Young disabled people will benefit from seeing their peers talking frankly about themselves and revealing their membership, not only of the disabled constituency, but of the all-important youth culture too.

That's My Life aims to open up areas for reflection, discussion and action for both staff and pupils. The ideas form a thought-provoking series that acts as a springboard for follow-up work.

Each contributor to this series was given a camera to take photos of things they felt really important to their lives, to record those things most dear to them as a perspective on how they feel about the world. Some of the photos were used in the films as 'stills'.

Programme 1: Carl
Carl has been blind since he was very young. He is very keen to be independent and is constantly exploring ways to make this happen. Schoolmates Paul and Jonathan often play cards, usually poker, with Carl. They use Carl's set of Braille cards. They are supportive and don't find the fact that they have a blind friend at all odd or different.

Carl used his disposable camera to take the photos, helped by his family and friends.

Carl is into music and in his last year at school. He has his own rock/reggae/funk band called 'The Orx' in which he sings and plays the guitar. The band compose their own songs, one of which is featured in the film.

His ambition? To train to be a teacher, possibly of languages. He has sought out a role model, a language teacher who is also blind.

Programme 2: Stacey
Stacey is very proud of her independence. She gets out and about by herself all the time although she does love to go shopping with her friends. Sometimes she finds other people's reactions to her impairment, often when she is out alone, patronising and upsetting. Stacey has cerebral palsy (CP), which causes a disorder of movement and posture because part of the brain is not working properly or has not developed as it should. It is not a disease or illness and it is non-progressive. No two people with CP are the same. Movement difficulties can vary from the barely noticeable to the severe.

Programme 3: Christopher
Christopher does lots of activities including Boys' Brigade and riding lessons. He was proud to be picked to do the office duties at school, on the reception desk and taking messages. He has Asperger's syndrome, which is seen, medically, as a learning disability. Christopher is at the 'mild' end of the spectrum. Just after filming, Christopher was extremely successful in his SATs.

Christopher has experienced a lot of bullying. He was seen by some of his peers as someone different and therefore 'picked on'. He reflects on bullying and empowers himself by writing an open letter to bullies everywhere.

Programme 4: Natalie
Natalie is shy. She is a great dancer and wants to be a chef. She is deeply involved in lots of activities such as dancing and drama, belongs to a youth club and is a Girl Guide. Natalie is a quiet, happy and positive child with a strong, caring family but she has been treated badly by bullies in the past. 'Circles of Friends' is continuing to be of great help to her by providing a great deal of support within her school. Natalie's circle of friends ensures that she isn't taken advantage of or bullied in any way. They, too, benefit from the circle.

Natalie has Down's Syndrome which is a learning disability.

Programme 5: Elliott
Elliott uses a personal assistant (PA) sometimes whilst indoors or out and about. For Elliott this can be a family member or a friend. In the film Elliott has his older brother, Marlon, acting as his PA. Elliott is very interested in style and fashion. Using a wheelchair is a style statement as well as a means of transport.

Like Stacey, Elliott has cerebral palsy. Elliott went to a mainstream school and found that some of his peers were 'over helpful'.