Episodes

In honor of the 26th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act this month, Joyce welcomes Judith Heumann, an internationally recognized leader in the disability community and a lifelong civil rights advocate.

Joyce welcomes Curtis L. Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network the nation’s largest non-governmental enforcer of disability rights

Joyce welcomes Joanne Lara, MA Adjunct Faculty at National University, and founder of Autism Movement Therapy (AMT). Ms. Laura who is also a professional dancer,has dedicated herself to improving the lives of individuals with autism through movement and music. Her advocacy has led to founding the nonprofit organization Autism Movement Therapy® based in Los Angeles, California. Th e organization has received two Autism Speaks grants, Ms. Laura will discuss the mission of Autism Movement Therapy a...

Joyce welcomes Managing Director of Resource Development at American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS). Curtis Ramsey-Lucas provides oversight for the development of Missional Life and Leadership Resources. He assists the Associate Executive Director in providing oversight and supervision to seven executive staff members who serve as national coordinators for Discipleship Resource Development; Justice for Children/Christian Center Relations; Evangelism and New Church Planting; Refugee Reset...

Joyce welcomes Michael Murray, chief operating officer, for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to the show. The AAPD is the nation's largest cross-disability organization. It promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Members of AAPD include people with disabilities and their family members, friends, and supporters. Mr. Murray will discuss his plans for the organization since becoming chief op...

Joyce welcomes Mary Esther Van Shura, Director of Community Affairs with the Allegheny County Office of the Chief Executive and Heather Sedlacko, Director of Programs for Seniors and People with Disabilities for the United Way of Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh PA. The guests will discuss their roles in the respective organizations and the partnership between the United Way and the Office of the Chief Executive on two specific initiatives--the 21& Able Program and the Career Transition Project. ...

Joyce welcomes Steven Van Wyk, executive vice-president and head of technology and operations, with The PNC Financial Services Group, to the show. Mr. Van Wyk will discuss the commitment at PNC from the top management, and throughout the organization to hire people with disabilities to enhance their workforce. He will also share his background in Denmark and explain its views on employing people with disabilities and how that is different from the United States.

Joyce welcomes Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President of RespectAbility USA. RespectAbility USA is a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream. Ms. Mizrahi works regularly with disability organizations, national, state and local policy leaders, workforce development professionals, media, employers, philanthropists, celebrities and faith-based organizations to expand opportunities for people with disabilities. The show will discuss the mission of...

Joyce welcomes Katya Hill, director of the AAC Institute. Established in 2000, the AAC Institute is a resource for all who are interested in enhancing the communication of people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Organized as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization, the AAC Institute offers information and provides services worldwide. The AAC Institute promotes the goals of AAC, the AAC Rules of Commitment, and evidence-based AAC clinical practice. This missi...

Joyce welcomes Bob Kafka, national organizer, and ADAPT co-director, Institute for Disability Access. ADAPT is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom. Mr. Kafka will discuss the advocacy of ADAPT in-depth.

Joyce welcomes Wynne Fedele, director of Development and Nancy Mimless, instructor, from the Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh. They will be discussing the New Horizon Program with the CLO, New Horizons, a musical theater training program for children and adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities, offers students the opportunity to take center stage in fun-filled acting, dance and vocal classes — each in one weeknight or weekend day. The program is fueled by the idea that there is no ...

Joyce welcomes Dan McCoy, 2014 United States Paralympic Gold Medalist for the Sled Hockey Team to the show. Dan will discuss his lifelong love for the sport and how he took that commitment to a new level to reach his goal to win the Gold Medal in 2014. He will share how reaching his goals has improved his confidence and impacted his life.

Joyce welcomes former Pittsburgh Steelers all-pro linebacker, Robin Cole to the show. Mr. Cole is the founder of the Obediah Cole Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to prostate cancer education, awareness, and early detection. Mr. Cole will discuss his journey with the disease, his survival, and the mission of this organization in depth.

Joyce welcomes John Register to the show. Owner of Inspired Communications International, LLC, John has never allowed adversity hold him back. He hurdled his adversity in leaps and bounds, and challenges his audiences to do the same as they create their new normal. During the show, John will share his amazing journey from All-American track star to amputee to Paralympics medalist and the events that have led him to motivate and inspire other people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Christine Griffin, chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities to the show.

Joyce welcomes Mindy Scheier, founder of Runway of Dreams; Richard L. Schatzberg, Chief Commercial Officer- Nest Technologies; and John Kemp, president and CEO of the Viscardi Center to the show. These guests will discuss the mission of Runway of Dreams, which is a nonprofit organization that works with the fashion industry to adapt mainstream clothing for people with disabilities. By applying adaptive design and wearable technology to existing brand name collections, Runway of Dreams is making ...

Joyce welcomes Brad Henderson president of the Pittsburgh Kids Foundation. The Pittsburgh Kids Foundation (PFK) helps churches and others working with youth to be more effective and strategic in their efforts. The PKF builds a community of youth pastors through monthly city-wide meetings and other intentional programs. The PKF collaborates with youth pastors to operate outreach retreats and camps for middle and high school students. Mr. Henderson will discuss the mission of this organization and...

Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, president and CEO of Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central (EFWP) PA. Ms. Beem-Jelley The 22nd Annual Mardi Gras Gala black tie event was held on February 9, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Both guests will discuss the event. Mr. O’Brien from the perspective of being “King of the 2016 Mardi Gras” and Peggy Beem-Jelley, from the perspective of how the event will helps the EFWP achieve its goals.

Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, chairman of the Bender Lead On Team and Ginny Emerson, mother of the late, Sam Miller. The Bender Lead On Team aids youth in the areas of setting career goals and championing anti-bullying efforts. Working in high schools and on college campuses, members encourage young people with disabilities to set goals that align with competitive career opportunities. The Bender Lead On Team provides a forum for young people with disabilities to speak out about instances of bull...

Joyce welcomes back, Kevin Bales, world-renowned author, expert on modern slavery, and co-founder of Free the Slaves, the U.S. organization of Anti-Slavery International (the world's oldest human rights organization). Mr. Bales will discuss the latest information in modern slavery and his new book, Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecocide, and the Secret to Changing the World”

Joyce welcomes nationally acclaimed youth motivator, comedian and keynote speaker, Michael Pritchard to the show. Pritchard began his career on both the comedy stage and as a juvenile counselor in San Francisco's Youth Guidance Center. In 1980, he won first place in the San Francisco International Stand-Up Comedy Competition as well as winning the prestigious California Probation Officer of the Year. Offers from Hollywood rolled in including a guest appearance on an Emmy Award winning episode of...

Joyce welcomes Daniel Lombardo, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. The organization provides community-based assistance to populations in need so that they can lead self-fulfilled, independent lives. It strives to be recognized as a catalyst for transforming the lives and circumstances of individuals, families and communities. Mr. Lombardo will discuss this mission in depth.

Joyce welcomes Nancy D. Chiaravalloti, Ph.D, director of the Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory and Traumatic Brain Injury Laboratory; Glenn Wylie, associate director of both the Neuroimaging Center and Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research; and Denise Krch, Ph.D. research scientist in the Traumatic Brain Injury Laboratory at the Kessler Foundation Research Center. Each guest, will discuss the world-class research and services of this rehabilitation facility, and the outreach on the...

Joyce welcomes Namel “Tapwaterz” Norris and Ricardo “Rickfire” Velasquez of 4 Wheel City. This is an entertainment organization started by the two talented hip-hop artists and motivational speakers. Both are wheelchair users due to gun violence; the two men came together with this common history to start a new mission. 4 Wheel City uses hip-hop music and culture to create more opportunities for people with disabilities, inspire people not to give up in life, and to show the world that people wit...