Podcasts about disability matters

Joyce welcomes Prayer Pastor Mary Mercer, Executive Pastor of Ministry, Shannon Libengood, and Digital Director, Amanda Beggs, from North Way Christian Community Church in Wexford, PA to the show. The guests will highlight the programs that this community of faith offers this holiday season and year-round.

Joyce welcomes fellow 2024 Pittsburgh Athena Award nominee, Cathy Battle, to the show. Ms. Battle is the Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, which serves communities in Western Pennsylvania. Ms. Battle will share what it means to her to be the recipient of the 2024 Pittsburgh Athena Award, the unique story of how the diaper bank became a reality, and how it impacts the lives of families in need in our community.

Joyce welcomes Marcie Roth, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Institute on Disability (WID). Each year December 3rd is recognized to promote an understanding of disability issues and to generate support for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. WID helps assure that products and services are more accessible. It also promotes equity policies, provides consulting services, offers training and tools. WID also supports emergency, disaster, and climate efforts. Ms. Roth will be discussing their mission and International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).

Joyce welcomes Nikki Lancaster Alphonse, Sr. Director Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Northrop Grumman Corporation. Ms. Alphonse will discuss her work with Northrop Grumman and the company's commitment to a diverse workforce including people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Kerry McQuone, Board Member of the Epilepsy Association of Western/Central PA (EAWCP) and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at GrayMatter, an industrial technology and consulting company with offices throughout the United States. Ms. McQuone will discuss her work at GrayMatter and her work with EAWCP.

As we continue to recognize November as National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Joyce welcomes Dr. James Valeriano, Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Valeriano is a sought-after speaker and expert on neurological issues and epilepsy. During the show he will discuss his career and the latest advances in the treatment of epilepsy.

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Association of Western/Central PA (EAWCP), to the show. They will be discussing the latest accomplishments of the EAWCP, as well as the plans for the Mardi Gras Gala in March 2025.

Joyce welcomes Taryn Mackenzie Williams, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, to the show. In this position, Ms. Mackenzie advises the Secretary of Labor on how the Department's policies and programs impact the employment of people with disabilities and leads the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). ODEP works with employers and all levels of government to promote evidence-based policy that improves employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities. She will share her unique role with listeners.

Joyce welcomes Mick Malec, CEO, enGen and Enterprise Technology and Operations Officer, Highmark Health, back to the show. enGen's dynamic ecosystem of smart automation and technology supports streamline complex operations for health plans and their provider partners. Founded in 2014 as HM Health Solutions (HMHS), enGen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Highmark Health. enGen has more than 3,500 employees and works with health care plans serving more than 10 million members nationwide. Mr. Malec will discuss enGen's continued commitment to hire people with disabilities as part of a diverse workforce.

To kick-off National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN, and The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the show. Disability:IN is a global, non-profit, non-partisan business to business network empowering businesses to achieve disability equality and inclusion. The guests will highlight the progress we have made in disability employment and the historic collaboration between Bender Consulting Services, the first certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE), and Disability:IN.

Joyce welcomes Connie Feda, Proprietor and Co-founder of Cookie Cookie Ice Cream in Kennedy Township, PA. Discussed on the show will be the partnership between Cookie Cookie Ice Cream and Bender Leadership Academy to enhance the lives of young adults with disabilities. Ms. Freda will share the unique hiring program for young people with disabilities to prepare them for the world of work and her support of the various programs of the Bender Leadership Academy.

To kick-off National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN, and The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the show. Disability:IN is a global, non-profit, non-partisan business to business network empowering businesses to achieve disability equality and inclusion. The guests will highlight the progress we have made in disability employment and the historic collaboration between Bender Consulting Services, the first certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE), and Disability:IN.

To kick-off National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN, and The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act to the show. Disability:IN is a global, non-profit, non-partisan business to business network empowering businesses to achieve disability equality and inclusion. The guests will highlight the progress we have made in disability employment and the historic collaboration between Bender Consulting Services, the first certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE), and Disability:IN.

Joyce welcomes disability advocates Janni Lehrer-Stein and Ondréa Burton to the show. The topic discussed will be “The disability community realizing the power of the vote.”

In recognition of February being Black History Month, Joyce welcomes Nedra Dickson, international/national business leader and disability advocate to the show. Ms. Dickson is Managing Director, Global Supplier Inclusion and Sustainability Programs across 20 countries at Accenture. Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all these services. Ms. Dickson will discuss innovative employment methods for people with disabilities and her advocacy work to on behalf of all African Americans and unemployed.

Joyce is proud to have back Highmark Health's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Karen Hanlon. She will explain her commitment to hiring people with disabilities as a diverse part of their workforce.

Joyce welcomes Mark Johnson back to the show. Mark is a life-long disability advocate and a founder of American Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation and American Disabled Attendant Program (ADAPT). Mark will share his commitment to advocacy for Americans with disabilities even in retirement. He will share his past work with the Shepherd Center and his current involvement with the Disability Rights Museum Group.

Joyce welcomes John Register, award-winning inspirational/motivational speaker, author, and two-time Paralympic Silver Medalist, back to the show. From Paris at the 2024 Paralympic Games, John will share his passion for public speaking to inspire people to overcome adversity and be successful despite obstacles that they face.

Joyce welcomes Steve Nolder, Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Global Communications, and Kaylene Ritchie, Talent Management & Diversity Supervisor, at Calgon Carbon Corporation to the show. The guests will share how Calgon Carbon Corporation of Pittsburgh supports the efforts of the Bender Leadership Academy's Mary Brougher Mental Health Initiative.

Joyce welcomes Edwin Black the award-winning, New York Times bestselling international investigative author of 215 editions in 20 languages in 190 countries back to the show. His books including IBM and the Holocaust, War Against the Weak, The Farhud, Financing the Flames, to name a few. During the show, he will discuss his vast number of investigative books, and his career-long commitment to expose corruption and injustice to all, including those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Hannah Smith, a passionate children's book author and dedicated advocate for the celiac and food allergy communities. Through her inspiring journey and heartfelt stories, Ms. Smith empowers children to embrace their unique identities and teaches the importance of inclusion and compassion. She will share her own diagnosis of Celiac and tell how it led her to a gluten-free diet to manage her condition.

Joyce welcomes Holly O'Donnell, CEO, and Megan Schuller, Legal Director, at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law to the show. They will discuss the mission and accomplishments that the Bazelon Center has made for those living with mental health disabilities.

As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, Joyce takes time to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Judy Heumann a major American disability rights leader and activist. Originally aired: December 15, 2020, Joyce welcomes Judith Heumann, internationally recognized leader in the disability rights independent living movement, to the show. Judy worked with a wide range of activist organizations (including the Berkeley Center for Independent Living and the American Association of People with Disabilities), NGOs, and governments since the 1970s and has contributed greatly to the development of human rights legislation and policy benefiting disabled people. Judy discusses her new book, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, which was published in February 2020.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profits that educate, employ, and empower children and adults with disabilities. Dr. Rosa will share his passion for the mission of this organization and illustrate how they help uphold the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Joyce welcomes back to the show, Maria Town, President & CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). As we continue commemorating the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2024, Ms. Town will review the ways in which the AAPD works to uphold the ADA and fights for the rights of all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act. As we approach the 34th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2024, Mr. Coelho will share the history of how the ADA came to be and share work that still needs done to improve the lives of people with disabilities 34 years after the landmark legislation became law of the land.

Joyce welcomes back, Peri Jude Radecic, Chief Executive Officer of Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP). DRP helps people with disabilities in many areas such as abuse and neglect, access to community services, discrimination, ADA compliance issues, education, assistive technology, voting access, and access to Medical Assistance services. They help people with developmental disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities, brain injury, and people in mental health recovery. The hour will be devoted to expanding Peri's weekly report on the latest advocacy accomplishments of Disability Rights Pennsylvania.

In recognition of Pride Month, Joyce welcomes Jonathan Capehart, Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist and Television Commentator, Associate Editor of “The Washington Post,” and anchor of “The Saturday/Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart” on MSNBC and Jason Mida, President and CEO of Mida Associates, to the show. The guests will be celebrating June as Pride Month and sharing their personal stories with listeners.

Joyce is proud to have back Highmark Health's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Karen Hanlon. She will explain her commitment to hiring people with disabilities as a diverse part of their workforce.

Joyce is proud to have back Highmark Health's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Karen Hanlon. She will explain her commitment to hiring people with disabilities as a diverse part of their workforce.

Joyce welcomes Diego Mariscal, CEO and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether-International, a nonprofit organization that develops advocacy campaigns to empower and unify young people with disabilities. Mr. Mariscal uses communication technology to engage youth with and without disabilities around issues such as education, employment, and entrepreneurship. He will share his passion for helping those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Chris Soukup, CEO of Communication Services for the Deaf. Mr. Soukup, a 2001 graduate of Gallaudet University, has held diverse and progressively responsible positions with CSD since the mid-1990s. Since 2005, he has been a member of CSD's executive leadership team and was appointed by the CSD Board of Directors to lead this organization as chief executive officer in 2014. He will discuss how this organization makes communication access a top priority for the deaf community.

Joyce welcomes Diego Mariscal, CEO and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether-International, a nonprofit organization that develops advocacy campaigns to empower and unify young people with disabilities. Mr. Mariscal uses communication technology to engage youth with and without disabilities around issues such as education, employment, and entrepreneurship. He will share his passion for helping those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Diego Mariscal, CEO and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether-International, a nonprofit organization that develops advocacy campaigns to empower and unify young people with disabilities. Mr. Mariscal uses communication technology to engage youth with and without disabilities around issues such as education, employment, and entrepreneurship. He will share his passion for helping those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Technology with Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Scott Hammerstrom, Manager of Programs and Partnerships for the Bender Leadership Academy to the show. Mr. Homme will discuss the wide range of competitive career opportunities that are available for job seekers with disabilities through Bender Consulting Services Inc. and share what factors make Bender Consulting stand apart from other recruiting firms. Mr. Hammerstrom will share an update on the programs offered through the Bender Leadership Academy to high school students with disabilities, including an update on #NotAshamed, a mental health awareness campaign.

Joyce welcomes Tracy Saula, Senior Vice President and Chief Product and Experience Officer at Highmark Health to the show. Ms. Saula will discuss her role within the organization further and the wide range of products and services that Highmark Health provides to its customers, including those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Holly O'Donnell, CEO, at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law to the show. Ms. O'Donnell will discuss the mission and accomplishments that the Bazelon Center has made for those living with mental health disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Olivia Dunn, Procurement Manager-Supplier Diversity, and Laurinda Thomas, Senior Director of Sourcing within Global Procurement, at ADP. They will share ADP's commitment to a workforce that includes people with disabilities and the importance of diversity within the supply chain.

Joyce welcomes Kathryn Zox, host of the VoiceAmerica's The Kathryn Zox Show, to Disability Matters. Ms. Zox is informative and fun and opens the mic with conversations that women need to hear. The Kathryn Zox Show is savvy and relationship oriented. Ms. Zox has counseled hundreds of women and their families who have suffered from eating disorders, addiction problems, marital, family, and geriatric issues as well as persons coping with mental and physical disabilities. Ms. Zox will share her passion for her work with the audience.

Last week, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters heard evidence from a number of people with disabilities and the barriers they face, some being credited to government regulations. One of the people there was David Digon, and he joins Seán to discuss.

Joyce welcomes Steve Nolder, Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Global Communications, and Kaylene Ritchie, Talent Management & Diversity Supervisor, at Calgon Carbon Corporation to the show. The guests will share how Calgon Carbon Corporation of Pittsburgh supports the efforts of the Bender Leadership Academy's Mary Brougher Mental Health Initiative.

Joyce welcomes Steve Nolder, Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Global Communications, and Kaylene Ritchie, Talent Management & Diversity Supervisor, at Calgon Carbon Corporation to the show. The guests will share how Calgon Carbon Corporation of Pittsburgh supports the efforts of the Bender Leadership Academy's Mary Brougher Mental Health Initiative.

Joyce welcomes Brittany Bullock, Relationship Marketing Specialist with ABLEnow. The show will be explaining tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities. For too long, Americans with disabilities could not save or invest for the future. Advocates fought hard to change this, resulting in a grassroots movement that changed the law, so people with disabilities can achieve a better life experience. ABLEnow accounts help eligible individuals save for the future, without endangering certain disability benefits that are critical for health and independence.

Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, President and CEO, and Colleen Fulkerson, Special Events Coordinator, for the Epilepsy Association of Western and Central Pennsylvania (EAWCP). Also joining Joyce will be Logan Huwalt, a Baldwin-Whitehall student living with epilepsy, an advocate for people living with epilepsy who is working hard to raise funds for the EAWCP. Annually, March 26th is Epilepsy Awareness Purple Day; therefore, on this day, the guests reflect on the work of the EAWCP and their continued goal to bring awareness of epilepsy and help people live with it.

Joyce welcomes Danielle Filip, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Sign Language Interpreting Professionals (SLIP), back to the show. She will discuss Act 57, Pennsylvania's interpreting legislation. Ms. Filip is working on this legislative initiative with State Representatives, Arvind Venkat and Rob Mercuri. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that Pennsylvania has enough trained interpreters to cover the communication needs of all Pennsylvanians who are deaf.

Joyce will be joined by the Honorable Tony Coelho, Author of the America's with Disabilities Act, and the Honorable Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation. Ms. Jarrett will discuss her feelings about receiving the prestigious Tony Coelho award, recognizing her work in furthering the employment of people with disabilities in America.

Joyce will be joined by the Honorable Tony Coelho, Author of the America's with Disabilities Act, and the Honorable Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation. Ms. Jarrett will discuss her feelings about receiving the prestigious Tony Coelho award, recognizing her work in furthering the employment of people with disabilities in America.

Joyce welcomes Rabbi Daniel J. Fellman, Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, to the show. They will discuss the healing process after the tragic event that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 27, 2018. Rabbi Fellman will also discuss what they are doing at Temple Sinai to be more inclusive of the Jewish population of people with disabilities and share the purpose of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) and how it was celebrated in February.

Joyce welcomes Rabbi Daniel J. Fellman, Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, to the show. They will discuss the healing process after the tragic event that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 27, 2018. Rabbi Fellman will also discuss what they are doing at Temple Sinai to be more inclusive of the Jewish population of people with disabilities and share the purpose of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) and how it was celebrated in February.

Joyce welcomes Kerry Stith, PNC Bank's Accessibility Director, to the show. Mr. Stith will explain his long history working for disability awareness and advocacy at PNC Bank and his work with Disability:IN's Accessibility Leadership Committee.