How often have you seen a person with a visible disability playing a leading role in a movie or TV show? In the film and media business, where image is at the heart of the industry, attitudes and perceptions often keep people with disabilities from serious consideration in the casting process.

Leesa Levinson discovered this first hand as she came to rely more and more on assistive devices, including a wheelchair, during her career. Leesa has been an actor for more than 15 years, but she found that as her multiple sclerosis progressed, her opportunities decreased. That's why she created Lights, Camera, Access! (LCA!), a charitable organization that links actors and performers with disabilities to jobs in the industry.

Since starting the organization, Levinson says she definitely sees increased opportunities in Toronto. "The world is different for people with disabilities because they face a lot of barriers — attitudinal and physical. When there's a place for them to get involved like Lights, Camera, Access!, they can share ideas and be creative, and employers can discover their talent," she says.

Finding the perfect actor for a role is challenging enough. And Bobby Del Rio, who works as a director, producer and actor, says that when traditional casting models neglect talent because the actor has a disability, it limits their chances of finding the right person for the job.

"There's often a misperception by producers. They see things in a certain way and don't see beyond it, and this compromises people's potential," says Del Rio. Del Rio met Levinson while producing a short film. He says that although the director wasn't look ing for someone in a wheelchair, when he met Levinson, he hired her.

Del Rio notes that his experience on that film opened his eyes to the hidden talent available if producers could just change their attitudes. "In an industry where you can make people fly, with some inventive thinking, anything is possible. Just because the actor has a disability doesn't mean they have to portray someone with a disability," he says. "If it's all an illusion anyway, there are no rules. So we can create any type of role we choose for people of any ability."

Part of Levinson's vision is to connect talent with potential employers by providing resources for both. On their newly launched website, www.lightscameraaccess.com , the organization provides e-learning courses and social networking opportunities. It features databases of employer and actor profiles, job postings and other resources. The website is accessible to screen readers and people who use other assistive technologies.

Lights, Camera, Access! is providing many people with disabilities the resources and help to find work in the industry. Levinson says, "I feel privileged and excited to start an organization like this. LCA! has been successful in referring several people with various disabilities of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to media projects including TV, radio, documentary and print."

The film and media industry is supposed to reflect everybody in our community. Thanks to Levinson, people of all abilities have the chance to be part of the picture.