Disabled pupils and students are being asked to give their views on the best ways of enforcing new educational rights which come into force next year.

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has started a four month consultation on a Code of Practice for the new Special Educational Needs and Disability Act.

The Code of Practice will form the basis of legislation being introduced in September 2002 which will give disabled children the right to be educated in a mainstream school.

The DRC is calling on disabled pupils and students to contact them on how its draft Code of Practice would best work in the classroom and lecture theatre.

At the launch of the consultation, DRC Chairman Bert Massie said: "It's vital we hear from disabled pupils and students on the practical ways to implement these very important new rights.

"Now is the time for disabled people to influence the Code - we want to learn from their own experiences."

Until now, disabled children and students have not had the legal right to education in mainstream schools, colleges and universities.