Episodes

To examine the history and impact of the ADA, Joyce welcomes acclaimed disability scholar and author, Lennard J. Davis to the show. Davis will discuss his book, Enabling Acts: The Hidden Story of How the Americans With Disabilities Act Gave the Largest US Minority Its Rights. The book is the first significant book on the history and impact of the ADA - the eyes on the prize moment for disability rights. This is the first riveting account, behind-the-scenes and on-the-ground narrative of how a ba...

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. These programs serve and are located in every U.S. state and territory and are all part of universities or medical centers. They serve as a bridge between the university and the community, bringing together the resources of both to achieve meaningful change....

Joyce welcomes The Honorable, Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the show. As we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, Mr. Coelho will reflect on the passage of the landmark legislation, and share his thoughts on the work that still needs to be done to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

Joyce’s honored guest is former Senator, Tom Harkin (D-IA). As we prepare to celebrate on July 26, 2015 the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Senator will discuss the journey to get the legislation passed, its importance, and how critical it is to continue advocating for the independence and employment of all people with disabilities.

Joyce’s honored guest is Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. Senator Kennedy became a member of the 12th district of the Connecticut State Senate on January 7, 2015. Among the topics Senator Kennedy will discuss will be his distinguished career, his reflections on the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and what it means for the country, and all people with disabilities. In addition, he will discuss his commitment to increase the employment of Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes David Holmberg, president and chief executive officer of Highmark Health to the show. Highmark Health is a diversified health and wellness enterprise based in Pittsburgh, PA that serves an estimated 35 million people nationwide. As an insurer-led integrated delivery network, Highmark Health is committed to improving the total health care experience for members, patients and consumers in a rapidly changing health care landscape. During the show, Mr. Holmberg will discuss this commi...

Joyce welcomes Patricia A. Shiu, director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs at the U.S. Department of Labor. She leads a staff of nearly 800 men and women around the country who are dedicated to protecting workers, promoting diversity and enforcing the law. Over the years, OFCCP’s authority has been expanded by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. She will be discussing and giving an update on the progress of the Ob...

Joyce welcomes Audrey Russo, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Discussed on the show will be the mission of this organization, as well as the ways in which the group gets involved in the business community to foster and encourage the hiring of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Sara Hart Weir, president of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Under Weir’s leadership, since December

Joyce welcomes Joan Stein, president and CEO of Stein Consulting LLC. Joan’s company works with its clients to find answers, options and opportunities. Focusing on ADA compliance, event planning and operations and fund development, the company provides consulting services to employers and can assist with compliance with newly-implemented OFCCP regulations. It also provides litigation support to companies faced with ADA litigation. Ms. Stein will discuss the company mission in depth.

Joyce welcomes Rebecca Cokely, executive director of the National Council on Disability (NCD). The Council promotes policies, programs, practices and procedures that further the objectives of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to ensure that Americans with disabilities have the same level of access to civic, social and economic participation as their non-disabled friends, family members and peers. NCD has 15 Presidentially-appointed Council members who live across the nation, and ...

Joyce welcomes Jessi Ryan, manager of education and community programs for the Pittsburgh Symphony. For the first 5 minutes of the show, Ms. Ryan will be promoting a symphony concert, Saturday, June 27, 2015. Led by resident conductor, Lawrence Loh, “Celebrate Pittsburgh” is designed for patrons of all ages with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities and other disabilities to enjoy an orchestra performance in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Monitors will provide open captioning ...

Joyce welcomes disability rights leader, Madonna Long to the show. Joyce and Madonna will engage in a conversation about Ms. Cheryl Sensenbrenner, an advocate who has fought and keeps fighting for disability rights for all Americans with disabilities. This show is a tribute to her tireless efforts for all Americans with disabilities. During the show, many of her friends and colleagues in the disability rights community will pay tribute to the accomplishments of this disability rights leader.

Joyce welcomes back, Kevin Bales, world renowned author, expert on modern slavery, and co-founder of Free the Slaves, the U.S. organization of Anti-Slavery International (the world's oldest human rights organization). Mr. Bales will discuss the latest information in modern slavery and what is being done in increase awareness and encourage its prevention.

Joyce welcomes Daniel Bull founder of Zero Six Eight (068), an incubator that works to promote the fully innovative potential of ex-offenders as they pursue goals of employment, entrepreneurship, and independence. Portfolio companies include products and services in Ecommerce, cyber security, medical devices, apparel, and other licensed IP. During the show, Daniel will share inspiration for 068 which came about while Daniel was serving a sentence of 21 months in Elkton Prison (Lisbon, Ohio) for ...

Joyce’s honored guest is Secretary of Labor for the Obama Administration, Tom E. Perez. Mr. Perez was nominated by President Obama and sworn in on July 23, 2013, as the nation’s 26th Secretary of Labor. Mr. Perez’s priorities for the department include ensuring a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work; connecting ready-to-work Americans with ready-to-be-filled jobs; promoting gender equality in the workplace; ensuring that people with disabilities and veterans have access to equal employment oppor...

Joyce welcomes James J. Weisman, senior vice president and general counsel of the United Spinal Association, and renowned, ground-breaking figure of the disability rights movement whose legal strategizing was critical to the creation of the transportation section of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Weisman will discuss his friendship with the late, Paul Hearne, co-founder of the American Association of People with Disabilities ( AAPD), and his gradual move toward disability law as a care...

Joyce welcomes Curtis L. Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) the nation’s largest non-governmental enforcer of disability rights, Curt oversees all activities related to training and technical assistance, membership services, and legislative advocacy. He will discuss his life-long commitment to enforcing disability advocacy and disability rights.

Joyce welcomes Susan Palmer Mazuri director of Global Public Policy, AT&T Services Inc. and a member of the board of directors

Joyce welcomes Marsha Blanco, president and CEO of ACHIEVA. ACHIEVA is the only agency of its type in southwestern Pennsylvania that provides lifelong supports. From early intervention therapies, in-home support, to older adult protective services for medically fragile senior citizens, ACHIEVA provides services through the entire life-span. ACHIEVA is a nonprofit parent organization that has comprehensive services and supports and serves more than 14,500 individuals with disabilities and their f...

Joyce welcomed Patricia A. Shiu, director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs at the U.S. Department of Labor. She leads a staff of nearly 800 men and women around the country who are dedicated to protecting workers, promoting diversity and enforcing the law. Over the years, OFCCP’s authority has been expanded by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. She has discussed and gave an update on the progress of the Obama Adm...

Joyce welcomes Stuart Pixley, president, Kathryn Carroll, secretary, and Michael Gilberg, board member of The National Association of Attorneys with Disabilities (NAAD). The NAAD is the national association of attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and others. It represents the interests of those parties and anyone with disabilities in the legal profession so that persons with disabilities can achieve success. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counse...

Joyce welcomes Josie Badger, a national disability rights leader and chair of the #IWantToWork campaign and Karen Priore, co-lead of the campaign for Giant Eagle, Inc. Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania teenagers and young adults with disabilities want to work. While the state’s unemployment rate is close to 5%, 65 out of 100 Pennsylvanians with disabilities can’t find jobs, or have given up looking for work. At the same time, Pennsylvania has a workforce shortage crisis with more the 200,000 unf...

Joyce welcomes Patricia A. Shiu, director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs at the U.S. Department of Labor. She leads a staff of nearly 800 men and women around the country who are dedicated to protecting workers, promoting diversity and enforcing the law. Over the years, OFCCP’s authority has been expanded by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. She will be discussing and giving an update on the progress of the Ob...