I've been working as a presenter/reporter on the ITV programme "That's Esther" with Esther Rantzen for the past three years, but this year I'm doing something completely different on the show.

A strand called "Lara's Life" has been introduced which consists of short documentaries about me and the things I get up to. As I always write about what I do in this column, these mini-docs will be like the film of the book except there will be no sanitising of the original ending to please US audiences and they won't hire some able-bodied actress (who once broke her leg and spent a month on crutches) to play me.

The first "Lara's Life"* shows me trying to break into the acting profession; taking my first acting class, going up for a Levi's casting, meeting my agent and generally luvvying it up.

I think these short films will entertain disabled people and "inspire" able-bodied people.

As many of you will know, simply seeing a disabled person out in public seems to be enough to move most able-bodied people to tears of awe. I often get a pat on the back or an encouraging word from the older generations, who haven't been scared into silence by the fetters of political correctness, simply for being in my local supermarket.

It makes me feel like I should really be doing something to earn their wonderment; maybe a comedy routine or a card trick. But I don't. That's the problem with disability; you become complacent. When you can impress people just by leaving the house, you get lazy.

What you won't see in this first acting edition of "Lara's Life" is me at a casting for BBC2's "The Office". A few months ago I went up for a part in the hilarious spoof documentary, but I didn't want to write about it here in case I jinxed it.

"The Office" and "Sex and the City" are my favourite programmes so I was excessively over-excited about the prospect of not only going up for a proper acting job with actual words to say, but one that was in a quality programme.

Stirring up offence and political incorrectness alongside Brent and co., in that soulless Swindon stationer is in my view, an acting experience only to be topped by sharing explicit details of saucy shenanigans with Carrie and pals in a New York Cafe.

I was beside myself with excitement when I went to the Beeb for the casting. I put on my best "Office" outfit; grey trousers, lilac top, hair in a low ponytail, make-up in pastel shades.

My first read through was with Ash, the producer, who's also a wheelchair user. Then, I got a re-call and went back to read with Ricky Gervais who stars in and co-writes the show. As only two of us were re-called for the part, things were looking very hopeful. I was thrilled to meet Ricky because I'd wanted to give him a pat on the back or an encouraging word since seeing him in full and glorious irreverence on "The Eleven O'clock Show" a couple of years ago.

I thought the re-call went very well, I thought I was good; Ricky laughed when I read my lines and made positive comments about my performance and I managed not to crack up. After weeks of waiting with "it's not a definite 'no'", I didn't get the part, but, as I am on my spiritual path I am fine with this. No, really, I am.

Actually, I was a bit disappointed.

O.K, I was devastated, but what's much more important than my feelings is that "The Office" team have written in a disabled character and then cast a disabled actress in the role. So, whoever else got the part, I will watch the programme while fighting back tears of envy, but at least I'll know they haven't just got an able-bodied actress (who's had several experiences of toe stubbing) and stuck them in a wheelchair.

It should be obvious to use disabled actors for disabled roles but it isn't and it makes me absolutely furious; I can literally feel my blood boiling when I think about how disgustingly immoral programme makers are to even consider casting able-bodied actors in roles that could be played by disabled talent.

BBC1's "All About Me" may not be a great example of comedy genius but at least they cast a disabled actor, unlike Channel 4's new sitcom "The Book Group" who have cast an able-bodied actor as a wheelchair-user. I was speechless with incredulity when I discovered this.

After further investigation, I found that the writer of "The Book Group" had penned the role of the wheelchair-user specifically for that actor, who had once used a wheelchair after an accident, so actually, in this instance, no one else able-bodied or disabled could have played the part.

However, that doesn't appease me because Channel 4 always seem to have a "reason" why they haven't cast a disabled actor in a role; I point again (with a very weary finger) to Brookie and Hollyoaks.

"Oh, but those characters became disabled so they couldn't have been played by disabled actors!" comes the tired chant of the writers, producers and commissioning editors.

This is not a reason; this is an excuse.

The distinct disinterest shown by programme makers when it comes to representing disability is a bitter reminder of exactly how low disabled people are on the social, political and economic agenda. How are we ever going to be "seen" if even when we are "seen" it's really just an able-bodied impostor?

I propose we join forces and take action. TV channel execs take viewers' complaints very seriously, so, if you feel as I do; that it is not right or in any way excusable to use able-bodied actors in disabled roles, or if you are frustrated by the lack of disabled people on TV, please show your feelings by writing/phoning etc. in to the channel.

For Channel 4, your comments can be made by writing to: Viewers' Enquiries, 124 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2TX, or e-mailing: viewerenquiries@channel4.co.uk or calling: 0207 306 8333 or faxing: 0207 306 8347 or minicoming: 0207 306 8691

* "Lara's Life" will be on "That's Esther", Sun May 19th @ 2P.M, ITV.