Episodes

Guest Michael Hmel, Senior Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer for FedEx Ground joins Joyce to talk about the successful business partnership between Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and FedEx Ground.

Joining Joyce is John Walsh, vice president of United States Federal Service Delivery and chief information officer for CSC's Federal Sector. Discussed on the show is the successful partnership between Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Computer Sciences Corporation’s (CSC) Federal Sector.

The African-American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, (AACC) is the leading private sector advocate for black-owned businesses in the Delaware Valley. The AACC is comprised of members that have an interest in the establishment and growth of black-owned businesses in the Delaware valley, with a goal of ensuring the overall improvement of economic conditions within the regional African-American community. Join Joyce as she talks with Doris Carson Williams, President o...

Rory A. Cooper, Ph.D, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Chair and professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology and Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh joins Joyce. Discussed on the show is the mission of the VA Center for wheelchairs and associated Rehabilitation Engineering, as well as, innovation in assistive technology.

Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) will be featured with Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters”. On the show, Mr. Bennett discusses the mission, programs, and services of UCP.

Stanley A. Holbrook, President and CEO of Three Rivers Center for Independent Living (TRCIL), joins Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters”. During the show Mr. Holbrook discusses the mission of TRCIL.

Linda Dickerson, author of the children’s book “Lavi the Lion Finds His Pride” joins Joyce. Linda discusses her book which is an engaging tale of Lavi, an enterprising young lion, whose madcap adventures from Africa to Pittsburgh should entertain young readers, especially Pittsburghers. Lavi is looking for a family (a pride) and eventually finds it with the “cubs” at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children.

Joan M. McGovern, Vice President within the Employee Relations unit and head of the Access Ability Resource Center for JPMorgan Chase, is featured with Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters”. Discussed on the show are the steps that JPMorgan Chase has taken to ensure its commitment to conducting business without barriers for its employees with disabilities.

Steven James Tingus, M.S.,C. Phil, Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), joins Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters”. Tune in as they discuss the mission of the NIDRR. Steven manages all internal and external activities of the Institute, including the research, dissemination and public information programs.

Joyce welcomes Stephanie Walsh, Executive Director of the Center for Victims of Violent Crime in Pittsburgh, PA. Discussed on the show will be the mission and programs of this vital organization.

Murry S. Gerber, President and CEO of Equitable Resources, Inc. and Judy Painter, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA are featured with Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters”. Join them as they talk about the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA Mardi Gras fundraising event, Tuesday, February 28, 2005 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mark Nini, volunteer for the national Epilepsy Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Houston affiliate, and Denise Pease, a member of the Board of Directors for the Epilepsy Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of New York City are featured with Joyce Bender.

Jody Winter is the first award winner of the Epilepsy Foundation’s 2005 Distinguished Journalism Merit Award. Although the Foundation's distinguished Journalism Awards are traditionally awarded solely to working journalists, and first-person reports by people with epilepsy are normally not considered, the judges this year have made an exception in granting a merit award to Jody Winter, a marketing professional who has epilepsy. Jody is also the founder of Girls Fun Adventures, LLC (girls-fun-adv...

Joining Joyce is Gus Siekierka, Corporate Vice President, Human Resources for Computer Sciences Corporation. Since joining CSC in 1973, Mr. Siekierka has managed the full spectrum of human resources functions, including HR strategy, employment, compensation and benefits, human resources development, employment and labor relations and policy formulation.

Mike Simmel, creator of “Mighty Mike Basketball” and member of the Harlem Wizard professional basketball team joins Joyce to discuss his work as a national spokesman for Epilepsy Awareness. He has spoken for the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania's Spring Spectacular in May 2005. He constantly looks to donate his time and talents encouraging and advocating for people, especially children, who have epilepsy and other disabilities.

Joining Joyce is Cheri Ann Blauwet, Paralympic medal winner, medical school student, coach for youth with disabilities and founder of the International Institute for Disability Advocacy. Cheri is the 2004 AAPD Paul Hearne Leadership Award winner and nominee for the 2005 Laureus World Sport Award within the category “World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability”.

Joining Joyce is Marcie Roth, Executive Director of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA). Join Joyce & Marcie as they discuss the mission of this organization, and the impact that the recent hurricanes in the Gulf have had on people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.

Joining Joyce is Daniel W. Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Join them as they discuss the need for emergency preparedness on the local, state and national levels, especially in the wake of the recent hurricanes in the Gulf region.

Helen Roth, CEO and Owner of HCR Disability Consulting in Logan, Utah joins Joyce to talk about the mission of her consulting firm. The mission of her consulting firm is to obtain and fulfill contracts to undertake disability research, media presentations, training, technical assistance and a variety of other disability-related professional tasks.

John Lancaster, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) will make his second appearance with Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters”. Join us as we discuss the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Independent Living Centers in Biloxi, MS and New Orleans, LA.

The United States Business Leadership Network and the NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, in conjunction with the United States Chamber of Commerce, gave its CEO Leadership 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Jay Van Vechten, past president and founder of Van Vechten & Company. The award was presented in recognition of Van Vechten's efforts to raise awareness about the special needs of people with disabilities.

Joining Joyce is Dan Rossi, associate executive director of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Pittsburgh to discuss their 13th Annual Community Heroes Dinner, held on October 5, 2005 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA.

In November 2005 Business Leadership Network chapters and employers across the US join together for a 3 day event which provides networking, education and resources related to the business case for employment of people with disabilities and marketing to customers with disabilities. Attendees typically include employers whose corporate policies include workers and customers with disabilities and those that want a good resource for starting to develop best disability practices. Join Joyce as she t...

Ralph Baker, Vice President Finance & Administration for the Federal Sector of Computer Sciences Corporation joins Joyce.