July 22, 2025

Senator Tom Harkin: Reflects on Significance of 35th Anniversary of Signing of the ADA and What Commitment Remains to Advance the Lives of Americans with Disabilities

Senator Tom Harkin: Reflects on Significance of 35th Anniversary of Signing of the ADA and What Commitment Remains to Advance the Lives of Americans with Disabilities
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As part of Disability Pride Month, Joyce welcomes former Senator Tom Harkin back to the show. Senator Harkin will reflect on the significance of the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. 
 
Senator Harkin will share his thoughts on the work that still needs done to advance the lives of Americans with disabilities. Also, he will discuss the work of the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement which exists to inform citizens, inspire creative cooperation, and catalyze changes on issues of social justice, fairness, and opportunity.

Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights

  • Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities.
  • Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution.
  • Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
  • Recipient of the 2024 Visionary Award from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, DC.
    Lives with epilepsy and hard of hearing.
  • Advocates for competitive employment for people with disabilities.
  • Serves as vice-chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and former chair of the board. 
  • Represented the State Department in programming with Panama, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Libya, and Tunisia.
  • Serves as chair of Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA.
  • Received the 2003 New Freedom Initiative Award from the Bush Administration.
  • Recognized with the 1999 President’s Award from President Clinton.
  • Board member of Pittsburgh’s Civic Light Opera, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and World Institute on Disability (WID).