Living on the edge

2016-12-14

On this hour-long show, we meet disabled people living in the Canadian Arctic and the Australian outback. Does cold, ice, snow, heat and remote living mean that these places are too inaccessible for them to function independently? Or do the communities rally-round in different ways to those connected towns and cities where access and independence might seem better? We hook up with a visually impaired couple who live in the icy city of Iqaluit by the Arctic Ocean. And, in remote Australia, we...

On this hour-long show, we meet disabled people living in the Canadian Arctic and the Australian outback.

Does cold, ice, snow, heat and remote living mean that these places are too inaccessible for them to function independently? Or do the communities rally-round in different ways to those connected towns and cities where access and independence might seem better?

We hook up with a visually impaired couple who live in the icy city of Iqaluit by the Arctic Ocean. And, in remote Australia, we speak to a man in Berrigan who setup a "shed" where men can congregate and talk as they toil, in order to combat isolation and mental health problems.

Contributors include: Holly Lane, Kelly MacDonald, Samantha Jenkinson of People with Disabilities WA, Tony Taylor from Men's Shed, Jo Russell, Mike Stopkaand and wife Jenna. With thanks to AMI Audio in Toronto, Canada and 720ABC Perth, Australia.

Presenters are Kate Monaghan and Simon Minty. The producer was Damon Rose.

Get in touch with us and tell us where you are listening to us from and what you do while you listen. email ouch@bbc.co.uk tweet @bbcouch or find us on Facebook. Also, tell your friends about the programme, rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts - it helps people who would appreciate this programme to find it.

Comments (3)