Episodes

Joyce welcomes Don Clayback executive director of the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART). NCART is national association of complex rehab technology (CRT) providers and manufacturers focused on ensuring individuals with disabilities have adequate access to specialized wheelchairs, seating and positioning systems, and other adaptive equipment such as standing devices and gait trainers. He has responsibility for monitoring, analyzing, and influencing regulatory policies a...

In recognition of November as national Epilepsy Awareness month, Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA. Ms. Beem-Jelley will discuss the mission of this organization and the programs and services it has in place to foster greater awareness of epilepsy.

In recognition of November as national Epilepsy Awareness month, Joyce welcomes Phil Gattone, CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation. Mr. Gattone will discuss the mission of this organization and the programs and services it has in place to foster greater awareness of epilepsy.

Joyce welcomes, Karen Slaughter, New York Times and international best-selling author, with over 30 million copies of her books sold worldwide. Best known for her Grant County and Will Trent series, Ms. Slaughter will discuss the reason many of the novels she writes feature a character(s) with a disability.

Joyce welcomes Christine M. Griffin, executive director of the Disability Law Center Inc. (DLC), of Massachusetts. The DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. Ms. Griffin will discuss the services of the DLC in depth, and also talk about her background as a life-long advocate for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Fred Maahs, chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), to the show. The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest cross-disability membership organization that promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. During the show, he will share his story of how he became a member of the disability community, what it means to be chair of AAPD, and most impor...

Joyce welcomes Christine M. Griffin, executive director of the Disability Law Center Inc. (DLC), of Massachusetts. The DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. Ms. Griffin will discuss the services of the DLC in depth, and also talk about her background as a life-long advocate for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Mark Johnson, director of the Shepherd Center. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord and brain injury. Founded in 1975, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation. Mr. Johnson will discuss the programs and services of this facility, in depth.

Joyce welcomes author, Donna W. Hill to the show. Donna Hill is a writer, speaker and avid knitter from Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains. A songwriter with three albums, she has published her first novel, The Heart of Applebutter Hill. It has received recommendations from professionals in the fields of education, rehabilitation and the arts as a tool to foster full inclusion of people with disabilities. During the show, she will explain why fiction is a safe and highly personal way of introducin...

With a special introduction by Joyce Bender: As a tribute to Robert (Bobby) Coward, Disability Rights Activist, who died on Monday, August 25, 2014, we are re-airing his appearance on Disability Matters from February 12, 2008. Robert E. Coward, Jr., was co-founder/director, DIRECT Action (Disabled Individuals for Real Empowerment and Community Training and chair/spokesperson, Capital Area ADAPT. Discussed was “What it means to be and Advocate.”

Joyce welcomes Daniel Budzinski, president of Compassionate Touch International. Compassionate Touch International is a missions organization that brings the message of the Gospel to the world. Mr. Budzinski will discuss this mission in depth.

Joyce welcomes John Kemp, president and CEO of the Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations. The Viscardi Center programs and services include Pre-K through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses. Mr. Kemp will discuss the mission of this network in depth, and his more than 50 years of direct experien...

Joyce welcomes Stephen Bennett who leads the international non-profit organization, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) as President and CEO. He has a 30-year history of success in business development, strategic planning, financial management, marketing, event production, and local and national public policy. He will discuss the mission and his goals for UCP, as well as trends in the area of advancing employment and empowerment of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, chairman of the “Bender Lead On Team” and Ginny Miller, mother of the late, Sam Miller to the show. Based on Facebook, the Bender Lead On Team is a group of people who help Bender lead the charge to spread the news of employment and empowerment for people with disabilities. Working in high schools and on college campuses, members encourage young people with disabilities to set goals that align with competitive career opportunities. It also provides a forum for young ...

Joyce welcomes Chai Feldblum, commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Ms. Feldblum will discuss the mission of the EEOC, federal hiring successes of people with disabilities and other initiatives such as Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, requiring federal contractors to take affirmative action to include people with disabilities within their workforce.

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He will discuss the progress we have made since the ADA was passed, and the work that still needs to be done to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Jerry MacCleary, president of Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS) for the NAFTA region and senior representative for Bayer in Pittsburgh and the larger Allegheny County area communities. Mr. MacCleary will discuss Bayer’s commitment to increasing the employment of people with disabilities and the corporation’s efforts in the community to support Variety, The Children’s Charity, “My Bike” Program.

Joyce welcomes to the show, David Morrissey, executive director of the United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD), Tony Coelho, former congressman and author of the ADA, Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania Governor, Jill Houghton, executive director of the United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN), and Dick Thornburgh, former PA Governor and former U.S. Attorney General. Each guest will talk about the recent efforts to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Di...

Joyce welcomes Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the world’s largest cross-disability membership organization. As we approach the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, Mark will reflect on the progress we have made since the legislation became law and share his perspective on the work that needs to be done to further the rights of all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Lori Gregan, store manager at Roses for Autism. Ms. Gregan will discuss the Roses For Autism business, selling high-quality Pinchbeck flowers to local and nationwide customers alike. In addition, the business also offers training and assessment services to adults with autism spectrum disorder on-site, both inside and outside the floral operation. This affirmative experience prepares their students, participants, and contingent workers to find meaningful work that is well-suited to...

Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, executive director of the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and Patricia J. Richards, director of the USBLN Disability Supplier Diversity Program®. The guests will explain in depth, the USBLN mission to help business drive performance by leveraging disability inclusion in the workplace, and the Disability Supplier Diversity Program® (DSDP). The DSDP was developed and launched by the USBLN® to expand their supplier diversity programs to include businesses that...

Joyce welcomes Coach Jerry Kill, of the University of Minnesota Golden Gofers football team and Chanda Gunn, former Olympic hockey player to the show. Both individuals are among a group of athletes who are involved in a national campaign called Athletes vs. Epilepsy. This national Epilepsy Foundation campaign offers athletes the chance to compete in fundraising events to support the development of new therapies for people with epilepsy. In addition to discussion the Athletes vs. Epilepsy group, ...