[Kaz]

From the Sunday People online:

WHEELCHAIR WANNABE FOR BIG BRO

A DISABLED contestant is being lined up for Big Brother.

Channel 4 chiefs are whittling down the last 50 wannabes to a final 10 for the third series of the reality show, which starts on May 24.

An insider said: "One of the applicants who made it through the latter stages is in a wheelchair.

"We had disabled people last year but they didn't make it through. It is much closer this time round.

"If a contestant is deemed interesting enough we will pick them. Disability is not an issue for us."

The Disability Rights Commission campaign group welcomed the move. Spokesman Will Dingli said: "It's a big step forward. People are being seen as people, not just disabled."

But he added: "Whatever happens, viewers shouldn't give this person the sympathy vote."

If there is a wheelchair-bound house-mate tasks and challenges will have to be adapted for him and extras will be added to the house.

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OK, it is from the Sunday People (not the most reliable of the tabloids!) and the information comes from our old friend the 'insider' ...............

........ but what do you think about a wheelchair-bound housemate featuring in BB3?

[splodge0]

I'm just not sure about this. You have to pass a medical to drive an HGV. I have an orange badge ( not telling you why!!) and I wouldn't expect to be included if I'm not "fit for the purpose" HGV or BB3.

Nothing to do with PC......... just not practical!!
:c olour:

[kaphc]

This would be interesting - in principle I would be in favour of the house being all-inclusive, but as sploge0 says, the practicalities could be difficult in a house that is not all that big when it comes to it.

If it happens, I would very much like to see how the public perceive it, I hope they would judge the person on merit and for who they are, not for the fact they are in a wheelchair.

[Romantic Old Bird]

That is the issue isn't it?

I am sure the housemate would want to be treated equitably, but how would you feel about nominating someone with a disability for possible eviction?

Imagine they were really annoying or downright obnoxious? People would be wary of appearing un-pc and nasty.

Now I know most people with some sort of disability would be horrified to consider that, but it's true.

Actually, I think it would depend very much on the mix of personalities in the house, and the scale of the disability.

Sensitive issue though, undoubtedly.

In principle I think it's fine, as long as the person is picked on merit.

Interesting. Let's wait and see.

[BigSister]

It is intresting isnt in ROB

If a disabled person does get into BB3 then the house will have to be disabled friendly eg ramps etc

also they will have to be included into the tasks

Lets wait and see

[Kaz]

It seems a little strange to me that there's news of a potentially disabled contestant now, when the latest we heard about the new house was that the evicted housemates would be leaving by a staircase leading from the diary room.

In so far as the tasks are concerned - the fire task, learning 15 facts about each other, world records, and the 'getting to know you' tasks would have been perfectly suitable for a disabled contestant. The others - dance task, drum kit task and playground task definitely would not.

It would require a lot of though on Big Brother's part to come up with a complete range of tasks suitable for a disabled contestant, but which would also stretch the other contestants physically as well.

............... I guess time will tell!

[mcginn]

there going to be a stair case pu maybe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!