TEENAGERS with disabilities are being given the chance to air their views on local education and leisure opportunities.

An appeal has gone out to disabled 14 to 18-year-olds across St Helens to join a group which will meet regularly to produce a report revealing what it's like to be a disabled young person living in the town. It is hoped this will lead the way for a young person's consultation programme across the borough.

The group is being organised by Barnardo's Disability Support Worker, Ken Williams, in conjunction with Laura Bodnar, from the Coalition of Disabled People, and Children's Rights Co-ordinator, Liz Dodson. This is part of the Government's Quality Protects initiative. Ken explained: "We need to recruit about eight young people with disabilities aged between 14 and 18 to join a group which will meet fortnightly for 10 sessions. The group will produce a report provisionally called 'What it's Like for Me.' This will not be a formal report, but include poems, stories, drawings -- anything that can describe what it's like to be a disabled young person growing up in St Helens. They will be particularly looking at education and leisure opportunities."

Young people will be paid £3 per hour for their participation in the group, which will meet at local youth centres. Training will also be provided for the young people, volunteers and workers involved. Funding for the programme has come from the Health Action Zone initiative.

Ken added: "We will be showing this report to many of the local service providers and hope the report will help raise awareness about children's rights and influence policy in the borough."

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Ken Williams on 01744 731113.