Toronto – January 17, 2012
The upcoming year promises to be an eventful year for Lights, Camera, Access! (LCA!) The team at LCA! is working hard to move its message out to a greater audience through a series of public service announcements, print ads, digital media, commercials as well as well as live performances. Currently, people with disabilities (PWD) are an invisible presence in the Canadian media. Through inclusive workshops, a casting catalogue of our members and hands-on involvement, LCA! is adjusting this picture. LCA! is a network of services to advance the presence and participation of persons with disabilities in the entertainment, arts and digital media industries.
Leesa Levinson is the Founder and Executive Director of Lights, Camera, Access!, a non-profit organization with charitable status. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 16, Leesa continued to pursue acting and academics. Leesa is a board member for the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and is a public adjudicator with the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC). Leesa is a former board member of WIFT-T (Women in Film and Television-Toronto), the Abilities Arts Festival and the Scarborough Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
Leesa was awarded the 2011 Bob Marley Day Award. It recognizes individuals and organizations that play a leadership role in building bridges with our diverse communities. She has also been involved in several coalitions working towards the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the arts/media.
Leesa suffered cardiac arrests due to a massive blood clot on November 14, 2011. Leesa is a fighter with determination, and a strong heart and she has managed to pull through and is well on her way to recovering. While on her road to recovery, Dean Ifill will be the “point of contact” for LCA!
“I’m excited take on this new role and within LCA!,” says Dean. “I’m looking forward to working with our team to continue to make LCA! a success.”
Laurence Dean brings a reputation and aptitude that has steadily grown from an actor working with multiple internationally recognized award winning television, theatre, and film productions to becoming a venerated global producer. Dean’s unique strength is in his ability to bring together professionals with raw unknown talent to create still standing programs with Canadian charitable organizations such as The Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs of Canada. Dean’s amalgamation of skills helps to nourish a standard of excellence among arts based organizations.
Leesa sends her appreciation for your warm words of support during her recovery and rehabilitation process and asks in lieu gifts or cards please contribute to Lights, Camera, Access!. Any donations over $20 would receive a tax receipt for the charitable donation.
As part of its support services, LCA! offers mentorship/internships; casting liaison service for directors, producers, and script writers; catalogue & database referrals to alert talented performers about opportunities; online workshops & tutorials and consulting services specifically for the media industry in Ontario to meet the provincially legislated AODA standards.
For more information on Lights, Camera, Access! please visit http://www.lightscameraaccess.ca/
Follow Lights, Camera, Access! on Twitter: @lca_canada
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Available for interviews:
Laurence Dean
For media inquiries please contact:
Pennant Media Group
Kevin Pennant [email protected]
Toronto 416.596.2978
Los Angeles 818.748.7517
