Episodes

Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, (AAPD) as her guest. Discussed on the show will be the mission of this national advocacy group, and its efforts to get the Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act passed in Congress. Also discussed will be his selection as Chair of the Ticket to Work and Initiatives Advisory Panel to the Social Security Administration.

Mr. Rob Mitlo, Director of Operations for Transport U, Inc., will be the featured guest on “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender” on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 from 2 PM to 3 PM eastern time. Discussed on the show will be this Pittsburgh-based company’s mission which is dedicated to providing transportation, and home accessibility services to people with disabilities.

Joan Stein, Founder and President of Accessibility Development Associates, Inc. (ADA, Inc.) will be featured with Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters” on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 from 2 PM to 3 PM eastern time. Discussed on the show will be emergency preparedness and accessibility issues as they pertain to people with disabilities.

IDAR Dart, daughter of the late Disability Rights Leader, Justin Dart, will be discussing her father’s life-long mission to ensure that people with disabilities obtain civil rights.

Mr. Mark Boxer, president & CEO of WellPoint’s Operations, Technology and Government Services Business Unit for WellPoint, Inc. will be discussing the company’s commitment to hire qualified people with disabilities.

Cheryl Sensenbrenner, Chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), discusses this role within the organization, and her efforts to help shape disability policy.

Mr. Bollinger, former deputy executive director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) from 1992 to 2006 will be featured with Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters” on July 10, 2007. Discussed on the show will be paralyzed veterans issues and AAPD’s VALUE program.

Joyce welcomes Bob Kafka, civil rights champion for Americans with disabilities and national organizer ADAPT. Bob will discuss the founding of the organization and its efforts to ensure the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Mark Johnson, Director of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. Mark will discuss being the recipient of 2007 The Henry B. Betts Award.

Back by popular demand, “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender” will rebroadcast Alan Faneca, Left Guard for the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Discussed on the show was his volunteer work with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA (EFWCP) and his personal experiences, as a person with epilepsy. The show was originally broadcast on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.

Erin Riehle, Founder and Senior Director of Project Search, discusses this Cincinnati, Ohio based non-profit organization, which was among the 2004 winners of the New Freedom Initiative Award. This award is given annually by the U.S. Department of Labor to businesses and people that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment and workplace environment for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Linda Dickerson, an accomplished civic leader, business advisor and non-profit consultant, in Pittsburgh, PA to the show. She will discuss her March 2007 appointment as CEO of the National Aviary.

Joyce welcomes Russ Holt, Founder and President of Access Information, Inc. Discussed on the show will be the mission of the organization which is devoted to information on the accessibility of restaurants and transportation in the Washington, DC metro area.

Joyce welcomes Greg Babe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bayer MaterialScience, LLC, to the show. They will discuss his recent acceptance of the 2006 Tony Coelho Award, for his efforts to employ people with disabilities

Joyce welcomes Jim Glatch, Coach of the Edinboro University of PA Wheelchair Basketball Team and team member Jose Leep. Discussed on the show will be this athletic program for Edinboro students with disabilities.

Carl Robert Lee, Communications Lead for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Washington, DC and Adjunct Professor of Mass Communication at George Mason University and Shepherd University will discuss “the road to success” in finding employment for a person with a disability.

Joyce welcomes TyKiah Wright, Executive Director and Founder of Wright Choice, Inc., The organization places students in internships in the Central Ohio area, and the organization is looking to expand its services to Southwestern Ohio. Ms. Wright will be discussing their DiversABILITY Employment Summit to be held at The Ohio State University’s Fawcett Center in October 18, 2007.

Joyce welcomes John Lancaster, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living. He will discuss issues facing people with disabilities in the areas housing, transportation, and employment.

Joyce welcomes Paul J. Tobin, President and CEO of United Spinal Association. He will discuss the mission of the organization and how the organization strives to improve the quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries.

Joyce welcomes Jim Ward, Founder and President of ADA Watch and the National Coalition of Disability Rights (NCDR), will discuss the “Road to Freedom” bus tour.

Joyce welcomes Eric Hargis, President and CEO of the National Epilepsy Foundation, to the show to discuss the Washington, DC Epilepsy Walk planned for Saturday, March 31, 2007.

Claiborne (Clay) Haughton, Jr., Retired Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Equal Opportunity, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and nationally known motivational speaker discusses his life and how he dedicated his life to helping people with disabilities gain equality.

Nichelle Schoultz, State Relations and Grassroots Manager for the National Epilepsy Foundation of America and Activities Coordinator for the Speak Up Speak Out advocacy campaign, including Kids Speak Up!, will be featured with Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters” on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, from 2 PM to 3 PM eastern time. Also on the show will be student participants in the Kids Speak Up! Campaign. They will be discussing the mission of the program.

Kevin Bales, 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and President of Free the Slaves, the U.S. Sister organization on Anti-Slavery International, will be featured with Joyce Bender on “Disability Matters” on Tuesday, February 27, 2007, from 2 PM to 3 PM eastern time. Discussed on the show will be his book, Disposable People: New Slavery in a Global Economy. This is fitting, as February 27, 2007, is Anti-Slavery Day. We thought the attached press release would interest you.