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Dr Ruth Owen OBE started in the tech industry, then became CEO of Whizz-Kidz, a national children’s disability charity. Two years ago, Ruth accepted a demanding and, some consider, contentious role, becoming CEO of one of the big disability charities in the UK, Leonard Cheshire. Ruth is our guest this month. As we spoke with Ruth, we moved away from her career and considerable achievements to find out more about the person behind the titles. What drives Ruth, what influence did her parents, her education, and the institutions she grew up in have on who she is today? As a disabled child, what are her memories, the challenges, and dreams? Is there a connection to why she dresses immaculately and has a need to smell jet fuel? In a fascinating conversation, we discover how much who she was then, determines who she is now. We explore how Ruth can achieve her ambitions to ensure Leonard Cheshire remains relevant and purposeful for those disabled people they engage with and those they don’t. LinksRuth’s Twitter handle @Ruth_owenOBE Ruth Owen biography  Leonard Cheshire Annual accounts 2020/21 Whizz-Kidz 

Welcome to the first show of 2023, where Phil and Simon are ready to serve up the year's hot topics! In this episode, we'll discuss everything from the highs and lows of 2022 to the exciting things on the horizon for 2023.First up, we'll be talking about the joys of hitting the gym as a visibly disabled person. It's not always easy, but the gains are worth it (pun intended). We'll also discuss the excitement of welcoming a new grandchild into the world and pondering the meaning of "equal love."We'll also be delving into the struggles of dealing with a decline in physical abilities. You know, like when picking up a cup of tea becomes a weightlifting competition and pulling up your trousers becomes a marathon. But we're all in this together and will discuss ways to confront these challenges.And last but not least, Simon will be chatting about the thrill of being involved in a BAFTA-winning TV show (and six other awards!) in 2022.We approach serious topics with thoughtfulness and humour, promoting positivity while acknowledging the need to confront reality and find the best way to navigate it.

Creating change in the world of disability takes many skills. One perhaps less recognised is finding the right word for the right moment. Our guest this month is adept at this and would give Gyles Brandreth a run for his money. Kate Nash is the founder and chief executive of Purple Space, a professional development membership hub for disability employee resource groups. Her recently published first book, Positively Purple, discusses the importance of this work. It also "shares" (another Kate word) some of her personal disability history; Kate readily admits it isn’t something she finds easy. Through her work and her book she encourages other people with disabilities to find their voice, tell their story and ultimately achieve what they want to and who they wish to be. Whether she is being a networkologist (working with Employee Resource Groups aka staff networks) or utilising the obstinacity (obstinate and tenacity) that many of us have and often unfortunately need, Kate is a formidable presence in the world of disability advocacy.  Links Kogan Page  Positively Purple Kate Nash book Amazon Positively Purple various formats Purple Space Kate Nash LinkedIn Purple Light Up Twitter

Phil and Simon are ripping it up, pushing the conversation, and exploring the boundaries of where we are today when it comes to disability. There’s fun, seriousness, thoughtfulness, respectful disagreement, celebration and controversy We ask why does the ‘life stops after becoming disabled’ idea remain so strong? Phil explores his concerns about Ellie Simmonds going on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and Simon vehemently disagrees. We highlight the worrying crisis for disabled people in being able to recruit PAs and support workers. If that wasn’t enough, Phil has an idea for some merch.  Right at the end, we have a packed inbox of brilliant and interesting comments from you.  Links Going blind and travel Guardian article on the Canadian family travelling the world Travel Eyes for blind travellers  Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing John Whaite brilliant Instagram video about difference on Strictly Ellie Simmonds Instagram  Nikita Kuzmin Linktr.ee (Ellie’s dance partner) Crisis in care workers Guardian article Staffing crisis in care homes Personal tweet Baroness Jane Campbell on recruiting a PA Video of House of Lords Care Crisis Q&A 7 Sept 2022

Professor David Turner is a social and cultural historian with expertise in disability, medicine, gender and the body. He is our guest this month. David’s current research explores the history of disabled people’s political activism in Britain since the eighteenth century. In an accessible and illuminating conversation, he tells us of the earliest known recorded documentation of disability rights and political activism. This includes the book 'Biography of the Blind’, first published in 1821, written by the remarkable James Wilson. We learn why what was said to the British Government by disabled people way back in 1832, still resonates today. With David’s expertise and insight, we learn how 200 years of disability history can inform us today and into the future. Links Home page including publications list  James Wilson’s Biography of the Blind, pub. 1821 on Google Books.  On Twitter @DrDavidMT Disability History pod and video with Prof Turner  Disability History: Thinking Differently About the Past resource page Blog about how Prof Turner helped put disability in the teaching curriculum with one teacher  Historic England History of Disability Year 1050 to present Tom Shakespeare Collection: Disabled Lives

Our guest is Gordon McCullough, the Chief Executive Officer of the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RIDC). If you’ve not come across the RIDC, they are a well-established research organisation with a panel of more than 3500 disabled people. As Gordon has said, "No business would actively exclude a fifth of its potential customer base, yet many do by not being accessible to disabled people, and this is where the RIDC comes in".  Gordon explains how they carry out their qualitative and quantitative research through the fantastic panel they have created. Carrying out valuable research for organisations is part of their role; they also carry out research they have identified from the panel. We talk with Gordon about the biggest issues for disabled people during Covid and why electric vehicles might leave disabled people behind. He also talks about being a non-disabled person in a user-led organisation - what did he have to learn, and what does it mean to the people RIDC work with? Phil is the Chair of RIDC, so he leaves some of the questions to Simon this time. We suspect by the end of the show, you’ll want to join the panel and add your voice to bring about change, you can by clicking the link below.  Links RIDC website  Join the panel   Online or telephone 020 7427 2460 or email research@ridc.org.uk Selected research projects  Twitter  RIDC

Some people fear disability and comedy. Not so our guest this month. Steven Verdile created the satirical website The Squeaky Wheel to create and publish funny stories with disability as a theme.  Steven explains how the site came about, what inspired the name and how the growing team of writers write the material. An expanding and loyal readership means the site is thriving. It’s even been the answer to a US newspaper crossword clue.   Making it sustainable is a wish of Steven’s. Making sure they push the boundaries of comedy but don’t step over the line of appropriateness is a frequent consideration. Making it professional and paying people is in the plan.   Take a dive into some of the funniest headlines and then listen to the pod and find out what The Squeaky Wheel is all about.    Website https://the-squeaky-wheel.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesqkywheel/ Twitter @TheSqkyWheel Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheSqkyWheel Steven https://www.stevenverdile.com Private Eye https://www.private-eye.co.uk The Onion https://www.theonion.com BBC Access All https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02r6yqw

If disability and television are your thing, you will have noticed some significant improvements of late. On-screen, we know #RepresentationMatters but behind the camera is equally important. Our guests this month are two of the people who are instrumental in changing the landscape of disability and television. Nichola Garde is the Project Manager of Elevate. This is the BBC’s mid-career-boosting scheme for behind screen talent who have a disability. Allan MacKillop is Disability Team Leader covering both creative and workforce strategy at the BBC. A massive brief with high expectations.  We asked Allan and Nichola why so much change now? What do they think are the best methods for the improvement of disability and television? We talk pan-industry as Channel 4, ITV, Netflix, and others push this forward. Indeed, Netflix has a genre of disability-related programmes now.  We ask Allan and Nichola’s advice on getting in and getting ahead in the industry. Finally, we offer them a magic wand to see what else is on their wish list. Naturally, we ask how they got to where they are and what adjustments they need to be the best they can be.  Links  Twitter   @NicholaGarde   @AllanMacKill BBC Elevate  BBC Extend ITV Disability  Channel 4 Disability Netflix and BBC Netflix Disability shows 

It’s a fantastic show this month - insight, depth, nostalgia, vulnerability, power and the future.   The BBC recently broadcast a docudrama telling the story of the disability rights campaigners of the early 1990s in the UK. Using the love story between two key protagonists, Then Barbara Met Allan is a landmark piece of television. Not only because of the story it told but the number of creative disabled people who made it. It allows Phil and Simon to take a joyful and triumphant walk and wheel down memory lane to talk about their memories of this time and the impact it had on the country as well as so many individuals.  Slips trips and falls are a common occurrence for some with a disability. Unfortunately, Phil recently took a tumble. When you’re campaigning for social justice, you’re seemingly invincible but in reality, we can all experience moments when things don’t go as planned. What can you do, what can you change and does the fall or the shame hurt the most?  We talk about what is happening to disabled people in Ukraine. We have a remarkable update from Sarah, one of our immunocompromised guests from the previous show and a lovely Listener's Corner on the impact it made. Geoff tells us all about Yellow Jackets and there’s a shout out for your help on a future show.  Links Then Barbara Met Alan  Wikipedia  BBC iPlayer  Disabled people’s Direct Action Network  Disability Rights, a history as a wallchart BBC article When disabled people took to the streets to change the law Barbara Lisicki aka Wanda Barbara Johnny Crescendo aka Alan Holdsworth  Disabled people in Ukraine  Sophie Morgan book  Yellow Jackets 

Coronavirus restrictions are easing here in the UK and around the world. We are said to be on the road to freedom; masks are dropping, hand sanitiser solidifying, and we're willing to take a chance again.  For many, this is excellent news, but not for all. For those who are immunocompromised (500,000 people UK) or clinically extremely vulnerable (3.7m people UK), the road to freedom has many potholes. They have a greater risk of catching Covid, and they are more likely to go to a hospital, more likely to be admitted to ICU, and face an increased risk of dying. Life for this minority is still restricted. As the majority move on, is there a risk of people being left behind? We reached out to some affected listeners and spoke with them about the impact and their current lives. Sarah Baxter, who works for a UK bank and Gareth Berliner, is an actor and comedian. Both are immunocompromised. They tell us about asking a fellow train passenger to put on their mask, of donating work clothes to charity in March 20202, realising future office visits will be few. There's even a fortuitous career change as the new workplace adheres to strict Covid protocols. As well as Sarah and Gareth, we hear from Christina Clegg in the UK and Denise Rei and Jen Risser in the USA. All five of our guests talk of the early days of the pandemic, when for a few months, we were unified when we all faced a significant health risk.   The stats might not lead the news bulletin, but Covid-19 is still here. What can society and individuals do to avoid a twin-track society? How do we consider the needs of the few whilst allowing the many to continue? Links Join Zoe Covid info, trackers and stats Guardian Jan 2022 first article "More people will die fears." Guardian Jan 2022 second article "Disabled people Plan B restrictions." Colin Angus on Twitter Sheffield University | Health inequalities | COVID-19 | Data visualisation  Selected info  Those with underlying health conditions are not also at death's door.  One-third of the UK adult population have hypertension (high blood pressure) Just under a third are obese. Once you get past your mid-50s, chances are you have a long-term health condition. By the time you reach your 70s, you have to be extremely lucky not to. ICNARC Statistics and research Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre. Levels of dependency prior to admission to acute care (Dec 2021) report shows 89.5% lived without assistance, 10.4% had some assistance, 0.4% had total assistance.  Sarah Baxter on Twitter Gareth Berliner on Twitter

We had a chat with regular guest Joanna Wootten and cultural critic Geoff Spink to ask them their disability or Deaf stand out moment from 2021 and what they’re excited about in 2022. We added our highlights in there too. The stand out moments for us is very broad and includes Strictly Come Dancing, Abnormally Funny People comedy at the Royal Festival Hall, the next Lewis Hamilton racing in Bahrain, a William Boyd book, ’ Any Human Heart’ and the film Cyrano with Peter Dinklage. In addition, the UK Government’s Disability Strategy and the second reading of the British Sign Language Bill in the House of Commons make the list. Let us know what are your favourite moments. Enjoy the show. Links Abnormally Funny People  Abnormally Funny People sing ‘Stand By Me’ Lockdown version 2021 Any Human Heart print Any Human Heart audio British Sign Language Bill Cyrano film IMDB Cyrano film website National Disability Strategy Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2021 Kart Racing in Bahrain  Albert Friend 45:33 in Strictly Come Dancing Rose and Giovanni YouTube Succession season 4 Digitial Spy

Bristol recently advertised for a Commissioner for their Disability Equality Commission. You need skills and experience and be expected to be a spokesperson. Time commitment is up to seven working weeks a year. Salary, zero. How much do we value equalities work? What value do we give to different contributions? When should we get paid, and when is it voluntary? How do we value those who help achieve it? There has been all-party support for some new play parks for disabled adults in Bristol again, coincidentally. So good news? Well, it might be, but why has this cropped up? A mum of a disabled adult said they were 'met with verbal abuse and complaints when using play areas in Bristol's parks. They want to create a safe, fun, accessible and life-changing disabled adult play park". Phil and Simon grapple with the conflict of why can't disabled adults play where everyone else does; why are those who are the abusers not being moved or educated? Is this a pragmatic and beneficial solution? Geoff rocks up with his cultural pics: a book called Moving by Jenny Eclair and TV show Baron Noir, on Prime. A bumper Listeners Corner with your brilliant emails and messages. We finish with a heartfelt Christmas message. See you next year and thank you for listening. Links Bristol Disability Equality Commission Playing Parks in Bristol  Moving by Jenny Eclair book Moving by Jenny Eclair audiobook Baron Noir IMDB

Two topics feature in this months podcast.  Gardners might use the term perennials to describe them. Others might say weeds that never quite go away. Two topics we discuss and we disagree on, but we have an enjoyable and explorative discussion getting there.  Assisted suicide, aka assisted dying, is back in the spotlight as Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill passed through the House of Lords at the end of October. Whilst this won’t directly change the UK legislation (currently, assisted suicide is illegal), it shows the debate is very much alive. Phil is opposed to changing the law, and Simon asks him why.  Do positive action schemes, disability training, and targets work? In his MacTaggart lecture, scriptwriter Jack Thorne suggested that to get more disabled people on TV. It’s time for quotas. Mind you, it feels like a golden period for disability appearing on television. After years of encouragement, are TV execs commissioning and casting more? Have the schemes finally paid off? Or has the murder of George Floyd and that which followed rippled across the pond and changed everything? Simon thinks yes, Phil asks him why.  Geoff tells us his latest cultural recommendations, including the return of Succession and what he thinks of John le Carre’s final book, Silverview. There’s a great Listeners Corner to finish.  Links Assisted Suicide  Baroness Meacher bill on Assisted Dying Not Dead Yet UK Baroness Jane Campbell article  Colin Low, Tom Shakespeare and Christie Arnsten article Disability and TV Jack Thorne MacTaggart Lecture Aug 2021 Royal Television Society panel discussion on disability and television Cultural corner  Succession  Silverview - John le Carre Here’s where to start reading John le Carre blog

In the UK one of the first pieces of disability rights legislation was the 1970 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act. Over the next three decades, disability rights campaigners made a distinction between illness and impairment, for understandable reasons but perhaps with hindsight, this has had unintended consequences. Language is returning to including both, so disabled people and people with long term health conditions is a common phrase. So if you created a Venn diagram of disability and of illness, how big would the intersection be? To explore this we invited three people who have fine minds and long term health conditions. We speak with UK based Catherine Hale, Founder and Director: Chronic Illness Inclusion, to US-based Katie Elizabeth who is editor and author and a director of Stigma Fighters and David Ager, a Location Analytics Specialist who comes with his personal take. We had a fantastic, personal and insightful conversation. We highlight why some people with non-visible conditions feel like imposters, or they are not always believed. Why identifying as disabled when you’re long term ill is positive. Where traditional models of disability like the social and medical models help and hinder. There’s some compare and contrasts with US and UK viewpoints and we finish by asking our guests, what would help most in the future? LINKS Twitter accounts for guests and their connected organisations Catherine Hale Katie Elizabeth David Ager  Links to further reading  Chronic Illness and Inclusion Project (CIIP) –  Mobilising a Collective Voice for Social Change What are energy impairments? Images from Rea, thank you, Rea. https://www.reastrawhill.com University of LeedsHere's a link to Rea's blog https://www.reastrawhill.com/post/chronic-illness-and-disability-am-i-disabled

Delivering training on disability means you get some excellent questions on the subject. A colleague of ours was recently asked, ‘Is impotence a disability under the Equality Act?’ We try and work it out by exploring the impact and then ask, what sort of discrimination might arise to see a case? After last month’s hugely popular show about the word Ableism we move to another relatively new term - microaggressions. Defined as ‘an indirect, subtle or unintentional form of discrimination, we ponder when to let it slide and when do you tackle it? We wonder what might be the impact on someone after a 1000 of these? WeThe15 campaign launched recently. Their website states, ‘WeThe15 is sport’s biggest ever human rights movement to end discrimination…of the world’s 1.2 billion persons with disabilities who represent 15% of the global population.’ Phil has some doubts, what is different, what change will come about or is it another campaign that lights up the sky before fading? Or as Simon suggests, is this is what’s needed, constant wheel-reinvention to keep the agenda moving forward? Geoff tells us about two of his current favourites - The White Lotus and Have You Heard George’s Podcast? We round off with a bumper Listeners Corner. Maybe we mention you? Take a listen via the link below.  Links Erectile dysfunction (impotence) defined Micro-agressions Wiki There are many blogs that explore this subject well. Have a search and read. Here’s one from the BBC on language. WeThe15   The White Lotus on Sky  The White Lotus IMDB Have You Heard George’s Podcast? George the Poet

Have you noticed a change in how disability is discussed? For example, words like ‘ableism’ and ‘internalised ableism’ are perhaps not mainstream but more commonplace, especially on social media.  We were thrilled when Professor Fiona Kumari Campbell, Professor of Disability and Ableism Studies, University of Dundee, agreed to come on the show. In an authoritative and entertaining interview, Fiona explains the most dominant use of ‘ableism’ isn’t as intended. Fiona’s concerned it is being used as a sledgehammer, without explanation, and its hostile use creates them and us. Fiona reminds us social theories are explanatory narratives, making sense about the world and a watershed moment for some, but they are theories, the social model isn’t a fact. Fiona suggests being disabled can be a constant state of ambivalence with the negative reminders we frequently receive having a cumulative impact. Fiona encourages us to have dialogue, to listen and above all else, to read more.  It’s a treat to listen, think and absorb Fiona’s thinking, her concerns about what is happening, what’s been lost along with what we can do and what we need to think about in the future.  And some reading and watching recommendations for you, Geoff returns with his Cultural Corner. This month it’s Mare of Easttown and The Shipping News.  Biography Professor Fiona Kumari Campbell, is Professor of Disability and Ableism Studies in the School of Education & Social Work, University of Dundee, Fiona is an interdisciplinary scholar-activist and not a traditional academic, being biracial, disabled, LGBT and from a religious minority background. Fiona has written extensively on issues related to disability – a philosophy & sociology of ableism, disability in Sri Lanka, law, biotechnology and is recognised as a world leader in scholarship around studies in ableism. Further information and links Papers and publications on Academia Educ Contours of Ableism - Professor Fiona Kumari Campbell, Palgrave Macmillan, 2009 Internalised Ableism: The Tyranny Within from Contours of Ableism (also Internalised Oppression) United Nations Human Rights video - What is Ableism?  People and topics Fiona makes reference to  Sayonara CP / Goodbye CP  Japanese film featuring people with Cerebral Palsy 1972 Theory as a Liberatory Practice “I saw in theory…a location for healing”  bell hooks, Glorian Jean Watkins  Articulating a sociology of desire exceeding the normative shadows  by James Overboe "I refuse to be an accountant of atrocity."  Randall Kennedy   General  BBC article on micro-agressions and ableist language NCCJ Handy primer with disability essentials  Thank you to <

A full show, we have several current topics and two brilliant guests. Author Victoria Scott has written a book that is, influenced by her relationship with her sister (who is disabled) and the family dynamics when deciding if medical intervention is the right path. Geoff Adams-Spink tells us about Netflix smash, Lupin plus a new Radio 4 show, The Confessional where celebrities admit to behaviour they are not always proud of.  And of course, you have Phil and Simon rattling through topics that have got them thinking. Simon cites disabled lawyer, Gregory Mansfield, whose insightful tweets show disability and ability happily co-exist and blasts those who get stuck at the ‘dis’ part. Phil wonders if Ambassadors actually have power and influence. We also discuss the seemingly more easy question of compulsory vaccinations for people working in care or support roles.  Links to everything are below. We hope you enjoy the show.   Gregory Mansfield on Twitter  FT  Vaccine compulsory for some jobs   Paywall BBC New disability Ambassador  Netflix Lupin trailer on YouTube BBC Radio 4 The Confessional  Victoria Scott on Twitter  Patience by Victoria Scott  Bookstore Patience by Victoria Scott Goodreads

In her recent Guardian article, Dr Frances Ryan raised concerns that ‘Remote working has been life-changing for disabled people, don’t take it away now‘  As we come out of lockdown, we know that some companies are expecting employees to be back in the office 9 to 5, seven days a week. Ryan also flags up concerns regarding cultural events. Is there a new risk that organisers might say disabled people can watch it online rather than making the event or venue accessible? When two of Simon’s neighbours react differently to an on the street altercation he has, what should they do? What’s the difference between supporting versus defending? Can you tell when a disabled person is struggling but ok, compared to floundering and not ok? Cultural Corner has us singing and getting the lyrics wrong after Geoff tells us about BBC’s Soul Music. We’re laughing when we hear of Jenny Eclair’s latest radio show, Little Lifetimes. Links Remote Working by Dr Frances Ryan  Cultural Corner Little Lifetimes by Jenny Eclair  On Audible and On BBC Sounds  BBC Soul Music Song Exploder  Africa by Toto

One person, many facets: disability, ethnicity, mental health, being a woman and youth. On this month's show, we are delighted to welcome Doaa Shayea. In her 22 years, she has packed in an extraordinary amount. Doaa talks frankly about her mental health challenges and what she's learned about herself and the world she lives in. Energetic, resilient and determined, she faces the future with optimism and confidence. She also believes as disabled people we mature much more quickly that others as we become aware of others around us ands their reactions. Born in Yemen with spina bifida. She and her family settled in the UK when she was aged 6. Attending a special school in the UK, Doaa quickly learned how to survive At the age of 11, she was spotted as a potential wheelchair track star (Simon is so jealous) and still trains twice a day, every day. Doaa set up her beauty business in 2019 and has added disability advocate to her working portfolio. As a young woman of colour with a disability, as you will hear, she has faced all sorts of difficulties.  She missed out on the qualifying time for the  Rio Paralympics by half a second. It’s a compelling story, from someone who appears to have so much on her shoulders whilst maintaining her self-belief. Her motto: "In order to be the best you've got to fail hundreds of times and be strong enough to keep getting up."   BBC article on Dooa Dooa Shayea Socials  Instagram  YouTube  

If you use the word ‘disabled’ with something you’re promoting, do people switch off? If you create a product to assist a disabled person but ignore this, are you authentic? Are products created for disabled people only used by disabled people…except the telephone, electric can openers, electric windows, pre-cut fruit, voice dictation, automatic doors…but other than these…?  Does the word ‘disability’ point to a history, to culture, to shared experience? Is using the word ‘disabled’ appropriate when talking about someone who has a long term or chronic health condition?  Where do ‘Energy Limiting Impairments’ fit? Does the social model struggle to get going when an individual struggles to get going?  All these questions provide a rich source for Phil and Simon to discuss and debate. The questions come from new research into energy limiting impairments and Nike promoting their new Go Fly Ease trainer. We have a contribution from Lawrence Carter-Long, Director of Communications at DREDF (In California) and #SayTheWord evangelist. We wrap with your letters and emails.  We don’t profess to have all the answers, and we know there are gaps. Let us know your thoughts mintyandfriend@gmail.com Links Slate Article - Nike’s avoidance of the word Disabled  NPR Article - Disabled - Say The Word Twitter feed - Peeled Orange Phenomenon  Nike Fly Ease Shoes  Research reports recently published about, Energy Limiting impairments  People we mention Catherine Hale Twitter  Chronic Illness Inclusion Twitter  Katie Elizabeth Twitter Marie Pye Twitter Kay Allen OBE Twitter Lawrence Carter Long Twitter   Ross Hovey YouTube Ross Hovey Instagram  Russell Silver Syndrome Podcast  Dope Black Disabled