightCatBusiness 

Claire Napper

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-napper

Website: www.blackveilstationery.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Blackveilstationery

Karen Duncan

Website: http://www.ponyponypony.co.uk 

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/PonyPonyPony 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PonyPonyPonyCourses 

Guests

Aaron Phipps MBE

Aaron Phipps MBE is a three times Paralympian and gold medal winning champion from the Tokyo 2020 games. He has scaled Kilimanjaro on his hands and knees for charity and has been voted in the top 100 most influential people in the UK with a disability.

https://www.aaronphipps.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-phipps-mbe-ply-062b3747/

Melissa Smith

Paws In Earnest designs innovative dog accessories that enrich mealtimes and reduce boredom, helping dogs live happier, healthier lives. Founded by Melissa after struggling to find accessible enrichment toys for her own dog, Paws In Earnest focuses on creating easy-to-use products that enhance dogs' wellbeing.

https://www.pawsinearnest.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawsinearnest/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawsinearnest/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pawsinearnest 

Lady Sharon Farley-Mason

I am a disabled entrepreneur and I bring sparkle and smile to people’s lives, so they can feel better about their disability. One of my strap lines is: Take dull out of disability.

https://glamsticks.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlamSticks/?locale=en_GB 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamsticksaccessories/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lady-sharon-farley-mason-32359760/ 

Sponsors

A HUGE thank to our main episode sponsor:  

Outside the Box: Neurodiverse Coaching and Mentoring®

Supporting neurodivergent adults to finally thrive in a world that sees their brilliance

Website: https://amandamckay.com/

Support Needs Wheel download: https://amandajharman.com/supportneedswheel/

Book a discovery call with AJ: https://calendar.app.google/DoCLrD9DhaFv3w7B8

And to our advert sponsors! 

Suzi Payton: helping neurodivergent adults and organisations build confidence, connection, and change—through comedy, coaching, and authenticity.

www.suzipayton.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzi-payton-a9b68b25/

https://www.tiktok.com/@suzipaytonaudhdcomedian

https://www.youtube.com/@suzipayton

https://www.instagram.com/suzipayton_audhdspeaker.comedy/

https://www.facebook.com/suzipaytonadhd

Adventures with ADHD podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4MCLGSmXIul1B1DcOEbsTs?si=ee54fbf833d5429a

Lost & Now Found: A guide to understanding and accepting yourself for late-discovered autistic adults:

https://amzn.eu/d/4kEzrUz

Nic Gray

The Anti-Hustle Hub is a supportive online community for neurodivergent entrepreneurs who want accountability, connection and sustainable ways of working, without burnout

https://nicgray.co.uk/the-anti-hustle-hub 

https://nicgray.co.uk

https://facebook.com/nicgrayadhd

Would you like to buy us a coffee? Check our Ko-Fi at Ko-fi.com/3spoonies

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:03 Guests recap and what we’re covering

04:58 Workplace adaptations

09:59 Sensory stuff at work

15:00 Airport assistance

20:00 Travel options and travel adaptations

24:59 When accessibility fails 

29:59 Events/exhibitions and  inaccessible stands

34:57 Invisible disability and guilt using support

40:00 Trains: seating conflicts and public reactions

45:00 Asking for adjustments

50:00 Business continuity plans

55:00 Tech/apps/AI as tools

58:18 Wrap up

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