Episodes

Joyce’s honored guest is United States Department of Labor Deputy Secretary Seth Harris. He will discuss the Obama Administration’s commitment to increasing the employment of people with disabilities within the private sector, and federal government.

Joyce welcomes Stephen Bennett, president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy, (UCP). He will discuss the mission, programs and services of this organization.

Ms. Maul is Vice President and Global Account Executive for the DuPont account as part of CSC’s Managed Services Sector with Global Responsibility for New Business Development, Account Performance, Marketing and Financial Management to DuPont.

Joyce welcomes Philip M. Gattone, M.Ed., President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. He will discuss the mission of this affiliate and his personal commitment to helping people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes George Kettner, president of Economic Systems Inc. (Econsys), based in Falls Church, VA. Mr. Kettner will discuss his recent work with the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy to conduct statistical analysis of the employment of people with disabilities and to develop new models to facilitate equal employment opportunity for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Christine Griffin, newly appointed deputy director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Ms. Griffin will discuss her role within OPM and her commitment to diversity, including her efforts to increase the hiring and promotion of people with disabilities within the federal government.

Joyce welcomes Denise Pease, board officer for the National Epilepsy Foundation, and chair of the Know the Difference campaign. She will discuss this African American Initiative ,which is designed to raise awareness of epilepsy within the African-American community.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Kevin Bales, world renowned author, expert on modern slavery, and president of Free the Slaves, the US sister organization of Anti-Slavery International (the world’s oldest human rights organization). He will discuss how we can end slavery and human trafficking.

Joyce welcomes Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), U.S. Department of Labor. She will discuss the federal government’s commitment to increasing the employment of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Jim Abrahams to the show, who is an American film writer, director, and producer. Mr. Abrahams is also the co-founder, and executive director of the Charlie Foundation, which was established in 1994 in order to raise awareness about the ketogenic diet as a treatment for childhood epilepsy. The modern success of the diet has led to new demands on the medical community. In order to meet these demands, the Charlie Foundation has expanded its priorities to include educational programs...

Joyce’s honored guest is Ginny Thornburgh, director of the Interfaith Initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The initiative’s mission is to support people with disabilities and their families as they seek spiritual and religious access. She will discuss her work with this project, and a life long career as an advocate for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes David Dikter, executive director of Assistive Technology Industry Association. He will discuss the mission of this non-profit membership organization made up of manufacturers, sellers and providers of technology-based assistive devices and/or services.

Joyce welcomes Lawrence Carter-Long, executive director of Disability Network of NYC. He will discuss his work with this non-profit organization, which brings people, government and industry together to find solutions to the problems faced by New Yorkers with physical, visual and hearing disabilities. The organization strives for full inclusion of people with disabilities into the vast civic, social and economic life of New York City.

Joyce welcomes Gail Pundsack, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation in Colorado. Ms. Pundsack will discuss the mission and programs of this affiliate.

Joyce’s honored guest is Ginny Thornburgh, director of the Interfaith Initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The initiative’s mission is to support people with disabilities and their families as they seek spiritual and religious access. She will discuss her work with this project, and a life long career as an advocate for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes two Bender Leadership Academy high school students, Michael Gandy of Beaver Falls High School, and Emilee Butera of Ambridge Area High School. The Bender Leadership Academy trains high school students with disabilities for the world of work. Michael and Emilee will discuss their experiences in the class and share how they will use what they have learned to be young leaders for other students with disabilities.

The Joyce welcomes Don Dew president and founder of ReachOutUSA, a Kansas-based organization that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual disabled people in the United States. ReachOutUSA provides services for this population of Americans, as well as trainings for agencies and businesses to the show. He will discuss the motivations surrounding his decision to start this organization and the problems that this group face in obtaining services in the social service arena.

Joyce welcomes Julie McCawley , an 11th grade youth leader with the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Foundation (SJS). Discussed on the show will be her leadership role, how she deals with bullying in school, and her recent luncheon with Michelle Obama.

Joyce’s featured guests are Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to President Obama for Disability Policy. A range of topics will be discussed on the show, including October as National Disability Awareness Month, reflecting on the meaning of the Americans with Disability Act to Americans with disabilities and the Obama Administration’s commitment to hiring Americans with disabilities.

Joyce’s honored guest is Susan Axelrod, president and founding member of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE). In 1998, Axelrod and two other mothers, frustrated with their inability to protect their children from the devastation of uncontrollable seizures and the side effects of medications, joined forces to spearhead the search for a cure for epilepsy. Discussed on the show will be her commitment to finding a cure and for increasing public awareness of epilepsy through the use of th...

Joyce welcomes Kristin Schkade, Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation’s National Youth Council, which comprises 10 young adults, ages 18 to 24 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the epilepsy community. Ms. Schkade will discuss her experience on the council.

Joyce welcomes Donna Stahlhut, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas (Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth). During the show she will discuss the ways in which this chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation is helping those with epilepsy live with this disability and how the chapter is helping to end the stigma that is associated with epilepsy.

Joyce’s honored guest is Susan Axelrod, president and founding member of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE). In 1998, Axelrod and two other mothers, frustrated with their inability to protect their children from the devastation of uncontrollable seizures and the side effects of medications, joined forces to spearhead the search for a cure for epilepsy. Mrs. Axelrod is also the wife of David Axelrod, senior advisor to President Obama. Discussed on the show will be her commitment to f...

Joyce welcomes Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). Among the topics discussed on the show will be the mission of NCIL, which is to help people with disabilities lead independent lives; the status of the Community Choice Act; and as we prepare to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 2010, why he feels employment is the last stronghold.