Episodes

The Solutions Marketing Group (www.disability-marketing.com) is a marketing consulting firm dedicated to providing businesses with innovative marketing strategies that target consumers with disabilities. Join Joyce as she welcomes founder and president of SMG, Carmen Jones. Carmen's passion is to create win-win relationships between companies and the disability community.

The "Targit Trainer" exercise machine was created by Marty Hoge's business partner Matt Siaperas, to promote the value of exercise in improving health and fitness, as well as self-esteem for everyone, including people with disabilities. As we learned from Merrill Hoge's last appearance, August 24, 2004, both brothers are proponents of the idea to "Find a Way" to overcome whatever obstacles present themselves in life; this is especially true for people with disabilities.

Joining Joyce is Bill Brenneisen, Vice President of Human Resources at the Institute for Transfusion Medicine (ITxM). Discussed on the show, will be the mission of the Institute, which is to provide a number of clinical, diagnostic, and consulting services to Pittsburgh area hospitals, the Central Blood Bank of Pittsburgh, and the community at large, regarding blood related issues.

David Lepofski, Chair of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee, will be featured with Joyce Bender. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee is a coalition of individuals with disabilities and over 100 disability organizations advocating for enactment and effective implementation of new disability access legislation in Ontario, Canada to achieve a barrier-free Ontario for 1.9 million people with disabilities.

EnabledOnline.com is the online version of the Enabled in Words magazine, a magazine dedicated to the real lives, real victories of people with disabilities. Enabled in Words is tomato soup for when your soul needs something a little different", says Jim Brady, former White House Press Secretary for President Ronald Reagan. Join us as Joyce speaks with Keith Landry, president of EnabledOnline.com.

Joyce welcomes Beth Loy, Ph.D, a Clinical Assistant Professor at West Virginia University, and a Human Factors Consultant, as well as, Linda Carter Batiste, J.D., a Disability Rights Lawyer with the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by: providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and educating...

Featured guests, Judy Painter, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA (EFWCP) and Michael Aggas, a Bender Consulting Services, Inc. employee and Chair of Bender's Annual Fun Run/Walk Committee to benefit the EFWCP. Discussed on the show will be the various programs and services of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central PA, most notably the Foundation's Annual Fun Run/Walk, which is co-sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Team. This year's event will b...

Established in 1993, Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) documents conditions, publishes reports on human rights enforcement, and promotes international oversight of the rights of people with mental disabilities. Joining Joyce is Laurie Ahern, Associate Director of MDRI.

David Tobiczyk, Vice President of Marketing and Development for Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh, joins Joyce. Discussed on the show, will be the mission of Goodwill Industries, as well as the Power of Work Awards. Sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh, the Power of Work Awards honor employers who help people with special needs overcome barriers to employment.

Joining Joyce is Jane Rath, Project Manager for the Employer Assistance and Recruiting Network (EARN). EARN connects employers with workforce talent and solutions. Established in 2001, and sponsored by the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, EARN works through its nationwide network to link employers with educated, motivated, and dedicated employment candidates.

Joining Joyce is Stephen M. Schmerin of the Department of Labor & Industry for the State of Pennsylvania. Secretary Schmerin views the Department of Labor & Industry's mission as a vital role in Governor Rendell's effort to promote the growth of business and the creation of jobs that will place the Commonwealth in position to compete in the global economy.

Joyce interviews Cathy Healy, the Program Officer for the Center for Workforce Preparation (CWP) in Washington, D.C. CWP's mission is to develop workforce strategies for businesses, chambers of commerce, and communities to hire, train, retain, and advance skilled workers in the 21st century.

The Kids Speak Up! Campaign provides an opportunity for young people between the ages of 7 and 16 years of age to go to Washington, D.C. to meet with their elected officials and to help the Foundation present the need for a better public understanding of epilepsy and research toward a cure. Joining Joyce is Nichelle Schoultz, State Relations and Grassroots Manager for the National Epilepsy Foundation and Activities Coordinator for the Speak Up Speak Out advocacy campaign, including Kids Speak Up...

Founded in 1982, the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) represents the interests of 54 million people with disabilities – a large proportion of America's consumers, as well as an untapped labor market. N.O.D. works with business leaders, corporations, associations, and schools to improve work opportunities for Americans with disabilities, who are employed at dramatically lower rates than the non-disabled. Join Joyce and Alan Reich, President of the N.O.D as they discuss the mission of ...

Robert L. Cartlidge, National Tour Director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Bass Tournament, and Paul Julian, employee of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and recent 2nd place winner at the PVA 4th Annual Grand National Bass Fishing Championship in Orlando, Florida join Joyce to discuss this special event.