Lights, Camera, Access!

From a Humble Dream to a New Reality
www.lightscameraaccess.ca

As an able-bodied actor, work opportunities were ample for Leesa Levinson, but when her mobility became increasingly challenged due to multiple sclerosis, the number of opportunities declined sharply. Something needed to be done—not just for Levinson, but for other talent with disabilities in the industry.

So, Levinson founded Lights, Camera, Access! (LCA!), a non-profit, charitable organization with a mandate to advance the careers of people with disabilities in the arts, entertainment and new media industries.

As a member of ACTRA Toronto, Levinson served as a tireless advocate for the organization’s members with disabilities, raising issues of accessibility and employability. Levinson has served on several boards and committees, including The Abilities Arts Festival, Women in Film and Television Toronto, The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and the Ontario Media Development Corporation.

LCA! continues to build strategic partnerships and gather allies and supporters. “We certainly believe in LCA! and its potential to help people with disabilities get hired in the entertainment industry,” says Bill McQueen, producer at Fireweed Media Productions Inc. and an LCA! ally.

The team at LCA! is currently implementing Bridging the Gap to Access and Employment in the Entertainment and Media Industries for People with Disabilities. This project, a major e-learning initiative, will allow talent with disabilities access to web-based workshops, forums and lectures that speak to how they can thrive in an industry that still has many obstacles for people with disabilities.

“This project will develop fully accessible online tools, including an integrated content and learning management system and social networking tools,” says Laurie McArthur, project manager for Bridging the Gap. “These tools will facilitate LCA!’s objectives: knowledge sharing, overcoming communication barriers and education in the community.”

The LCA! web portal is currently being transformed into a vibrant social networking community where talent with disabilities can come together to compare and share creative notes and bridge new professional opportunities. Here, our members will be able to post their profiles, headshots, resumés, special talents and professional credits in a safe and supportive environment. We are currently evaluating the overall accessibility of our website in an effort to foster a more welcoming and user-friendly environment. Come visit us at lightscameraaccess.ca and let us know how we can make our site even better.

“Our mission is to offer people with disabilities an opportunity to develop and hone skills professionally while encouraging creativity,” says Levinson, founder and, now, executive director of LCA! “We also hope to include many other services that are relevant to our stakeholders and other interested parties.”

LCA! is pleased to announce the launch of our very first public service announcement (PSA) at this spring’s People in Motion Show 2010. The PSA aims to show Canadian talent with disabilities as the professionals that they are. Increasing their visibility in screen-based media will help to change negative stereotypes.

“It was a privilege to work with LCA!,” says Brigitte Kingsley, co-producer of the PSA. “Leesa is an extremely intelligent and driven woman who is opening doors and minds in the film and television industry. We hope this encourages more people with disabilities to follow and achieve their dreams.”

What else is on the horizon? LCA! will act as a champion in the fight for a barrier-free Ontario. Our initiatives are especially timely now with the planned implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act by 2025. The act calls on the business community, the public and the not-for-profit sector to develop, implement and enforce mandatory accessibility standards in many important areas of life. Stay tuned!

If you have a disability and are interested in getting into the entertainment industry, we would love to include you in LCA! For more information, visit lightscameraaccess.ca, or call 416-363-9948.