Episodes

Pat Shiu, director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), in the U.S. Department of Labor is Joyce’s guest. She will discuss the new proposed rule from the OFCCP, requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to set a hiring goal of having 7 percent of their workforce be people with disabilities. The proposed rule would represent significant progress in the enforcement of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to...

Joyce welcomes Alan Ingalls, who recently joined the prestigious firm of Booz Allen Hamilton, as a senior technical manager and business executive in the Engineering and Operations capability, supporting the firm’s Security market and other markets in Central MD. Prior to joining Booz Allen Hamilton, Alan worked at CSC supporting the DuPont account. Alan was a member of the management team that promoted employment of people with disabilities in the workplace. He will discuss his continued suppor...

In keeping with a commitment to bring awareness of bullying of young people, especially those with disabilities, Joyce welcomes author and retired Hall of Fame head football coach, Phil Brooks to the show. He will discuss his current book, Maroon Knights. Its storyline depicts how two friends encounter physical, and emotional intimidation directed at them by a group of rowdy boys. When the main character Charlie Spagnuolo, attempts to save his friend, Benny, from a close encounter with the schoo...

Joyce welcomes Dr. Joseph Harrison, Chief of Recruitment and Retention for the US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). MEDCOM is the section of the US Army that hires civilians to work alongside those who are enlisted in Army medical facilities, here and abroad, servicing US Army soldiers, veterans and their families. Dr. Harrison will discuss MEDCOM’s extensive efforts to increase the hiring of disabled civilians and veterans.

Joyce welcomes David Morrissey, executive director of the United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD). He will discuss the mission of this non-profit, membership, constituent-led organization committed to promoting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the U.S. and abroad.

Joyce welcomes Todd Reeves, executive director of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Discussed on the show will be the mission of this school and his commitment to helping the students reach their full potential.

Joyce welcomes Sister Sheila Carney, Special Assistant to the President for Mercy Heritage and Service to the show. Sister Carney will be discussing the 180th anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy, founders of Carlow University.

Joyce welcomes Ty Ballou, President of PLB Sports in Pittsburgh, PA and founder of the BallouSkies charity. Ty will discuss his son, Ryan who is living with Muscular Dystrophy, as well as the mission of this non-profit organization that provides funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research.

Joyce welcomes David Carson, author of Survival Guide for College-Bound L.D. Students, as her guest. He will discuss his struggles overcoming his learning disability in college and how those struggles led him to write this publication for any college student faced with a learning disability.

Joyce welcomes Marc Eckand#333; an entrepreneur, fashion/media mogul, venture capitalist and education reformer. He is the CEO and a founder of ARTISTS and INSTIGATORS, LLC.

Joyce welcomes the new chairman of the board of the Epilepsy Foundation, Dr. Brien Smith. Dr. Brien Smith is an epileptologist living with epilepsy. He will discuss what it means to him to be the chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation, and why he decided to become an advocate for those living with epilepsy. He will also discuss the various types of seizures that a person with epilepsy can have, and some of the new research initiatives being studied to treat epilepsy.

Joyce welcomes Interim President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Tony Coelho. This is National Epilepsy Awareness month, and he will discuss the 2011-2012 goals for the organization. He will also reflect on the progress that has been made in the disability rights movement since the ADA became law.

Joyce welcomes Evan Moss and his mother, Lisa Moss, to the show. Evan Moss is an 8-year-old boy who has tuberous sclerosis and epilepsy. He has written a book entitled, “My Seizure Dog”, which helped the family raise money to purchase a service dog to help him manage his seizures. Lisa Moss serves on the board of directors of the national Epilepsy Foundation; she believes in advocacy, both for her family and for others.

Joyce welcomes Ronnette Smith, senior manager, corporate affairs at Walmart, Inc. She will discuss Walmart's commitment to hiring people with disabilities as part of their corporate diversity hiring practices.

Joyce welcomes Judy Painter, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania. She will discuss a number of topics including the mission of the organization, her insight into why she feels people are afraid to disclose they have epilepsy, and what parents can do to help their children who are bullied at school. She will also share details about the organization’s annual fundraiser, the Mardi Gras Gala, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Joyce welcomes Judy Pamer, disability advocate for ACHIEVA. ACHIEVA provides a full spectrum of services for people of all ages and abilities and their families. Ms. Pamer is also co-founder of UP KIDS support group for kids with Downs Syndrome and their families. Ms. Pamer has a son, Karl with Downs Syndrome, and knows first-hand, the issues that families of children with Downs Syndrome face. She will discuss the current bullying crisis that is facing kids in schools today, especially those wit...

Joyce welcomes Michael Murray, the American Association of People with Disabilities’ (AAPD) director of programs. Michael will be discussing Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), which is Wednesday, October 19, 2011. DMD is a job-shadow and career exploration program designed to link students and jobseekers with disabilities to employers interested in hiring people with disabilities. AAPD coordinates DMD through a network of more than 350 volunteers. AAPD is the country's largest cross-disability memb...

Joyce welcomes Matthew Ray, EVP and CIO for Highmark, Inc. He will discuss Highmark’s long-standing commitment to hiring people with disabilities, the company’s demonstrated experience in this area, and what he believes it means to be successful in the information technology industry.

Joyce welcomes Judy Pamer, disability advocate for ACHIEVA. ACHIEVA provides a full spectrum of services for people of all ages and abilities and their families. Ms. Pamer is also co-founder of UP KIDS support group for kids with Downs Syndrome and their families. Ms. Pamer has a son, Karl with Downs Syndrome, and knows first-hand, the issues that families of children with Downs Syndrome face. She will discuss the current bullying crisis that is facing kids in schools today, especially those wit...

Joyce invites back Brenda High, author of “Bullycide in America” and crusader against youth suicide caused by bullying. Brenda will again share the story of her son Jared’s struggle with bullying and how it led to his untimely death. She will also discuss the ways she has used this tragedy to shine a spotlight on this growing problem and has ultimately turned this tragedy into triumph. Brenda has become an advocate to help children and their families overcome this issue.

Joyce welcomes Stacey Milbern, community outreach director, and A’ishah Meghan Hils, member of the governing board of the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN). NYLN is a youth-led organization that works to build empowerment among people with disabilities between the ages of 16-28 years old. NYLN supports young people in their role as the next generation of leadership in the disability rights movement. Founded in 1997, NYLN is the only youth-led disability rights nonprofit organization in th...

Joyce welcomes Judy Pamer, disability advocate for ACHIEVA. ACHIEVA provides a full spectrum of services for people of all ages and abilities and their families. Ms. Pamer is also co-founder of UP KIDS support group for kids with Downs Syndrome and their families. Ms. Pamer has a son, Karl with Downs Syndrome, and knows first-hand, the issues that families of children with Downs Syndrome face. She will discuss the current bullying crisis that is facing kids in schools today, especially those wit...

Joyce’s honored guest will be Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) of the United States Senate. Senator Harkin will discuss his April 2011 speech to the United States Chamber of Commerce in which he discusses the current state of employment of people with disabilities, and his challenge to U.S. businesses to improve that employment outlook. He will also reflect on the impact that President Obama’s signing of the executive order last year to increase the hiring of people with disabilities in the Federal gov...

Back by popular demand, we will be re-airing the July 12, 2011 edition of “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender”. Joyce welcomes Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The AAPD is the largest cross-disability organization for people with disabilities. Mr. Perriello, who has had a visual disability since childhood, has a proven track record of increasing organizational standing with decision makers through creative and high-impact grassro...