Episodes

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.

Joyce’s honored guest is Kathy Martinez, United States Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in the Department of Labor. During the show Assistant Secretary Martinez will share what it means to her to have been selected by President Obama for this new role within ODEP. Additionally, she will discuss how she believes she will be able to work within the Obama Administration to increase employment for Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Christine M. Griffin, acting vice chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Discussed on the show will be the ADA Amendments Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on September 25, 2008 at the White House.

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 welcomes Celia Hindes, executive director of Variety the Children’s Charity in Pittsburgh, PA. The topic will be the mission and programs of this non-profit agency dedicated to enriching the lives of children with disabilities throughout Southwestern, PA.

Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato, president and CEO, of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). He will be discussing the mission and goals of the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizing the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially.

Joyce welcomes Michael Couch, President of Michael Couch and Associates Inc., a versatile consulting practice focused on dramatically improving the capability of organizations, teams, and individuals.

Joyce’s honored guest will be Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) of the United States Senate. Senator Harkin will discuss his distinguished career in public service, and his commitment to helping people with disabilities live independent lives through his work in the U.S. Senate.

Joyce welcomes Stephanie L. Walsh, MSW, LSW, executive director of The Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC), in Pittsburgh, PA. Discussed on the show will be the mission of the CVVC, which is a community-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to healing trauma, resolving conflict, and ending violence.

Joyce welcomes Edwin Black, author of War Against the Weak and Peter Demas, and Justin Strawhand, producer and director respectively of the film, War Against the Weak. They will discuss these works, which highlight the history of the American eugenics movement. The film is the winner of the 2009 Beverly Hills Film Festival Award for best feature film.

Joyce welcomes Neva Hirschkorn, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California to the show. Discussed on the show will be the goals that this affiliate has achieved and set for itself. In addition, Ms. Hirschkorn will share her perspective on issues faced by people with epilepsy in her community. She will also reflect on how her affiliate can help the National Epilepsy Foundation.

Joyce welcomes Marca Bristo, President and CEO of Access Living in Chicago, Illinois. Discussed on the show will be her duties as President and CEO of Access Living, Chicago and her reflections on President Obama signing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities on July 24, 2009, at the White House.