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WANTED: DISABLED STUDENT DIARISTS FOR ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ WEBSITE

From: /ouch

Are you disabled? About to start university for the first time? if so, we want to hear from you.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's disability website 'Ouch!' is planning a feature called Disabled Student Diaries. We want to follow 3 disabled students in their first few weeks at university, focusing on everything from access to lectures and campus, through to how you're getting on living independently away from home and your new social life.

We will expect our chosen students to write a diary for us for the first 4 weeks at uni plus some other 'stuff' including a little filming before you go to uni and a lovely care package the contents of which are secret - sssh.

We're keen to work with you so we don't disrupt your life too much at this crucial time. We will be offering some payment as well as other potentially interesting opportunities.

How do I get involved?

Email us now: ouch@bbc.co.uk ... and tell us a bit about you.

When mailing us, give answers to as many of the following questions as possible, to help us get to know you:

* Name:

* Age:

* Where do you live:

* Your mobile phone number?
(or details of the best way to contact you if you don't' do phones)

* What university are you attending:

* What course?

* Details about your disability and access requirements at university:

* What are you most looking forward to from your university experience?

* Your interests and anything you think we'd like to know:

* What would your friends say about you if we asked them?

* What job do you hope to get after uni?

And if you have a social networking page or website, give us the address.

If you have any queries about our project, we're quite friendly so just drop us a mail ouch@bbc.co.uk or call on 020 8752 4427

As anyone anxiously biting their nails right now will know, the 'A' Level results come out tomorrow. If you are disabled and suddenly find yourself dealing with the clearing process, don't worry, there is specific, targeted help out there for you in the form of an emergency clearing helpline.

Clearing is used by applicants who have not managed to secure a place at university or college for the current year, a system that is criticised by , a group of student campaigners, who say it fails to leave disabled students enough time to find a course and research whether the university will provide adequate facilities. 

Instead of just complaining, Trailblazers have decided to do something to help their fellow disabled students by organising an emergency clearing hotline. The hotline is being operated in conjunction with a new report, , published by the Trailblazers earlier
in the week, showing that disabled students are being penalised when choosing a university due to a lack of room for hired carers and access to shared
spaces, such as libraries and cafes. 

By calling freephone 0800 652 6352,on Thursday 20 August from 12-3pm, or emailing trailblazers@muscular-distrophy.org you can receive advice and support in choosing a university which best suits your needs.

From all the Ouch! team, best of luck for tomorrow.