Coalition of 350 disability organisations against Assisted Dying Bill

Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

More than 350 disabled people’s organisations have formed a coalition to oppose the Assisted Dying Bill.

The bill proposes that anyone aged over 18 in England and Wales who has a terminal illness with six months or less to live should be allowed assistance to end their lives. Safeguards within the proposals include two doctors and a high court judge approving the request.

The new coalition is being led by Disability Rights UK, which despite having long held a neutral stance on the issue has now announced it opposes it.

Emma Tracey speaks to DRUK Policy and Campaigns Officer, Bethany Bale and Professor Tom Shakespeare, who was one of eight disabled academics and campaigners to sign an open letter to MPs calling on them to support the bill.

Also on the show – Strictly Come Dancing insider, Reece Finnegan-Knight, comes on to spill all about blind contestant Chris McCausland and THAT blackout performance.

Reece himself is blind and works as an assistant producer on the show. He also runs popular TikTok account, Blind and Blonde, with his wife, Sophie, and during the interview reveals the inspiration behind their viral videos like “My Blind Boyfriend - the Stereotype edition”.

Presenter: Emma Tracey Producers: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Editor: Beth Rose Sound recording and mixing: Dave O’Neill