Disability Tangent Podcast

Podcast Editor

IAmIsaacHarvey

Here is a personal blog where I delve into sharing in-depth stories that inform the life and challenges of living with a disability. Through my blog, I aim to bridge the gap between the unseen aspects of disability and the world at large, providing a new perspective enriched by my experiences as an MBE honouree, disability advocate and adrenaline junkie. From my adventures in skiing and skydiving to advocacy in adaptive fashion and disability rights, I bring my journey to a wider audience, aiming to inspire and educate. Join me as I explore the highs, the lows and the transformative moments of my life, all shared with honesty and aimed at fostering understanding and inclusivity.

Blogger

Founder

All4Inclusion CIC

In this role I have been creating varying shorts from podcasts and other long form content from All4Inclusion. I have complete creative control using varying clips to make it representative of the disability community and beyond  whilst making sure that the videos are inclusive by adding captions.

Video Editor

One Place East

One Place East a charity which caters for people with disabilities and those with mental health conditions where I am back in the role of a freelancer creating, editing and producing videos of what the charity does in its different projects.

Video Producer

One Place East a charity which caters for people with disabilities and those with mental health conditions started a new project called One Place Creative. At this job my core responsibility is a project facilitator doing workshops for people with disabilities and those with mental health conditions to learn about the creative industries.

 I also create a wide variety of videos which part used for the different projects which are within the organisation what or to be put on their social media.

I am creating and sharing different social media posts of what to the organisation does internally and externally via LinkedIn. Also, sharing any news which may be happening in the area. I also create leaflets, videos and other social content for all platforms.

Social Media Representative

One Place in Conversations is a regular podcast which usually involves us talking about different and relevant topics within the disability and mental health realm. I am either working behind the scenes so it works smoothly or I am hosting the conversation.

Podcaster

One Place East a charity which caters for people with disabilities and those with mental health conditions started a new project called One Place Creative. This project aimed to get these people to learn about the creative industries by getting an insight by professionals such as filmmakers photographers etc etc. We also got the chance to let these participants visit BT Sport and go to a live performance for Britain's Got Talent to see the behind-the-scenes on how it all goes.

 I was in charge of facilitating workshops on a weekly basis and also stepping in and doing a few. I was also tasked to film the journey of the young people who came to our sessions.

The project ended at the end of June however because of the current lockdown we have continued to engage with the participants and offered m sessions outside of the creative industries.

Project Facilitator

One Place East created a Access Retail Guide which was a booklet which would be sent to local shops and sentence to make it more accessible for people disabilities. I was tasked to make this retail guide into a video which showcased the people who made the booklet and also all of the shops and businesses which had implemented all of the ideas to make the shops more accessible.

Pond5

I have decided after years of not being active on my Pond5 account that I would return uploading unique content from my library of years of adventure and put them up as stock footage. I have a goldmine of content which I hope will add value to other film makers and content creators.

Pond5 Artist

LinkedIn

Linkedin Creator

Wheels and Wheelchairs

I am the president of an outdoors activity sports club called Wheels and Wheelchairs. We are a group of London-based skaters, rollerbladers and wheelchair users!  We go out on a regular basis in London, Battersea Park where we skate with a group called Easy Saturday Skate. We also take part in challenges and marathons in Europe.

My end goal of being the president of this great organisation is to some day see it around the world.

President

The Grumpy Gits Show

I create very short form content which is taken from podcasts and turned into reels / shorts. I use my creativity to make them engaging and fun to watch as well as making sure that the content is accessible by adding in captions.

Disability Expo

From being an ambassador earlier this year to now being tasked in editing regular Disability Digest videos which showcases people who are coming to the show and the different areas that are going to be at the convention.

As a brand ambassador my duties are too bring people from the disability community as well as those who want to engage to come to two days worth of panels, fashion shows and much more at the Excel centre London.

Ambassador

JAAQ.

I am a JAAQ Creator talking openly and honestly about disability. JAAQ stands for Just Ask A Question which is providing valuable, credible information about mental health so that we can start to bridge the gap.

JAAQ Creator

Born and raised in East London, with a disability called limb/pelvic hypo/aplasia, which means no arms and short legs. I have never allowed my condition to be a barrier to my ambitions, my drive and my determination to succeed. What I have found is I am becoming increasingly disenchanted with the way the system operates. The thing is, I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a team of supportive individuals who help and guide me on an ongoing basis. My advocate especially is helping me get through a particularly interesting period in my life. May it not be an easy journey, I'm getting through it one step at a time.

However, not everyone that is experiencing some form of disability, has a strong support network or is able to articulate their challenges effectively. My mission is to correct this and help those in need by empowering them to be the best they can be.

From skiing and skydiving to tall ship sailing, Embracing every adventure with enthusiasm, where it is accepted first and questions are asked later. For over a decade, I've used my feet to operate computers, edit videos, manage emails and connect with the world.

My journey has been marked by significant milestones and recognition. Recently, I was honoured with an MBE, awarded by King Charles himself, for my services and advocacy to those within the disability community. I have also modelled an official London Fashion Week catwalk which led me to being featured in Vogue magazine, sharing the importance of adaptive clothing. I've also built a following of over 40,000 people on LinkedIn, sharing my experiences and insights with a global audience. 

My role as an ambassador for several charities and as the president of Wheels and Wheelchairs - an organisation where roller skaters push wheelchair users - reflects my commitment to community and inclusivity.

My achievements have been only possible because of the continued support of friends and family, who have always encouraged me to be the best version of myself. This support was crucial as I navigated the challenges of mental health, learning the importance of honesty and self-awareness.

At the end of the day, my goal is not to change the world, but to make a difference in individual lives. By sharing both the highs and lows of my journey, I just want to have a realistic perspective on disability and it can still be a very fulfilling life.

I’ve officially been featured in Forbes.

I never thought I would announce such a thing in my life. 

From someone who just wanted to be creative, to then finding myself talking openly about disability and becoming an advocate… life really has a funny way of working out. 


Back in 2022, I came across a post from a tattooed flight attendant who was challenging what professionalism “should” look like. 

He had used the hashtag #IAmProfessional.

It really made me stop and think about how my own way of working might be seen. 

So, I decided to share my own take.


Lying down in bed, using my feet to edit videos and just being honest about how I work in today’s world. 


It was a completely last-minute idea with a picture that wasn’t polished at all. 

I posted it without thinking much of it, never expecting what would happen next. 

Within seven days, that post took off and reached seven million impressions, starting a conversation that showed professionalism can look different for everyone and that what really matters is the work that gets done, not how it gets done. 


A few months ago, Keely reached out to me out of the blue. 

She told me how that post had resonated with her and so many others in the community. 

And how she wanted it to get more of a spotlight.

Tying it in in with National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the United States.

A moment to celebrate and recognise professionals with disabilities who are redefining what work looks like today.


I’ve said this to her both privately and online, but I’ll say it again here. 

When I grow up I just want to be like her. 

Keely, thank you for everything you do for the community and seeing something in my story. 

Getting to do this with you is honestly so cool, and I’m forever grateful.


Full article:

https://lnkd.in/eAyeJhuk


Who would have guessed that leaving school, deciding not to go to university and just going with the flow would lead me here? 


ID: Isaac sits in his powered wheelchair, laughing naturally while wearing a light striped shirt. The light catches his face perfectly, showing a genuine and unfiltered moment of joy. The background fades softly from blue to grey, giving the image a calm and warm atmosphere. His laughter feels real, like someone just said something funny off camera. The photo has a casual feel to it, showing that professionalism can still include lightness, laughter, and authenticity.

Isaac Harvey MBE

Storyteller & Creator | Turning Lived Experience Into Stories & Adventures

Isaac Harvey sits in his powered wheelchair, laughing warmly while wearing a light striped shirt against a softly lit blue and grey background.

After months of fighting the local authority and the mental toll that came with it, yesterday I finally saw my permanent house.

I showed it to some of my closest people who were happy for me.

And all of them asked me how I’m feeling.


And truthfully, I couldn't give a straight answer to any of them.


I’m not excited about the house itself.

I’m excited about what it is now going to allow.


It finally means having 24-hour support.

The support that will give me freedom.

Freedom to decide to go to Cambridge tomorrow.

Or to head into Central London without having to plan days in advance.

Freedom to see friends and family as friends and family… not as carers.


That’s what I’m really looking forward to.

But there’s also sadness.


Because as much as my temporary accommodation has been chaotic at times, it’s also been home.


The routines, the people, the connections.

They have become part of my everyday.

And one day soon, that will all be gone.


I look back now and wish I’d appreciated where I was a lot sooner.

It’s funny how frustration can cloud the good that’s right in front of you.

For so long I was focused on everything I didn’t have, that it took months after moving in to truly see what had been keeping me going.


I didn’t want to move this year.

That was never part of the plan.

But I was pretty much forced so the local authority would finally listen.

Something as basic as receiving the right support shouldn’t take this much fight.


Yet here we are.


The light at the end of the tunnel feels close now.

And I know this isn’t the end, but I also know it’s the beginning.


A new era of Isaac is about to begin. 



ID: Isaac sits in his wheelchair at the centre of a freshly painted hallway, wearing a bright orange beanie, a black and white jacket, and grey gloves. The walls are white, the floor a smooth grey wood, and there’s a single exposed lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. The space feels untouched, like the beginning of something new. He’s smiling… not in celebration but in quiet reflection. You can almost sense the exhaustion behind that smile, the months of fighting to get to this point, the moments where hope felt far away.

Isaac, smiling in his wheelchair at the centre of his new home’s hallway, wearing a bright orange beanie and black-and-white jacket.

I was on London's iconic billboard being Piccadilly Lights! 💜

It was Purple Tuesday in 2022.

The first Tuesday in November highlighting and celebrating the importance of improving the customer experience for those with disabilities.

And this time next week I'll be in Hong Kong completely celebrating in a totally different country.


I honestly still can't believe I'll be travelling in just two days time and it's thanks to Faride and her persistent.

And again grateful to Erousselina and Rachel who will be accompanying me on this first trip to Asia.



#PurpleTuesday



ID: Isaac Harvey sits smiling in his powered wheelchair in front of the iconic Piccadilly Circus screen in London. The large digital billboard behind him displays a campaign for Purple Tuesday, featuring images of various disabled advocates including himself at the centre of the screen wearing a purple and blue Seated Sewing outfit. The sign reads “Join us” with the website PurpleTuesday.co, promoting improved customer experiences for disabled people. The wet pavement reflects the bright purple and yellow lights from the billboard.

Isaac can be seen sitting in his wheelchair just in front of the iconic Piccadilly lights where it is promoting purple Tuesday on the Billboard.

Tomorrow I will be flying to Hong Kong as the keynote speaker at the Sensational Foundation Gala dinner this Sunday.

They asked me to film an announcement video for the event. 

The request was for it to be filmed sitting up. 

Which I completely understand. 

That is the image many people associate with “professional.”

And for something this big, I of course wanted to oblige.


But living with a disability, I do not always have the right support around me to sit upright on command. 

Independence looks different for me. Timing looks different for me.


So… I filmed it lying down.


Which gave me the chance to be real.

Because if there is anything my recent Forbes article taught us, is:

Professionalism can be done in any position as long as the job gets done.


It might not look conventional. 

But it is still professional. 

And it would be a waste not to share what I had filmed down below!


Tickets are still available for the Sensational Foundation Gala on Sunday.

And what makes it even better is that you can also buy a ticket for someone with a disability to attend. 

https://lnkd.in/eS_3-fxx


And as mentioned in the video, I shall be sat up for the actual talk!


While I am in Hong Kong, I also have some flexibility to connect for collaborations, sponsorships or speaking opportunities.

So if you are out there and want to explore something meaningful together… my inbox is open.


And finally, thank you Faride.

Two years ago, you told me you would get me to Hong Kong one day.

Tomorrow… you keep that promise.

Here we go.



VD: Isaac lying down on his comfortable bed looking as professional as ever. It's in a bedroom setting where he is wearing a fast and furious style shirt because again it's not what he's wearing but how the message is delivered. He is quite deadpan for the whole video because he is actually reading a script but he will be sure not to be doing that sort of style once he is in Asia. Behind him are some blinds as well as his hoist that gets him in and out of his wheelchair.

I’ll be appearing in the new BBC documentary In the Driving Seat, coming to iPlayer this Monday.

The documentary explores what the future of mobility could look like and who it’s truly for. 

It follows filmmaker and wheelchair user Chris Lynch 🎥 as he test-drives some of the most innovative mobility technology across Europe.


It also features some familiar faces, including Nick and Ayuna, whose journeys and insights add to this piece. 

Oh and Rock Climber is part of it too… one that continues to inspire and redefine what’s possible.


A huge thank you to Chris and Eamonn for inviting me to be part of something that celebrates innovation, inclusion and the people driving change.


Looking forward to watching it when it premieres on iPlayer this Monday 27th. 


In the Driving Seat:
https://lnkd.in/eD2PhuxA


ID: Chris, Ayuana and Isaac are sitting together around a light-coloured table in a bright café space. Chris, on the left, is wearing a grey t-shirt, light trousers, and a white cap, smiling toward the camera. Ayuana, in the centre, is dressed in a black one-shoulder outfit and also smiling brightly. Isaac, on the right, is seated in his red and black powered wheelchair wearing a blue shirt, smiling with a relaxed and confident expression. Three takeaway coffee cups are placed on the table. Behind them are green plants, soft natural light coming through the curtains, and colourful graffiti visible through the window. The In the Driving Seat logo appears at the top, with text at the bottom promoting the BBC documentary’s air date and time.

Chris, Ayuana, and Isaac smiling together at a café table with coffee cups, surrounded by natural light and plants, promoting the BBC documentary In the Driving Seat.

Living with a disability in the UK isn’t easy. 

Most days, it feels like navigating a system that doesn’t understand what support actually means.


Housing. Care. Work. 


Every part comes with another form, another obstacle, another explanation to repeat.

We’re told there’s support… like the Access to Work scheme, designed to help people with disabilities get or stay in employment.


But for many, it’s become another barrier.


Delays, confusion and lack of empathy have pushed people to shut down their businesses entirely.

That’s why I find it interesting hearing how things work elsewhere.


This time in Canada.


My friend Gift is part of a session called The Cost of Living for People with Disabilities: Realities & Pathways to Change on October 23 at 12:30 PM (or 5:30 PM if you are like me and live in the UK).


I don’t know what the reality is like over there… I’m too busy trying to survive what’s here.

But I’ll be tuning in to listen, if I can, between a full day of recordings for work.


The cost of living with a disability isn’t just financial.

It’s emotional. It’s physical.

It’s the energy it takes to keep fighting systems that were supposed to help.


This session will cover:

Why pay equity is access… and why disabled experts shouldn’t be expected to work for free.

The real cost of living with a disability, both when employed and unemployed.

How relationships can affect benefits and funding.

Ways to turn lived experience into real change in policy and advocacy.


If you’re curious about how other countries are navigating this, maybe tune in too.

https://luma.com/r7ynwajz


#CostOfLiving


ID: Isaac sits in his electric wheelchair on a wooden deck overlooking sailboats at Lake Windermere. The grey sky and still water set a calm but heavy mood, reflecting the feeling of trying to move forward while systems stay still. Surrounded by autumn trees and quiet boats, Isaac looks out thoughtfully… a moment that mirrors the reality of navigating life with a disability in the UK, where progress often feels like waiting for the wind to change.

Isaac in a power wheelchair gazing over sailboats on Lake Windermere surrounded by autumn trees

When Kerry asked if I’d like to do another panel on Dopamine Dressing after how well the first one went earlier this year, I thought… yeah, sure, why not.

What I didn’t think about was timing.

Because it turns out, it’s happening just two days after I get back from Hong Kong.

So, while I’ll probably be jet-lagged, tired and in some pain from what I know will be a very memorable trip…


I’m still showing up.


The last time we all shared a stage together, it went down a treat.

An honest, uplifting conversation about how what we wear can actually change how we feel.

This time, we’re bringing that energy to The Good Clothes Show in Manchester.


Whether I’m there in person or joining virtually, I’ll be there.


🗓️ Sunday 9 November, 11:00 AM.
📍 Manchester Central Convention Centre.
🎟️ Get your tickets now and come say hi (on or off screen).


ID: A bright promotional poster for The Good Clothes Show Manchester, taking place on 8–9 November 2025. The background is yellow with bold black and white text. The top section features the event logo with a bee illustration beside the words “The Good Clothes Show Manchester.” Below the title are four smiling speakers: Alex Standley, Kerry Trevett, Isaac Harvey and Lee Chambers. They are each dressed in colourful, expressive outfits that reflect the theme of dopamine dressing… I mean AI is being very generous but Isaac it's definitely not wearing something colourful, should have got the one from vogue? The lower section of the poster reads: Main Stage Sunday 09 November 11:00 AM – Creating Positive Change Through Dopamine Dressing – Manchester Central Convention Centre – Get Tickets Now! The overall tone is uplifting, stylish and full of positive energy.

Poster for The Good Clothes Show Manchester 2025 featuring speakers Alex Standley, Kerry Trevett, Isaac Harvey, and Lee Chambers, promoting a session on “Creating Positive Change Through Dopamine Dressing” at the Manchester Central Convention Centre on Sunday 9 November at 11 AM.

It started as an idea.

Solène wanted to bring a story to life.

One that spoke honestly about mental health and the moments when everything feels too heavy to carry.


That idea brought so many of us together.


Robert, who had an incredible eye for cinematography.

And Emma, who supported the vision with so much care and precision.


We filmed Still Here? across London and Romsey.

A short film about a woman ready to give up, who finds new hope through messages from the people who love her.

It’s a project made by individuals with lived experience of Borderline Personality Disorder and suicidality.


And maybe that’s why it feels so real.


We didn’t know where it would go.


But since its release, Still Here? has been selected for four film festivals, received a Certificate of Merit and won two awards, including Best International Short Film.


Now, after all that, it’s finally available for everyone to watch.


A small film that carries a big message… hope, connection and what it means to still be here.


🎬 Watch Still Here?:
https://lnkd.in/eW4QBcwa 



ID: A monochrome promotional poster for the short film Still Here?. On the left side, a close-up of Solène’s face is shown in soft focus with her eyes closed, expressing deep reflection. The right side features the film’s title in bold white text reading “Still Here?” followed by the tagline “In the darkest moments, hope calls.” Above the title are four film festival laurels, showcasing selections and awards. Below the title are the names “Solène Anglaret,” “Robert Stanley Crampton,” and “Isaac Harvey.” The bottom section lists the film’s credits, including cast, crew, and production details, with a textured torn-paper effect separating the sections.

Poster for the award-winning short film Still Here?, showing a close-up of a woman with her eyes closed beside the title “Still Here? In the darkest moments, hope calls.” 

#AD: It is funny how a simple train journey can feel like a milestone.

But this one did.

Because it brought two very different travellers together.


Nick loves driving.

The motorway. The control. 

The feeling that his own hands on the wheel makes everything more reliable.


I am the opposite.

Give me trains any day.

The freedom. The ease. The quickness.


And thanks to the Passenger Assistance app I have been travelling this way for years with far more confidence as a person with a disability.

So, taking Nick on his first ever train ride in a wheelchair felt like a swap of comfort zones.


He trusted me. I trusted the app. 


He still prefers the roads and I do not think I changed his mind entirely but I could see the possibilities land in real time the moment he realised that trains can be an accessible option too.


Just to be clear the app is not the only way to book support.

You can still arrange assistance directly with rail companies or turn up and go.

But on the national rail network booking ahead gives you the best chance of smooth help at both ends of the journey.


A huge thank you to Emma, Mary, Linda and Jenny for giving us the chance to showcase this from Transreport.  


The full video is now live on YouTube.

https://lnkd.in/e2TV66gT 


VD: Nick and Isaac, two friends who use wheelchairs, as they relax indoors and decide on a spontaneous trip to London. Nick, wearing an orange hoodie, chats excitedly about having the whole day free, while Isaac, in a blue t-shirt, looks up thoughtfully before suggesting they go to London… prompting Nick to joke that he’ll need to book passenger assistance since he can’t remember how. The scene cuts to a phone screen showing a train booking from Milton Keynes Central to London Euston with accessibility options selected, followed by a confirmation message. Isaac then gets ready, now in a graphic tee, as they plan to grab their wheelchairs and head to the station. The video ends with a message inviting viewers to watch their full journey with Passenger Assistance on YouTube.

Growing up, I never saw someone like me in advertising.

I kept waiting for that moment where I would finally feel included.

These days, most of the adverts I actually see are on social media.

I spend a lot of time online, and that is where I connect most with people who have lived experience like mine.

Every so often, a brand will get disability representation right, and I feel that spark of recognition.


It reminds me that this is possible.

That we belong here too.


There are already organisations out there doing incredible work.

Telling real stories.

Bringing disabled people into the spotlight with honesty and creativity.

Those are the campaigns that deserve to be celebrated.


That is exactly why the Valuable 500 Nothing Without Us Awards exist.


To recognise the work leading the way today.

And the people behind it who refuse to let voices from the disability community be ignored.


So, if you have seen a campaign that made you think yes, this feels like real life… or if you are someone pushing for better representation in the work you create


Please consider entering.


Entries are free. It does not take long.

And the awards ceremony will take place this December in Tokyo at SYNC25.


Submissions close this Friday.


Submit here or share this with someone who should: 

https://lnkd.in/eE9xhykX


Unfortunately, I will not be there in person which is a shame.

With me heading off to Hong Kong tomorrow, it would have been amazing to explore more of Asia and visit Tokyo too.

But the funding is not there.


Still, being part of this journey matters just as much.

Annual Halloween skate 2025!

We bought the spookiness to the London streets last weekend.

And Jonathan once again captured our bad sides :)

🫢“What big wheels you have, Grandma!”

🥸“It’s all the better to skate with you my dear Wally…!”

Well, not if Ms. Pac-Man gets there first…. Here’s some of the tricks and treats from last weekend’s Halloween Skate!

#LondonStreetSkates #HalloweenSkate
#WheelsAndWheelchairs

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