The Ouch! guide to being on TV
The disabled women featured in Britain's Missing Top Model are just the start. We want to see more disabled people on television - and not just how we so often see them: climbing mountains, 'overcoming challenges' or being ever so inspiring. We really want to see the creativity, humour and talent that we know is out there.
As the team behind the BBC's disability website, Ouch!, we reckon we've got a pretty good idea of what all you disabled BBC Three viewers need to do to get your faces on screen. Here's our essential guide to making a Be on TV clip that is going to get you noticed!
1. BBC Three wants to make a big noise about disability this summer, so what's the best response that we, as disabled people, can offer? Make an even bigger noise back! This is an absolutely great chance to be on the box, so be sure to make the most of it.
2. Throughout July, there are going to be eight disabled babes limping, wheeling and strutting their stuff up and down the catwalk, as well as putting themselves and their impairments in front of more fashion photographers than you've had hot dinners. Take a leaf out of their books: you need to be as bold, brash and upfront about yourself and your disability as they are.
3. Think about whether there's a disability message you'd like to get across in your clip. Do you want to tell the viewers something about yourself as a disabled person? If so, there's a good chance that you'll be even more likely to get your bid for telly fame noticed amongst the flood of Be on TV clips that BBC Three receive on a daily basis.
4. Remember, though, that you've only got a VERY short time to make an impression: your clip should last no longer than 15 seconds if you're doing a link, 45 seconds if you're sharing your views. So use your talent, humour, personality - and yes, your disability - to the max!
