Episodes

Joyce welcomes Tony Coelho, former democratic congressman from California and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the show. As we get ready to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the signing of the ADA into law, on July 26, 1990, Mr. Coelho 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 Michael Pritchard, a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN and Time for his ability to use humor to inspire and educate his audiences. Michael Pritchard is a big guy with a warm heart who as one student described him, “truly walks as he talks.” He will highlight his experience as a keynote speaker for young audiences and discuss his approach when helping kids with the issue of bullying among other topics effecting their lives.

Joyce welcomes Kathy Krepcio, executive director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Founded in 1997, the center is dedicated to raising the effectiveness of the American workplace by strengthening workforce education, placement and training programs and policies and has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s leading research centers for workforce development. The Center’s efforts concentrate on both nurturing concrete innovations in...

Joyce welcomes Sally E. Shaywitz, M.D., co-director of the newly formed Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity at the Yale University School of Medicine. The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity serves as a nexus for research on dyslexia, and is a leading source of advocacy and information to better the lives of people with dyslexia. Its mission is to uncover and illuminate the strengths of those with dyslexia, disseminate the latest innovations from scientific research and practical advice, a...

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 Paul Abernathy, director of FOCUS Pittsburgh. This is the local office of FOCUS North America, located in Kansas City, MO. As an expression of Christ's love, the organization exists to serve the hungry, thirsty, stranger, sick and imprisoned by providing Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding and Shelter. FOCUS Pittsburgh seeks to lift up those in poverty through holistic wrap-around programs, choosing to walk hand-in-hand with a single person over many miles of life recovery, ...

Joyce welcomes George Gallego, founder of Wheels for Progress; George is a 2013 Hearne Leadership Award winner, sponsored by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Mr. Gallego will be discussing in detail the mission of Wheels for Progress, which is to create affordable, accessible, supportive housing and transformative environments for people with physical disabilities. He will also discuss what it means to him to be selected as a winner of the 2013 Hearne Leadership Award...

Joyce welcomes Cindy Shapira and Amy Snider, two members of the working group for 21 and Able to the show. Each year in Pennsylvania, hundreds of young people with disabilities move from a good system of education and support services, to virtually no system or help at all, when they turn 21. Therefore, 21 and Able is an initiative of the United Way of Allegheny County that strives to address this issue, by ensuring that there are options for transition and by involving families, the community, ...

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). While a title for his new book has not been finalized yet, Mr. Bales will discuss its topic, the link between modern slavery and environmental destruction. He will also discuss the release of a Global Slavery Index, the first ever measure of slavery globally, with information about...

Joyce welcomes Aimee Slattery and Frank Velasquez, co-owners of Rev Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Development, LLC in Cranberry, Township, PA. Rev Sports’ mission is to provide a fun, proactive, positive environment and the highest quality of service in sports rehabilitation, athletic development, strength/conditioning and performance training. They will talk about the importance of exercise and conditioning for everyone, including those living with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Staci Forrest, winner of the 2013 Sam Miller Award, Sam’s mother Ginny, and the chair of the Bender Lead On Team, Gerald Homme. Before his suicide in 2011, Sam was a dedicated member of the Bender Lead On Team; throughout his life, Sam was also a victim of bullying. Sam supported other young people with disabilities and fought for justice for all people who faced bullying and other forms of discrimination. This represents the reason why the award was established in his honor.

Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, executive director of the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN). The USBLN embraces the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor force and marketplace; assists in career preparation for and employment of people with disabilities; improves customer experiences for people with disabilities; and promotes the certification and growth of disability-owned business enterprises. Ms. Houghton will be discussing the USBLN’s, Disability Supplier Diversity Progr...

Joyce welcomes Tope Ganiyah Fajingbesi, co-founder and the Volunteer Executive Director of United for Kids Foundation, a tax exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational and healthcare opportunities to less privileged children in Nigeria. Ms. Fajingbesi will discuss the mission of the organization in depth and the Ambassadors Ball, to raise funds for this organization. The ball will be held at the Whittemore House, Dupont Circle, Washington, DC on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

Joyce welcomes author Chris Brogan to the show. He will discuss his book In The Impact Equation. In the book, Brogan shows that to make people truly care about what you have to say, you need more than just a good idea, trust among your audience, or a certain number of followers. You need a potent mix of all of the above and more. Read the Impact Equation to figure out what you’re doing right and wrong. Apply it to a blog, a tweet, a video, or a mainstream-media advertising cam¬paign. Use it to e...

Joyce welcomes chair of the Carlow University Board of Trustees, George Pry and vice-chair Michele Atkins to the show. Carlow University is a comprehensive Catholic masters university which prepares students for leadership and compassionate service in their professional and personal life. The student population of approximately 2,200 is culturally diverse and contains traditional and nontraditional students; more than half are first generation. Among the topics discussed will be the university’s...

Joyce welcomes author Chris Brogan to the show. He will discuss his book In The Impact Equation. In the book, Brogan shows that to make people truly care about what you have to say, you need more than just a good idea, trust among your audience, or a certain number of followers. You need a potent mix of all of the above and more. Read the Impact Equation to figure out what you’re doing right and wrong. Apply it to a blog, a tweet, a video, or a mainstream-media advertising cam¬paign. Use it to e...

Joyce welcomes chairman of the National Governor’s Association, Delaware’s Governor Jack Markell and Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the show. Governor Markell was the recipient of the 2012 Tony Coelho Award at a recent ceremony held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. The Award is named after the Honorable Tony Coelho, former U.S. Congressman from CA. It honors senior-level executives and government leaders who have worked to create systemic cha...

Marti Stahl and Pat Serey, two representatives from Volunteers of America Pennsylvania will discuss their organization’s mission in depth. Volunteers of America Pennsylvania is a faith-based human service non-profit organization. With compassionate care that touches mind, body, heart and spirit, their programs help seniors, adults, youth and children reach their full potential.

Joyce welcomes jazz musicians, Ski Johnson and Trevor Holland to the show. Both will discuss their new music video “Superman”, which discusses the problem of domestic violence, and Ski will discuss being honored at the 2013 BET Awards, June 28 -30, 2013.

Joyce welcomes chairman of the National Governor’s Association, Delaware’s Governor Jack Markell and Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the show. Governor Markell was the recipient of the 2012 Tony Coelho Award at a recent ceremony held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. The Award is named after the Honorable Tony Coelho, former U.S. Congressman from CA. It honors senior-level executives and government leaders who have worked to create systemic cha...

Joyce welcomes Tope Ganiyah Fajingbesi, co-founder and the Volunteer Executive Director of United for Kids Foundation, a tax exempt nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational and healthcare opportunities to less privileged children in Nigeria. Ms. Fajingbesi will discuss the mission of the organization in depth and the Ambassadors Ball, to raise funds for this organization. The ball will be held at the Whittemore House, Dupont Circle, Washington DC on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

Joyce welcomes Jon Charles, executive director of the College Summit program for Pennsylvania–West Virginia region. The College Summit mission is to increase the college enrollment rates of youth from low-income communities. Mr. Charles will be discussing the program in depth. The program is in partnership with 180 high schools across the country to achieve the common purpose of all students experiencing high school as a launch pad for college and career success.

Joyce welcomes Gayle Oliver-Plath, CEO and founder of CareerEco, a virtual fair recruiting company and talent community for individuals and employers who embrace the power of technology to reach all job seekers looking to join the workforce. Also joining Ms. Oliver-Plath will be Wayne Fishell who has worked in the career services field for 10 years, most recently in the virtual realm at CareerEco. They will both discuss the company’s mission in depth, and its commitment to reaching people with d...