Episodes

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...

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.