Our guest this month is Susan Scott-Parker OBE. Susan has over 30 years of experience working with business on disability as Founder of the [Business Disability Forum](https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk) (BDF) and now as an [international consultant](https://www.businessdisabilityinternational.org) advising organisations, NGOs and governments on disability issues.As CEO of the BDF, she signalled to colleagues, customers, and government that disability is a business and a societal priority. Susan pioneered the world’s first leadership programme for people with disabilities, in partnership with the Coverdale Organisation.Among other things, Phil and Simon ask Susan what lay behind her decision to settle in the UK and what her proudest moments have been. They then focus on what concerns Susan in terms of disability equality and fairness today and what is on the horizon.Phil and Simon are long-standing [Associates](https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/about-us/associates/) of the Business Disability Forum and as result have a unique view of working with the organisation and with Susan over the many years she was at the helm.A full transcript of this podcast is available, click on this link to [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/s/2hc49j2hokt1fpp/Phil%20%26%20Simon%20Show%20no.%2026%20Susan%20Scott-Parker?dl=0)

We kick off the show with a discussion around the emerging use of Jazz Hands at live performances. Jazz Hands what does that mean? Is it just a gimmick or is it more serious than that?Another favourite of ours is the use of language. The latest manifestation is the expression "Diffability". Is this just another attempt to sanitise or remove the stigma from the word "Disability". What do you think?Simon reflects on his recent conversation with someone who wondered why there isn't more anger and outrage regarding the treatment of disabled people in society.This leads to a further discussion about why it still appears to be so difficult to share personal information about disability in the workplace. Surely we’ve moved on?  Phil's recent experience of illness prompts a discussion about the difficulties disabled people can encounter when trying to access NHS treatment. Caring staff are to often let down by the physical environment. Whatever happened to inclusive design?  Finally, we wrap up with a roundup of comments from our listeners.We hope you enjoy this potpourri and it is always good to get your comments.You can download a full transcript here [http://bit.ly/2OmBeHy](http://bit.ly/2OmBeHy)  The transcript is also available on our Audioboom page, Twitter feed and Facebook page. Click here for the Itunes link https://apple.co/2AvKoe8 or here http://bit.ly/2sfwuLG for the Audioboom versionIf you have any comments, feedback or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. If you know someone who might enjoy our podcasts share the links and spread the word.You can visit the Phil and Simon Show Facebook page [http://bit.ly/1t8tS0d](http://bit.ly/1t8tS0d) or follow us on Twitter [@PhilSimonShow](@PhilSimonShow)

We’re two years old! Thank you for being our listener. Phil and Simon talk about disability on television, more specifically the pleasant surprise when someone on television happens to have a disability but it’s incidental to why they’re on. We contrast this with inspirational shows and wonder if such shows help.Finally, there are enforceable web accessibility standards…but hang on, haven’t they been around for years? We explain more.There’s new money from the Government to fund innovative programs to help retain disabled people in employment. We discuss if peer support would help ‘turn the tap off’ of lost talent, i.e. those who leave their job because of disability or health but could have stayed with the right adjustments.In the news round up, Belgium has reported on the authorised assisted deaths of two children aged nine and eleven, who had asked to die. There’s an update on the extension of the blue badge disabled parking scheme and Simon tells of his recent parking difficulties.**Links**BBC Four [The Prosecutors](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b072130s)BBC Two [Horizon Spina Bifida and Me](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bcmjht)[](http://bit.ly/2CbDxwt)[New Web Standards](http://bit.ly/2CbDxwt)[New money to keep disabled people in work](http://bit.ly/2LrbpoW)[Belgium reports on authorised euthanasia](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/07/belgium-authorised-euthanasia-terminally-nine-11-year-old-youngest/)[TRANSCRIPT](https://www.dropbox.com/s/mio8rr7vf7nw34z/Transcript%20Phil%20%26%20Simon%20Show%20No%2024%20-%20Aug%202018.pdf?dl=0)

We kick off with some thoughts about Noel Conway and his attempts to change the law on assisted suicide.Labelling, mental Illness so what is a disability and what isn't. Simon continues the search for an accurate and meaningful definition.After the reaction to our previous podcast, we focus on our embarrassing or vulnerable bits and pieces arising from our disability. Phil's describes his aversion to swimming pools and being seen undressed. Simon shares his thoughts regarding people's reaction to his size and the embarrassment or anger this can invoke.We finish with a roundup of listeners feedback. Thank you and keep it coming. [Clear for the transcript](http://bit.ly/2LxbyXX) Here are links relating to the Noel Conway discussion.Tony Bland [http://bit.ly/2MDzR6Y](http://bit.ly/2MDzR6Y)Noel Conway [https://bbc.in/2KaMUQk](https://bbc.in/2KaMUQk)Gosport hospital deaths [https://bbc.in/2JByP9p](https://bbc.in/2JByP9p)Not Dead Yet UK [http://bit.ly/2vcVBOV](http://bit.ly/2vcVBOV)

On this months show, Phil and Simon grapple with some morally complex news topics. How do you decide who should get legal aid? Does this lead to more injustice? Then the heartbreaking case of the little boy Alfie and how medics, the law and parents all have a say in a disabled person's life when the individual can't speak for themselves?The business case for accessibility is updated with new research from Euan's Guide and are we seeing a lot more disabled people on television, particularly Britains Got Talent.Legal aid link for more information [http://bit.ly/2EKdQyN](http://bit.ly/2EKdQyN)Euan’s Guide research link [http://bit.ly/2IgBq9d](http://bit.ly/2IgBq9d)[Transcript for Show 21 Justice and Rights](https://www.dropbox.com/s/kueo56n7lzmg224/Phil%20%26%20Simon%20PodcastNo%2021%20%20May%202018rtf.rtf?dl=0)

It’s just Phil and Simon this month and we return to our format of debate, news and humour about issues relating to disability and beyond.Are we looking at the great divide? Does the traditional concept of disability exclude many people - those seen as not disabled enough and those whose needs are greater, they weren’t included? Is identifying individual impairment groups, developing new words for this, helpful? Will it lead to better inclusion, greater tolerance or just split us in to factions?In the news, there’s discussion of the passing of Professor Stephen Hawking, a legal update on wheelchair spaces on buses plus news about potential changes to the Americans With Disabilities Act asking, is it going backwards? Did you understand what the Motability Operations story in the press was about? Phil and Simon delve deep.For those listeners who like it when we disagree, you’ll enjoy our debate on whether the Phil & Simon Show should be on YouTube. We’d love to hear your thoughts.Transcript - [https://www.dropbox.com/s/zaxje7nxh33qr2i/Transcript%20Phil%20%26%20Simon%20Show%20No%2020%20March%202018.pdf?dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/s/zaxje7nxh33qr2i/Transcript%20Phil%20%26%20Simon%20Show%20No%2020%20March%202018.pdf?dl=0 "Transcript to the Show 20")

Hello, everyone and welcome to our 19th show.If you're involved in disability, you will have likely heard of Baroness Jane Campbell. A hugely talented and admired person, she's a disability rights campaigner, writer and for the last ten years an independent peer in the House of Lords. As our guest in this intimate, sometimes funny conversation, she discusses her childhood, going to special school and the barriers she faced as a University student. She talks of the light bulb moment when she understood disability and its impact on her and the world. With her unique insight being in the Lords, she shares her thoughts on Brexit and its potential impact on disabled peoples rights. She reveals how she's become a fine negotiator, what she does in her spare time, and when she retires, her plans for world travel…once she has made planes more accessible.We think it is a special show and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it.A transcript of this podcast is available via this link.   [https://www.dropbox.com/s/pfif3kubr4z89au/Transcription%20P%26S%20Show%2019%20Jane%20Campbell.rtf?dl=0](https://www.dropbox.com/s/pfif3kubr4z89au/Transcription%20P%26S%20Show%2019%20Jane%20Campbell.rtf?dl=0 "Transcript Show No. 19")

Phil and Simon were lucky enough to have Neil Crowther as a guest on this show. Neil is an independent expert on equality, human rights and social change with a particular interest in working to secure the rights of disabled people.Phil & Simon talk to him about his work, both past and present, including his time at the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Disability Rights Commission (DRC). Neil questions if the disability equality and inclusion agenda was really better ten years ago? We explore how disability equality is seen as a human rights issue, not simply through anti-discrimination legislation and ask why the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability isn’t more dominant in the UK?Neil chips in to the ongoing discussion about those who would be defined as disabled but don’t identify as so and asks, is it necessary, helpful, let alone possible?Neil writes a blog which has highlighted the risks of framing a need for change in an alarming or ineffective way, and if worded poorly, does it do more harm? Should the narrative be about reminding people of shared citizenship?Finally, there’s a discussion of the perhaps surprising findings of how disabled people in the UK vote, be it in a general election or the recent EU referendum. Also how social class can be over looked in the equality agenda. Neil is a fan, most of the time, of Twitter and tells us about his recent shout out for positive stories around disability in the UK over the past 20 years.**Links to topics discussed. **[Neil’s blog page](https://makingrightsmakesense.wordpress.com).[Authors of our Lives](https://theindependentlivingdebate.wordpress.com) blog page[Inclusion Project](http://inclusionproject.org.uk)The [specific blog](https://makingrightsmakesense.wordpress.com/2016/03/21/the-choice-ahead-on-protecting-and-promoting-investment-in-disabled-peoples-lives/) mentioned in the show**Some of the people mentioned who have influenced Neil. **[Baroness Jane Campbell](http://baronesscampbellofsurbiton.uk)[Professor Gerard Quinn](http://www.nuigalway.ie/cdlp/staff/gerard_quinn.html)[Catherine Hale](http://www.catherinehale.net/p/other-publications.html)Click on these words for [Transcript available](https://www.dropbox.com/s/k7xoauybbs1lukl/Phil%20%26%20Simon%20Show%2018%20transcript.rtf?dl=0)See also our Facebook page and Twitter feeds

Hello, everyone, this show is our 17th and the last of 2017.Simon reviews his recent trip to America spent hanging out with some Googler's. He also had a ride in the Tesla!Recent changes to Access to Work are discussed. We debate Philip Hammond's recent assertion that Britain's falling productivity is in part due to the fact that more disabled people are in employment.The terms "suffering" and "inspirational" once again get an airing.On a sad note, we remember Sir Bert Massie whose death was recently announced.We close the programme with some listener feedback and Simon's trials and tribulation concerning getting some window blinds fitted.Finally, we hope you have a very happy time over the Christmas holiday and that 2018 brings peace and contentment to you and yours.