Episodes

Joyce welcomes Bonnie Rubin, executive director of the Project for Freedom, and Pat Serey, Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania’s chief development and marketing officer and vice president of its southwestern region to the program. They will discuss the 2013 merger between these two groups. Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania is a faith-based human service nonprofit organization. The organization has a wide-range of programs and services that help seniors, adults, youth and children reach for...

Joyce welcomes Eric Walrabenstein, an author, speaker, founder of Operation Bootstrap and nationally-recognized expert in the fields of yoga and mind/body health. Eric’s Operation Bootstrap Program is designed to help returning veterans and their families cope with the effects of post traumatic stress disorder and other psychological effects of war. This first-of-its-kind program combines modern scientific stress-management principles with the ancient mind/body wisdom of yoga to return both body...

Joyce welcomes back Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety, The Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh. Variety’s mission is to provide children with disabilities in Southwestern Pennsylvania with unique programs, experiences, and adaptive equipment so they may live life to the fullest. Mr. LaVallee will discuss the organization’s “My Bike” Program, which provides adaptive bikes to children with disabilities so they may have the freedom of a bike and the joy of riding alongside friends.

Joyce welcomes Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the show. As a person living with epilepsy, Tony will discuss his experiences living with epilepsy. He will also share updates on the attempt by the senate to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

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 the Obama Administration's landmark 503 regula...

Joyce welcomes Phil Gattone, CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation. As November is National Epilepsy Month, Mr. Gattone will discuss the foundation’s efforts to promote public awareness of epilepsy and end the stigma that is often associated with it.

Joyce welcomes Judy Painter, president and CEO of Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA to the show. In recognition of National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Ms. Painter will share a wide range of information about epilepsy including what it is and the different types of seizures there are. Also Ms. Painter will discuss the programs and services her organization provides to support people living with epilepsy and their families.

Joyce welcomes Josie Badger, former 2012 Ms. Wheelchair USA, and person living with Muscular Dystrophy. Josie works at the Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership Center as Youth Coordinator for the Family to Family Grant, assisting youth in transition and leadership development. Josie is also a LEND fellow for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and is working to create the Children’s Hospital Advisory Network for Guidance and Empowerment (CHANGE). Ms. Badger will discuss her current w...

Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato, executive director of The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). This 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 Carol Glazer, president of the National Organization on Disability (NOD). She will discuss in depth, the mission of the NOD, which is to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 56 million men, women, and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. It’s current focus is on improving employment prospects for America’s 29 million working-aged Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes one of the nation’s leading authorities in the field of media and public advocacy, Neil Romano, president of The Romano Group. Mr. Romano was also nominated by President George W. Bush to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in 2007. During the show, Mr. Romano will discuss his past work with ODEP, and his continued commitment to the cause of employing people with disabilitie...

Joyce welcomes Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and TaKeisha Walker, AAPD’s director of workplace & leadership initiatives. Discussed on the show will be the organization’s plans for the 2013 Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), Wednesday, October 16, 2013. DMD which is held the third Wednesday in October annually, began as an event at the White House for a few dozen students in 1999. In 2010, AAPD worked with over 200 volunteers and 19 ...

Joyce’s honored guest is Rita M. Landgraf, secretary of health and social services for the state of Delaware. Since taking office in January 2009, Secretary Landgraf has been a leader on some of Governor Markell’s top priorities to form partnerships across the government to improve the lives of Delawareans, including those with disabilities. During the show, Secretary Landgraf will highlight her accomplishments and those of the Markell Administration.

Joyce welcomes one of the nation’s leading authorities in the field of media and public advocacy, Neil Romano, president of The Romano Group. Mr. Romano was also nominated by President George W. Bush to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in 2007. During the show, Mr. Romano will discuss his past work with ODEP, and his continued commitment to the cause of employing people with disabilitie...

Joyce’s honored guest is Rita M. Landgraf, secretary of health and social services for the state of Delaware. Since taking office in January 2009, Secretary Landgraf has been a leader on some of Governor Markell’s top priorities to form partnerships across the government to improve the lives of Delawareans, including those with disabilities. During the show, Secretary Landgraf will highlight her accomplishments and those of the Markell Administration.

Joyce welcomes Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services for the United States Department of Education, Sue Swenson to the show. Ms. Swenson will discuss proven effective practices, as well as what’s new in special education.

Joyce welcomes Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety, the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh. Variety’s mission is to provide children with disabilities in Southwestern Pennsylvania with unique programs, experiences, and adaptive equipment so they may live life to the fullest. Mr. LaVallee will discuss the charity’s programs and services overall, but specifically highlight its “My Bike” Program, which provides adaptive bikes to children with disabilities so they may have the freedom of a bike and the j...

Joyce welcomes Chris and Kristi Hall, founders of The Hemispherectomy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that provides emotional, financial, and educational support to individuals and their families who have undergone, or will undergo, a hemispherectomy or similar brain surgery to treat certain types of epilepsy, previously found to be unresponsive to medications or other forms of treatment. The Halls will discuss in depth the programs and services offered by this vital organizatio...

Joyce welcomes Delaware State Representative for District 8, Quinn Johnson to the show. Representative Johnson will talk about his administration’s commitment to his constituents with disabilities. Among the achievements Mr. Johnson and his administration have made is HB 328 which ensures that children with disabilities are provided the educational support to which they are entitled by local school districts. In addition, The State Council of Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) and the LIFE Confere...

Joyce welcomes Chris and Kristi Hall, founders of The Hemispherectomy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, that provides emotional, financial, and educational support to individuals and their families who have undergone, or will undergo, a hemispherectomy or similar brain surgery to treat certain types of epilepsy, previously found to be unresponsive to medications or other forms of treatment. The Halls will discuss in depth the programs and services offered by this vital organizatio...

Joyce’s honored guests will be Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) of the United States Senate and Bobby Silverstein, director of the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy. As we approach July 26th, the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), both guests will discuss its importance and how critical it is to continue advocating for the independence and employment of all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Mark Perriello, president and CEO, of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The AAPD is the nation's largest cross-disability membership organization. The AAPD promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Its members, including people with disabilities and their family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change. Mr. Perriello, will discuss the recent election of...

Joyce welcomes Mark Johnson, director of advocacy for the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury and brain injury. Mr. Johnson’s duties at the hospital include identifying and researching disability issues, educating the staff and community about those issues and serving as a liaison with national groups dedicated to improving the lives of peop...

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...