To mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we catch-up with Oleksii and Raisa who previously spoke to Access All.

Oleksii has learning disabilities and, after initially re-locating to Denmark, returned to his group home in Ukraine a few months ago. Raisa runs a nearby respite centre for disabled people.

And we hear from Sara Cincurova, a human rights journalist, who has recently visited a specialist school in Ukraine for disabled children.

This episode also shines a spotlight on teen actress Niamh Moriarty, who has cerebral palsy and was thrilled to break away from the stereotype of disabled characters and play a bully in her new film, September Says.

Plus we hear how surf therapy is becoming a craze for the over 50s in Wales with mental health challenges.

PRESENTER: Emma Tracey

Corie Mapp, a double leg amputee, is fresh from winning gold at the Para-bobsleigh World Championships in Switzerland.

Niamdh Braid took her local council to a tribunal at the age of 16 (and won!) after they refused to provide her with a BSL interpreter in class.

Actor Michael Patrick has just picked up an award for his unique portrayal of Shakespeare’s Richard III, which gives the play a fresh twist inspired by his own experience of living with motor neurone disease (MND).

Michael is no stranger to MND. His father died from the condition and his sister is also living with it, although drug trials for the siblings have given them more hope for the future.

Also on this episode, the charity Mencap says it fears for peoples lives after the NHS dropped annual health checks for people with learning disabilities from its priorities plan.

We speak with Mencap CEO, Jon Sparkes, as well as Nigel and Rahima about their experiences of the Health MOTs.

And we meet Japan’s Nobuyuki Tsujii, a blind pianist who’s played at concert venues around the world including the Sydney Opera House.

Presented by: Emma Tracey

Adults diagnosed with ADHD have shorter life expectancies, according to a groundbreaking new study.

University College London (UCL) crunched nine million GP records to find that, on average, women with ADHD die nine years earlier, and men seven years earlier than those without ADHD.

Josh Stott, professor of ageing and clinical psychology at UCL, the lead researcher, explains to Access All why this is happening. We also hear from broadcaster Christo Foufas, who has ADHD, and describes how his struggles with binge eating and recreational drugs eventually led him to a diagnosis of ADHD.

Edited by Beth Rose and Ben Mundy

You can contact the team on [email protected]

Facing the California wildfires when you’re disabled and marking Holocaust Memorial Day

A mum of two tells Emma Tracey about spending more than half of the family’s income on her children's special educational needs (SEND).

Alice moved her two daughter’s to a private school after she felt they weren’t being supported in state education.

Emma also catches up with adventurer Jonny Huntington who became the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.

And, we meet Tina and Jack from Daylight Studio, a music charity which supports people with learning disabilities, whose song Watermelon Fantasy has been sampled by Snoop Dogg!

Presented by Emma Tracey

Owen Tooth is the first wheelchair user to direct EastEnders — he's already handled his first "duff duff" moment and is due on set for a string of episodes in early 2025.

More than 9,000 people answered the English Private Landlords Survey - with 47% saying they would be reluctant to provide adaptations.

Sam Lewis, who lives in privately rented accommodation in London and has Crohn’s Disease and rheumatoid arthritis, shares her experience of asking numerous landlords to make their properties more accessible for her.

We also hear from Paul Smith, Director of Foundations, the public body advising prospective tenants who require adaptations and the agencies who provide them. He also has some advice if you’re about to begin the process of requesting adaptations yourself.

Presenter: Emma Tracey

Our expert panel looks ahead to what 2025 is likely to bring for disabled people and mental health service users.

They discuss ongoing issues which are likely to carry on making headlines in 2025 – such as the Assisted Dying Bill and changes to disability benefits.

Presenter: Emma Tracey

It’s been a busy year for disabled people. From the Paralympics in Paris to the first ever blind winner of Strictly Come Dancing to a new generation of disabled MPs getting elected to parliament, 2024 has seen its fair share of disabled high achievers.

But what’s been YOUR favourite? This special festive episode features a look back at the past year on Access All - as well as the big moments famous friends of the programme have chosen as their 2024 highlights. It also includes the responses our listeners have sent in.

Also on the show - BBC Senior North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue drops by to talk about what it’s like working as a blind journalist covering the US - and the moment he found himself on the scene at a rally in Pennsylvania when a gunman tried to assassinate Donald Trump.

AND The Choir With No Name - a choir for homeless people - round off our Christmas edition.

Presenter: Emma Tracey