Episodes

Joyce’s honored guest will be Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) of the United States Senate. As we approach July 26th, the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Senator Harkin will discuss his work to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the work that still needs to be done to provide employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). He will discuss the OPM’s role in assisting agencies with the implementation of their plans to increase federal employment of individuals with disabilities, in support of President Barack Obama’s executive order.

Joyce welcomes 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.

As we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2012, Joyce welcomes Becky Ogle, Disability Rights Advocate and former executive director of the Presidential Task Force on the Employment of Adults with Disabilities. Becky will discuss her work in the disability community and what the ADA has meant to all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Phil Gattone, the new CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation, who will discuss his background and vision for this organization. In the second segment of the show, during the last 15 minutes, Avalyn Jackson, associate marketing director of disability and mature products, with AT&T Mobility will join as a guest. She will discuss her strategy associated with development and marketing of accessible devices.

Joyce welcomes Lisa Banks, executive director to Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates in Virginia (CASA). She will discuss in depth, the mission of this 501( c)(3) charity. CASA works at the request of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, to provide highly trained volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children placed under the Court’s protection. A second segment of the show, beginning at 2:45 PM eastern time, will feature Jon N...

Lisa Scott, Director of Clinical Education in the School of Communication Science and Disorders at Florida State University is now on with Joyce Bender today on Disability Matters with John Williams. . .see changed text below. Sincerely, Lee Hassinger, Bender Family of Companies.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Brien Smith, chairman of the board of the national Epilepsy Foundation; Dr. Frances Jensen, president of the American Epilepsy Society; and Joan Austin, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, a distinguished professor emerita at the Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis and a consultant for the Intramural Program of the National Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They will be discussing the latest research findings on the treatment of epilepsy...

Ryan Dillon, national board member of the Epilepsy Foundation and person who is living with epilepsy, will discuss his journey and his advocacy work. He is “walking the halls of Congress” in Washington, DC to raise epilepsy awareness, and asking members of congress to co-sponsor House Resolution 298, The RAISE Act, Raising Awareness and Insight on Seizures and Epilepsy.

Joyce welcomes Jason Say, CEO of Camo Cares, an organization that raises money to benefit Hunt of a Lifetime to send children with life threatening illnesses on their dream hunts. Camo Cares is proud to announce that this year's 2012 event will be held in Fryburg, Pennsylvania at the Fryburg Sportsman's Club Farm. In addition, Camo Cares is happy to announce that it will be raising money to take a wounded U.S. veteran on a hunt of a lifetime Elk hunt to New Mexico.

Joyce welcomes John Register, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) board member and recently selected co-chair President Obama’s re-election campaign. John is a veteran of the Gulf War, a silver medalist in the U.S. Paralympic Games, and a former Olympic Trials athlete. John competed in the 1988 U.S. Olympic Games where he landed incorrectly after clearing a hurdle, and severed a major artery in his left leg, ultimately resulting in his leg being amputated. John also serves as...

Joyce welcomes Michael Ellenbogen, diagnosed at a young age, Michael is a person living with Young Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease (YOAD). He will discuss his book, From the Corner Office to Alzheimer’s, as well as his advocacy efforts to find a cure for this disease. He will also discuss his work to increase awareness of the effects of this disease on those living with the illness, and their families.

Joyce welcomes George DiLeo, director of school services for STAR School Programs and Dave Dragosin, director of communications and public relations. They will discuss in depth the mission of the programs, which addresses the destructive behaviors that affect our children from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. Their different programs concentrate on drug and alcohol problems, including DUI, childhood obesity, teen dating violence and anti-bullying.

Joyce welcomes Josie Badger, Ms. Wheelchair USA. Ms. Badger will discuss what it has meant to her to receive this title, and talk about her accomplishments while living with Muscular Dystrophy.

Joyce welcomes Ginny Thornburgh, director of Interfaith Initiatives for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), author, and wife of former U.S. Attorney General, Dick Thornburgh. Mrs. Thornburgh will be discussing the book: Amazing Gifts: Stories of Faith, Disability, and Inclusion, by the Alban Institute.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Tom Keating, Institute Director at Eugene Research Institute, which conducts assistive technology research and development with an emphasis on cognitive accessible computing and design of systems for community living support, and Karl Smith, founder of Accelerations Educational Software and creator of the DT Trainer and the Activity Trainer. Used in over 1100 school districts, these tools are used to impact students with autism and other learning disabilities. Both men will sh...

Joyce welcomes Ari Ne’eman, President of Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and Julia Bascom, creators of The Loud Hands Project to the show. They will be discussing the mission of ASAN and The Loud Hands Project, a structured, multi-faceted response by the community of people living with autism to the systematic disenfranchisement, bullying, and abuse experienced by youth, adults, and self advocates with autism.

Joyce welcomes Amy Dawson-Smith, co-owner of AJJLS Yorkies, Yorkie breeders who offer puppy delivery nationwide. Ms. Dawson-Smith will be discussing their commitment to breeding Yorkie puppies to serve as therapy puppies then becoming therapy dogs as adults.

Joyce welcomes Nan DeTurk, co-chair of Pittsburgh’s 20th Annual Rainbow Gala to benefit the Western Pennsylvania Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The gala will be held Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the Westin Convention Center Hotel. They will discuss plans for this year’s fundraiser honoring Dr. Kenneth Melani, president and CEO of Highmark, Inc. Ms. DeTurk is executive vice president, chief administrative and financial officer, and treasurer of Highmark, Inc.

Joyce welcomes Tony Coelho, interim president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation and co-National Epilepsy Walk chairs, Lisa Moss and Matt Miller. They will be discussing plans for the National Epilepsy Walk at the National Mall in Washington, DC on Saturday, March 31, 2012.

Joyce welcomes Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Mark Barlet, one of two recipients of the 2012 Hearne Award sponsored by AAPD. Discussed on the show will be the 2012 AAPD Leadership Awards Gala, Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington DC. The Paul G. Hearne Award recognizes those outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and commitment to th...

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). He will continue his discussion on how we can end human trafficking.

Joyce welcomes Ari Ne’eman, President of Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and Julia Bascom, creators of The Loud Hands Project to the show. They will be discussing the mission of ASAN and The Loud Hands Project, a structured, multi-faceted response by the community of people living with autism to the systematic disenfranchisement, bullying, and abuse experienced by youth, adults, and self advocates with autism.

Joyce welcomes Jessica Mayer, president, trainer, and consultant of J. B. Access, Inc., a company that provides workshops on disability awareness and other valuable disability-related services. She will discuss in depth, the mission of this company; in addition, Jessica will discuss her knowledge about the ADA and practical implementation issues.