Episodes

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.

Joyce welcomes Jeanette Chelius, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania. Discussed on the show will be the goals that this affiliate has achieved and set for itself. In addition, Ms. Chelius will share her perspective on issues faced by people with epilepsy in her community – from employment to medication. Finally, she will share her commitment to helping the National Epilepsy Foundation meet its goals.

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 Tony Coelho, newly elected board chairman of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the major sponsor of the ADA Amendments Act, signed by President Bush on September 25, 2008, and in effect as of January 1, 2009. Among topics discussed will be his work to pass this piece of legislation, the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, on July 26, 1990, and his New York Law School Lec...

Joyce welcomes back Kelly Buckland, Executive Director of the National Council of Independent Living (NCIL), from his earlier July 7, 2009, visit on the show. The discussion will center around a celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and what the ADA means to the independent living centers across the United States.

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 Joel Snyder, founder, president, and CEO of Audio Description Associates. He is currently serving as the Director of the American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) new Audio Description Project, designed to boost awareness of description in all formats throughout the United States and establish ACB as a leading producer of broadcast media description. He will discuss his work in depth.

Joyce welcomes Kathy West, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. Ms. West will discuss the mission and programs of this affiliate.

Joyce welcomes Joseph LaMountain, Director of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Epilepsy Foundation, and two students from the Kids Speak Up Campaign, Jonathan McCalla, and Allison Baker. They will discuss the campaign, which brings together kids with epilepsy with U.S. congressmen. The group urges members of Congress to help secure a better future for children with seizures by supporting federally funded medical research, programs that improve access to appropriate care, and public health ed...

Joyce welcomes Lee Grossman, president of the Autism Society of America (ASA), who will discuss in depth the mission of this organization that was founded in 1965. The ASA's goal is to increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by people with autism as well as their families.

Joyce welcomes Jane Orringer, Carolyn Crates, and Chris Cugini, high school students with disabilities from Fox Chapel High School in Pittsburgh, PA, who were part of 2008-2009 Bender Student Leadership Academy. This program is taught by Joyce Bender, in partnership with Bayer Corporation. Discussed on the show will be this unique program, which prepares students with disabilities for the world of work.

Joyce welcomes Scott Cooper, Founder of the It’s Our Story project at, dmi-us.blogspot.com. Scott will discuss the creation of this blog and project. Scott is on a one year journey of America adding new voices and images to the DMI archives that currently house over 785 video portraits and 4,000 images. After 18 months of interviews and another 18 months of organizing, 548 voices are ready to be transcribed, encoded, and engineered into an accessible website that truly will free the voices of Am...

In memoriam of the late Lewis Kull, member of the Board of Directors of ABRET, Joyce will replay the March 18, 2008 show of “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender” with him and Janice Walbert, Executive Director.

Joyce welcomes the President and Disability Strategist, for disabilityworks, Inc., Jonathan J. Kaufman. As a person with Cerebral Palsy, Mr. Kaufman will discuss the mission of his consulting firm, which helps corporations, government agencies and educational institutions develop strategies and initiatives that add value to those institutions and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. In addition, he will discuss his other advocacy work in support of advancing independence for...