What are the problems facing our local disabled community?

What opportunities can you benefit from in the local area?

Disability Matters is the weekly show made by and for disabled people. With friendly guests popping in to chat about local advice, services and events.

The show is brought to you by our disability panel Kath Forden, Shirley Odell and Rob Cooper. Introduced by Debby Elley, co-founder of the national autism magazine AuKids.

Catch up with our Summer 2026 Series..

Bonus Episode: Hari Budha Magar working to make AI depict disabled people accurately.

In this special extra bonus episode Debby talks to Hari Budha Magar who lost both legs serving for the British Army in the Ghurka regiment. He went on to become the first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest, and is now campaigning for more realistic AI representation of disabled people.

To combat this the #DearAI Community Library, created by global prosthetics and MedTech company Ottobock in partnership with Microsoft, contains images of real people with limb differences in everyday situations, including as parents, colleagues, friends and athletes. They are looking for individuals, click here to find out more.

Episode 6: Autism Explained with Debby

Kath and Shirley chat to our Debby, from the award winning Aukids magazine, about autism to get a better understanding and break down some misconceptions.

To find out more about supporting a child with autism and much more, including how to purchase one of Debby's books, go to www.aukids.co.uk.

Look out for Debby Elley's new autism podcast coming soon to www.soundsmint.co.uk and all good podcast apps.

Episode 5: Disability Dating and Making Friends with Spring Into Action.

Spring Into Action provide services for people with learning disability and autism who find it difficult to get opportunities to form relationships and have communication difficulties making it more difficult when a situation does arise. Their Meet and Match initiative allows people to meet safely and long lasting friendships and romantic relationships have developed. User Louis tells how he met his partner through one of their pub nights. It is helping people with disabilities and autism get experience to get paid employment. Jack tells how he now helps the organisation with marketing and social media. Co-ordinator Lauri Bentley also told presenter Kath Forden, how they are in the process of organising some activities in the Wythenshawe area.

Stockport County FC Disability champion Matti Oates talks to Kath and Rob about their Pan Disability Football Project, the work they do with children and young people in schools and the community. Plus Matti talks about his own achievements, as a person with autism, getting a dream job at the football club he has supported all his life.

Episode 3: Cllr Anna Charles Jones on being disabled and making a difference

Cllr Anna Charles-Jones, has represented Heald Green Councillors as part of the independent Ratepayers group on Stockport council for 10 years.
She talks about growing up, how she got into local politics to make a difference, her work on the council , facing discrimination and why it is important for people with disabilities to be in public office.

Episode 2: Venue Accessibiity - the team discuss

Disability Matters with Kath Forden this week talking about accessibility to venues, shops and transport.

Episode 1: Visual Impairment unpacked with Josh Degan from Henshaws

Kath Forden and Shirley Odell kick off our Summer 2026 series, to discuss visual impairment with Josh Degan from Henshaws, the charity who support people who are blind or partially sighted.

Best of 2025 in the Disability Matters End of Year Show

Kath an Shirley look forward to the New Year in this edition plus look back at some of the highlights of the 2025 season, including Mike Kane MP and Cllr Tracey Rawlins. Featuring regular presenter Rob.

Disability Matters is a Mint Sounds production for WFM and is recorded in the Wythenshawe Forum Library Creative Space.