Episodes

Joyce welcomes Tim Creagan, Senior Accessibility Specialist-Information Technology, with the U.S. Access Board. The Access Board is an independent federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the board is now a leading source of information on accessible design. The Access Board develops and maintains design ...

Joyce welcomes Lisa Krause, manager, Corporate Systems for HM Health Solutions. and Lonie Haynes, vice president Diversity and Inclusion for Highmark Health. Both guests will discuss the Careers2B Program, a unique collaboration requiring participation by three distinct entities, the partnership coordinator, the sponsor company, and the hiring company. Bender Consulting serves as the partnership coordinator of the Careers2B Program. Bender recruits, screens, directs, and manages Careers2B progra...

Joyce welcomes Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living -NCIL-. The National Council on Independent Living is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: Centers for Independent Living -CILs-, Statewide Independent Living Councils -SILCs-, individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advoc...

Joyce welcomes Charlie LaVallee, chief executive officer, and Mike Schneck, board member, of Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh. Variety's programs and services are designed to empower children with disabilities by providing them with the equipment and experiences they need to gain mobility, confidence, and independence. The guests will discuss this year’s Variety Gala, to be held Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA. The annual event raises funds t...

Joyce’s honored guest will be Vivek Viswanathan policy advisor on the staff of Hillary for America, and has been with the campaign since it launched in the spring of 2015. Since joining Hillary for America, he has worked closely on policies that matter for Americans with disabilities. He will help Joyce’s listeners understand the campaign’s vision for Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, Executive Director of the US Business Leadership Network® -USBLN-®. She will discuss the 2016 USBLN® Conference September 19-22, 2016 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Orlando, FL.

Joyce welcomes Josh Christianson, project director, for Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology -PEAT-. PEAT is multi-faceted initiative to foster collaboration and action around accessible technology in the workplace. PEAT works to help employers -IT companies- understand why it pays to build and buy accessible technology and how to go about doing so. Josh will explain his role with PEAT and the mission in depth.

Joyce welcomes Sam Estes, Co-chair of the Athletes vs. Epilepsy Initiative, a nationwide program for athletes, coaches, volunteers, and fans to raise awareness and funds for the Epilepsy Foundation’s mission to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. The program will also include Jerry Kill, Associate Athletic Director Kansas State University, Jeff Klauk, Professional Golfer, and Chanda Gunn, Ice ...

Joyce welcomes Janice L. Lehrer-Stein, Member of the National Council on Disability -NCD- to the show. NCD is an independent federal agency that advices the President, Congress and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices and procedures that affect people with disabilities. Ms. Lehrer-Stein will discuss her role as a member of NCD and share how her personal journey with disability led her to become an advocate for all Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the show.

Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato, Executive Director of The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). AUCD is a membership organization that supports and promotes a national network of university-based interdisciplinary programs. Members consist of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Programs, and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRC). These programs serve and are ...

In honor of the 26th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act this month, Joyce welcomes Judith Heumann, an internationally recognized leader in the disability community and a lifelong civil rights advocate.

Joyce welcomes Curtis L. Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network the nation’s largest non-governmental enforcer of disability rights

Joyce welcomes Joanne Lara, MA Adjunct Faculty at National University, and founder of Autism Movement Therapy (AMT). Ms. Laura who is also a professional dancer,has dedicated herself to improving the lives of individuals with autism through movement and music. Her advocacy has led to founding the nonprofit organization Autism Movement Therapy® based in Los Angeles, California. Th e organization has received two Autism Speaks grants, Ms. Laura will discuss the mission of Autism Movement Therapy a...

Joyce welcomes Managing Director of Resource Development at American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS). Curtis Ramsey-Lucas provides oversight for the development of Missional Life and Leadership Resources. He assists the Associate Executive Director in providing oversight and supervision to seven executive staff members who serve as national coordinators for Discipleship Resource Development; Justice for Children/Christian Center Relations; Evangelism and New Church Planting; Refugee Reset...

Joyce welcomes Michael Murray, chief operating officer, for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to the show. The AAPD is the nation's largest cross-disability organization. It promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Members of AAPD include people with disabilities and their family members, friends, and supporters. Mr. Murray will discuss his plans for the organization since becoming chief op...

Joyce welcomes Mary Esther Van Shura, Director of Community Affairs with the Allegheny County Office of the Chief Executive and Heather Sedlacko, Director of Programs for Seniors and People with Disabilities for the United Way of Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh PA. The guests will discuss their roles in the respective organizations and the partnership between the United Way and the Office of the Chief Executive on two specific initiatives--the 21& Able Program and the Career Transition Project. ...

Joyce welcomes Steven Van Wyk, executive vice-president and head of technology and operations, with The PNC Financial Services Group, to the show. Mr. Van Wyk will discuss the commitment at PNC from the top management, and throughout the organization to hire people with disabilities to enhance their workforce. He will also share his background in Denmark and explain its views on employing people with disabilities and how that is different from the United States.

Joyce welcomes Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President of RespectAbility USA. RespectAbility USA is a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream. Ms. Mizrahi works regularly with disability organizations, national, state and local policy leaders, workforce development professionals, media, employers, philanthropists, celebrities and faith-based organizations to expand opportunities for people with disabilities. The show will discuss the mission of...

Joyce welcomes Katya Hill, director of the AAC Institute. Established in 2000, the AAC Institute is a resource for all who are interested in enhancing the communication of people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Organized as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization, the AAC Institute offers information and provides services worldwide. The AAC Institute promotes the goals of AAC, the AAC Rules of Commitment, and evidence-based AAC clinical practice. This missi...

Joyce welcomes Bob Kafka, national organizer, and ADAPT co-director, Institute for Disability Access. ADAPT is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom. Mr. Kafka will discuss the advocacy of ADAPT in-depth.

Joyce welcomes Wynne Fedele, director of Development and Nancy Mimless, instructor, from the Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh. They will be discussing the New Horizon Program with the CLO, New Horizons, a musical theater training program for children and adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities, offers students the opportunity to take center stage in fun-filled acting, dance and vocal classes — each in one weeknight or weekend day. The program is fueled by the idea that there is no ...

Joyce welcomes Dan McCoy, 2014 United States Paralympic Gold Medalist for the Sled Hockey Team to the show. Dan will discuss his lifelong love for the sport and how he took that commitment to a new level to reach his goal to win the Gold Medal in 2014. He will share how reaching his goals has improved his confidence and impacted his life.

Joyce welcomes former Pittsburgh Steelers all-pro linebacker, Robin Cole to the show. Mr. Cole is the founder of the Obediah Cole Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to prostate cancer education, awareness, and early detection. Mr. Cole will discuss his journey with the disease, his survival, and the mission of this organization in depth.