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Episode Directory
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- 8/3/2010: Audrey Russo Listen Now
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“In Remembrance”
Joyce welcomes members of the band “In Remembrance”. The band performed at the 2010 National Epilepsy Walk in Washington, D.C. as Nick Harris, the band’s original drummer is living with epilepsy. Through music, the band seeks to remind its audience that fallen soldiers are our country’s heroes and should never be forgotten. This is a message inspired by the death of Capt. Brian S. Letendre (the older brother of lead singer Nick Letendre), who lost his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom on May 3, 2006. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jim Abrahams
Joyce welcomes Jim Abrahams to the show, who is an American film writer, director, and producer. Mr. Abrahams is also the co-founder, and executive director of the Charlie Foundation, which was established in 1994 in order to raise awareness about the ketogenic diet as a treatment for childhood epilepsy. The modern success of the diet has led to new demands on the medical community. In order to meet these demands, the Charlie Foundation has expanded its priorities to include educational programs for dietitians and neurologists as well as support for clinicians and researchers working to perfect its administration. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Susan Axelrod
Joyce’s honored guest is Susan Axelrod, president and founding member of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE). In 1998, Axelrod and two other mothers, frustrated with their inability to protect their children from the devastation of uncontrollable seizures and the side effects of medications, joined forces to spearhead the search for a cure for epilepsy. Mrs. Axelrod is also the wife of David Axelrod, senior advisor to President Obama. Discussed on the show will be her commitment to finding a cure and for increasing public awareness of epilepsy through the use of the media, as she did on the October 25, 2009 episode of 60 Minutes. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Allison Baker
Joyce welcomes Joseph LaMountain, Director of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Epilepsy Foundation, and two students from the Kids Speak Up Campaign, Jonathan McCalla, and Allison Baker. They will discuss the campaign, which brings together kids with epilepsy with U.S. congressmen. The group urges members of Congress to help secure a better future for children with seizures by supporting federally funded medical research, programs that improve access to appropriate care, and public health education to reduce discrimination against people with epilepsy. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Bill Baldwin
Joyce welcomes Bill Baldwin and Christina Coulston, two high school students from Fox Chapel School District who recently participated in the Bender Leadership Academy. The class prepares high school students with disabilities for the world of work. Bill and Christina will both share what they learned in the class, and how they will apply it to their future career plans. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kevin Bales
Joyce welcomes Dr. Kevin Bales, world renowned author, expert on modern slavery, and president of Free the Slaves, the US sister organization of Anti-Slavery International (the world’s oldest human rights organization). He will discuss how we can end slavery and human trafficking. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Samir Bangalore
Joyce welcomes Dr. Samir Bangalore to the show. Affiliated with Sunrise Hospital Medical Center, in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Bangalore is a specialist in Neurology including experience with epilepsy. In addition, he has won numerous awards including the Patients' Choice Award. He will discuss his expertise with epilepsy, and the importance of increasing the awareness of epilepsy to help individuals who are living with it. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Stephen Bennett
Joyce welcomes Stephen Bennett, president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy, (UCP). He will discuss the mission, programs and services of this organization. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Edwin Black
Edwin Black, author of War Against the Weak and Peter Demas, and Justin Strawhand, producer and director respectively of the film, War Against the Weak. They will discuss these works, which highlight the history of the American eugenics movement. The film is the winner of the 2009 Beverly Hills Film Festival Award for best feature film. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Marca Bristo
Joyce welcomes Marca Bristo, President and CEO of Access Living in Chicago, Illinois. Discussed on the show will be her duties as President and CEO of Access Living, Chicago and her reflections on President Obama signing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities on July 24, 2009, at the White House. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Suzanne W. Broadhurst
Suzanne W. “Suzy” Broadhurst, active Western Pennsylvania public service volunteer View Guest page
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Kelly Buckland
Joyce welcomes back Kelly Buckland, Executive Director of the National Council of Independent Living (NCIL), from his earlier July 7, 2009, visit on the show. The discussion will center around a celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and what the ADA means to the independent living centers across the United States. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Lawrence Carter-Long
Joyce welcomes Lawrence Carter-Long, executive director of Disability Network of NYC. He will discuss his work with this non-profit organization, which brings people, government and industry together to find solutions to the problems faced by New Yorkers with physical, visual and hearing disabilities. The organization strives for full inclusion of people with disabilities into the vast civic, social and economic life of New York City. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jeanette Chelius
Joyce welcomes Jeanette Chelius, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania. Discussed on the show will be the goals that this affiliate has achieved and set for itself. In addition, Ms. Chelius will share her perspective on issues faced by people with epilepsy in her community – from employment to medication. Finally, she will share her commitment to helping the National Epilepsy Foundation meet its goals. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Tony Coelho
Joyce welcomes Tony Coelho, the author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a major supporter of the ADA Amendments Act, signed by President Bush on September 25, 2008. Among topics discussed will be the recent activity associated with passing this piece of legislation, the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, on July 26, 1990, and his New York Law School Lecture Series. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Raymond Comenzo
Joyce welcomes Amy Hawthorne and Dr. Raymond Comenzo, Medical Director of the Blood Bank, Stem Cell Processing Laboratory; The Neely Cell Therapy and Collection Center at Tufts Medical Center, and an attending physician in the Division of Hematology-Oncology, and Departments of Medicine and Pathology. Dr. Comenzo has a large active clinical practice devoted exclusively to patients with plasma cell disorders such as multiple myeloma and systemic light-chain amyloidosis (AL), and also sees many patients with other forms of amyloidosis often because their diagnosis is unclear. They will discuss their personal experience with amyloidosis and its effects not only on the people diagnosed, but their family as well. Also discussed will be the mission of the Amyloidosis Foundation. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Scott Cooper
Joyce welcomes Scott Cooper, Founder of the It’s Our Story project at, http://dmi-us.blogspot.com. Scott will discuss the creation of this blog and project. Scott is on a one year journey of America adding new voices and images to the DMI archives that currently house over 785 video portraits and 4,000 images. After 18 months of interviews and another 18 months of organizing, 548 voices are ready to be transcribed, encoded, and engineered into an accessible website that truly will free the voices of Americans with disabilities telling their story of living with a disability in time for the 2010 Anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Michael Couch
Joyce welcomes Michael Couch, President of Michael Couch & Associates Inc., a versatile consulting practice focused on dramatically improving the capability of organizations, teams, and individuals. Discussed on the show will be the mission of this consulting company and its commitment to encouraging a diverse workforce which, includes people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Christina Coulston
Joyce welcomes Bill Baldwin and Christina Coulston, two high school students from Fox Chapel School District who recently participated in the Bender Leadership Academy. The class prepares high school students with disabilities for the world of work. Bill and Christina will both share what they learned in the class, and how they will apply it to their future career plans. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Carolyn Crates
Joyce welcomes Jane Orringer, Carolyn Crates, and Chris Cugini, high school students with disabilities from Fox Chapel High School in Pittsburgh, PA, who were part of 2008-2009 Bender Student Leadership Academy. This program is taught by Joyce Bender, in partnership with Bayer Corporation. Discussed on the show will be this unique program, which prepares students with disabilities for the world of work. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Crosby Cromwell
Joyce welcomes Crosby Cromwell, senior manager of Corporate Affairs at Wal-Mart. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Chris Cugini
Joyce welcomes Jane Orringer, Carolyn Crates, and Chris Cugini, high school students with disabilities from Fox Chapel High School in Pittsburgh, PA, who were part of 2008-2009 Bender Student Leadership Academy. This program is taught by Joyce Bender, in partnership with Bayer Corporation. Discussed on the show will be this unique program, which prepares students with disabilities for the world of work. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kareem Dale
Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to President Obama for Disability Policy. A range of topics will be discussed on the show, including October as National Disability Awareness Month, reflecting on the meaning of the Americans with Disability Act to Americans with disabilities and the Obama Administration’s commitment to hiring Americans with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Mary Davis
Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Mary Davis, vice president, IT Infrastructure Solutions for CSC. They will discuss the upcoming conference on employment of people with disabilities on November 8, 2010 sponsored by CSC and the events of Disability Mentoring Day, October 20, 2010. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Peter Demas
Edwin Black, author of War Against the Weak and Peter Demas, and Justin Strawhand, producer and director respectively of the film, War Against the Weak. They will discuss these works, which highlight the history of the American eugenics movement. The film is the winner of the 2009 Beverly Hills Film Festival Award for best feature film. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Roger DeRose
Joyce welcomes Carol Glazer, president of the National Organization on Disability (NOD), Roger DeRose, president of Kessler Foundation, Elaine Katz, vice president of Grant Programs and Special Initiatives at Kessler Foundation and Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll, a service of Harris Interactive. Discussed on the show, will be an in-depth look at the missions of both organizations. The NOD promotes employment and the full participation of America’s 54 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life; while the mission of Kessler Foundation is to improve quality of life for people with disabilities through discovery, innovation, demonstration, application and dissemination. The organization’s vision is to be a leader in rehabilitation research and grant making to improve independence and productivity for people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Don Dew
The Joyce welcomes Don Dew president and founder of ReachOutUSA, a Kansas-based organization that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual disabled people in the United States. ReachOutUSA provides services for this population of Americans, as well as trainings for agencies and businesses to the show. He will discuss the motivations surrounding his decision to start this organization and the problems that this group face in obtaining services in the social service arena. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Ryan Dillon
Joyce welcomes Ryan Dillon, who is living with epilepsy, and a member of the Epilepsy Foundation’s national board. After moving to our nation’s capitol to serve as a congressional aide, Ryan finally brought his seizures into the light, by embracing epilepsy and using his experiences to empower others and help raise awareness. As a result of a 5 minute seizure in July 2008, Ryan chose to speak out on the subject, in hopes of raising awareness. Ryan encourages those with epilepsy to tell their story and not be ashamed; he believes everyone with epilepsy can live a normal life. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kevin Epling
Joyce welcomes Kevin Epling, co-director of Bully Police USA, a watch-dog organization - advocating for bullied children and reporting on state anti-bullying laws. He is also legislative liaison for Bully Police Michigan, a speaker, and consultant on bullying laws and issues. Mr. Epling knows first-hand about the effects that Bullycide has on families, as his own son, Matthew, committed suicide in the summer of 2002, 40 days after a hazing incident at his high school. This incident has charged Kevin Epling and his wife, Tammy with making sure other children are safe from bullying, hazing and harassment in Michigan schools. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Evan Frazier
Joyce welcomes Evan Frazier, senior vice president of Community Affairs for Highmark Inc. Discussed on the show will be Highmark’s commitment to hiring people with disabilities, community diversity, and its stance on bullying of young people, including those with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Philip M. Gattone
Joyce welcomes Philip M. Gattone, M.Ed., President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. He will discuss the mission of this affiliate and his personal commitment to helping people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Carol Glazer
Joyce welcomes Carol Glazer, president of the National Organization on Disability (NOD), Roger DeRose, president of Kessler Foundation, Elaine Katz, vice president of Grant Programs and Special Initiatives at Kessler Foundation and Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll, a service of Harris Interactive. Discussed on the show, will be an in-depth look at the missions of both organizations. The NOD promotes employment and the full participation of America’s 54 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life; while the mission of Kessler Foundation is to improve quality of life for people with disabilities through discovery, innovation, demonstration, application and dissemination. The organization’s vision is to be a leader in rehabilitation research and grant making to improve independence and productivity for people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Arlene Gorelick
Joyce welcomes Arlene Gorelick, president of the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan since 1989, to the show. Ms. Gorelick will discuss the current mission and goals of this affiliate, as well as the accomplishments this organization has made to bring awareness and assistance to those with epilepsy in Michigan under her leadership. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Debbie Goss
Joyce welcomes Debbie Goss, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Chicago, who will discuss the mission of this organization and explain what they are doing to end the stigma associated with epilepsy. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Christine M. Griffin
Joyce welcomes Christine M. Griffin, Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She will discuss her work as Commissioner of the EEOC. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Lee Grossman
Joyce welcomes Lee Grossman, president of the Autism Society of America (ASA), who will discuss in depth the mission of this organization that was founded in 1965. The ASA's goal is to increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by people with autism as well as their families. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Greg Grunberg
Greg Grunberg, Hollywood actor, and star of HEROES, ALIAS and FELICITY, who will discuss TalkAbout It.org. Mr. Grunberg created this website, and public awareness campaign in collaboration with the Epilepsy Foundation, which unites Hollywood celebrities and top health care experts to end the misperceptions and misunderstanding about epilepsy and seizure disorders. Mr. Grunberg, whose eldest son has epilepsy, has dedicated his time, energy, and passion to working toward ending the stigma around epilepsy and bringing public focus on the need to find a cure. -Plays a character who can read minds and control people's thoughts on NBC’s HEROES. -Son Jake, was diagnosed with epilepsy at age seven. Recent brain surgery reduced his seizures to one every few weeks as opposed to every day. -Chair of the National Epilepsy Walk held March 28, 2009, in Washington DC. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Robert David Hall
Joyce welcomes actor and disability advocate, Robert David Hall of CBS “CSI: Criminal Scene Investigation whose other credits include recurring roles in "The Practice" and "L.A. Law" and guest-starring roles in "The West Wing," and on CBS, "Touched by an Angel," "Brooklyn South" and "Promised Land." Mr. Hall will be discussing the April 30, 2009, episode, which will revolve around his character, “Albert Robbins”. He will also be discussing living with a disability and his advocacy work on behalf of other actors with disabilities as national chair of the Performers with Disabilities committees of both the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA. He also serves as national chairman of the Performers with Disabilities Caucus for SAG, AFTRA and Equity. Additionally, he will discuss his work as a devoted community activist, serving on the board of directors of the National Organization on Disability. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Senator Tom Harkin
Joyce’s honored guest will be Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) of the United States Senate. Senator Harkin will discuss his distinguished career in public service, and his commitment to helping people with disabilities live independent lives through his work in the U.S. Senate. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Seth Harris
Joyce’s honored guest is United States Department of Labor Deputy Secretary Seth Harris. He will discuss the Obama Administration’s commitment to increasing the employment of people with disabilities within the private sector, and federal government. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Amy Hawthorne
Joyce welcomes Amy Hawthorne and Dr. Raymond Comenzo, Medical Director of the Blood Bank, Stem Cell Processing Laboratory; The Neely Cell Therapy and Collection Center at Tufts Medical Center, and an attending physician in the Division of Hematology-Oncology, and Departments of Medicine and Pathology. Dr. Comenzo has a large active clinical practice devoted exclusively to patients with plasma cell disorders such as multiple myeloma and systemic light-chain amyloidosis (AL), and also sees many patients with other forms of amyloidosis often because their diagnosis is unclear. They will discuss their personal experience with amyloidosis and its effects not only on the people diagnosed, but their family as well. Also discussed will be the mission of the Amyloidosis Foundation. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Brenda High
Joyce welcomes Brenda High, author of Bullycide In America, and founder of Bully Police USA, a watch-dog organization - advocating for bullied children and reporting on state anti-bullying laws. She will discuss in depth, the origin of the creation of her book, this organization and of www.jaredstory.com. Brenda’s son Jared committed Bullycide as a result of being beaten up and bullied at school. In addition she will discuss ways that the problem of Bullycide is being addressed across the country. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Celia Hindes
Joyce welcomes Celia Hindes, executive director of Variety the Children’s Charity in Pittsburgh, PA. The topic will be the mission and programs of this non-profit agency dedicated to enriching the lives of children with disabilities throughout Southwestern, PA. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Neva Hirschkorn
Neva Hirschkorn, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California to the show. Discussed on the show will be the goals that this affiliate has achieved and set for itself. In addition, Ms. Hirschkorn will share her perspective on issues faced by people with epilepsy in her community. She will also reflect on how her affiliate can help the National Epilepsy Foundation. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Gerald Homme
Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, chairman of the Bender Lead On Team and two other members of this youth-run advocacy group, Laura Thien, and Staci Foster. They will discuss in depth, the mission of the Bender Lead On Team. Through respect, determination, and unity this team will aid our youth in the advocacy of individuals with disabilities, particularly in the field of employment, anti-bullying, and college support. The group is led by, comprised of, and run by people with disabilities who will break through the adult-filter and become self-advocates and leaders within our communities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Andy Imparato
Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato, president and CEO, of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). He will be discussing the mission and goals of the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizing the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Elaine Katz
Joyce welcomes Carol Glazer, president of the National Organization on Disability (NOD), Roger DeRose, president of Kessler Foundation, Elaine Katz, vice president of Grant Programs and Special Initiatives at Kessler Foundation and Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll, a service of Harris Interactive. Discussed on the show, will be an in-depth look at the missions of both organizations. The NOD promotes employment and the full participation of America’s 54 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life; while the mission of Kessler Foundation is to improve quality of life for people with disabilities through discovery, innovation, demonstration, application and dissemination. The organization’s vision is to be a leader in rehabilitation research and grant making to improve independence and productivity for people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jonathan J. Kaufman
Joyce welcomes the President and Disability Strategist, for disabilityworks, Inc., Jonathan J. Kaufman. As a person with Cerebral Palsy, Mr. Kaufman will discuss the mission of his consulting firm, which helps corporations, government agencies and educational institutions develop strategies and initiatives that add value to those institutions and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. In addition, he will discuss his other advocacy work in support of advancing independence for all people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Lewis Kull
In memoriam of the late Lewis Kull, member of the Board of Directors of ABRET, Joyce will replay the March 18, 2008 show of “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender” with him and Janice Walbert, Executive Director. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Dr. Ann Kulze
Dr. Ann Kulze, nationally recognized expert and motivational speaker in the areas of nutrition, healthy lifestyles and disease prevention View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Joseph LaMountain
Joyce welcomes Joseph LaMountain, Director of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Epilepsy Foundation, and two students from the Kids Speak Up Campaign, Jonathan McCalla, and Allison Baker. They will discuss the campaign, which brings together kids with epilepsy with U.S. congressmen. The group urges members of Congress to help secure a better future for children with seizures by supporting federally funded medical research, programs that improve access to appropriate care, and public health education to reduce discrimination against people with epilepsy. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Madonna Long
Joyce welcomes Madonna Long, Managing Editor of Chloe Magazine Online. Ms. Long will discuss the mission of this full scale women's magazine for women who are disabled published with the intent to showcase the positive impact that that women with disabilities are having in the workforce and in the community. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kathy Martinez
Joyce’s honored guest is Kathy Martinez, United States Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in the Department of Labor. During the show Assistant Secretary Martinez will share what it means to her to have been selected by President Obama for this new role within ODEP. Additionally, she will discuss how she believes she will be able to work within the Obama Administration to increase employment for Americans with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jeannie Maul
Ms. Maul is Vice President and Global Account Executive for the DuPont account as part of CSC’s Managed Services Sector with Global Responsibility for New Business Development, Account Performance, Marketing and Financial Management to DuPont. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jonathan McCalla
Joyce welcomes Joseph LaMountain, Director of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Epilepsy Foundation, and two students from the Kids Speak Up Campaign, Jonathan McCalla, and Allison Baker. They will discuss the campaign, which brings together kids with epilepsy with U.S. congressmen. The group urges members of Congress to help secure a better future for children with seizures by supporting federally funded medical research, programs that improve access to appropriate care, and public health education to reduce discrimination against people with epilepsy. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Julie McCawley
Joyce welcomes Julie McCawley , an 11th grade youth leader with the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Foundation (SJS). Discussed on the show will be her leadership role, how she deals with bullying in school, and her recent luncheon with Michelle Obama. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Robert F. Norton
Joyce welcomes COL Robert F. Norton, USA-Ret., deputy director Government Relations, for Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). He will discuss the mission of MOAA, which is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. MOAA's highest priority is providing first-class service to its members. They are the leading voice on compensation and benefit matters for all members of the military community. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Jane Orringer
Joyce welcomes Jane Orringer, Carolyn Crates, and Chris Cugini, high school students with disabilities from Fox Chapel High School in Pittsburgh, PA, who were part of 2008-2009 Bender Student Leadership Academy. This program is taught by Joyce Bender, in partnership with Bayer Corporation. Discussed on the show will be this unique program, which prepares students with disabilities for the world of work. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Geoff Pope
Joyce’s honored guest is Geoff Pope, cornerback, NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. Geoff will discuss his off the field charity work with the National Epilepsy Foundation and his personal reason for getting involved to inspire those with epilepsy to persevere and live independent lives. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Gail Pundsack
Joyce welcomes Gail Pundsack, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation in Colorado. Ms. Pundsack will discuss the mission and programs of this affiliate. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Audrey Russo
Joyce welcomes Audrey Russo, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Discussed on the show will be the mission of this organization, as well as the ways in which the group gets involved in the business community to foster and encourage the hiring of people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kristin Schkade
Joyce welcomes Kristin Schkade, Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation’s National Youth Council, which is comprised of 10 young adults, ages 18 to 24 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the epilepsy community. Ms. Schkade will discuss her experience on the council and her work as manager of the Epilepsy Foundation’s Texas youth camps. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Steven B. Shivak
Joyce welcomes Steven B. Shivak, executive director of the American Diabetes Association of Western Pennsylvania. Among the topics discussed on the show will be the fact that diabetes is considered a disability and as such, is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also discussed will be the rise in cases of diabetes among children and youth and what can be done to change this alarming trend. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Darius Weems and Logan Smalley
Darius Weems and Producer/Director, Logan Smalley, discuss the documentary Darius Goes West. The documentary revolves around Darius, a teenager with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, who, because of his disease, had never left his hometown of Athens, Georgia. Therefore, in the summer of 2005, with the help of eleven young friends, Darius sets off on a road trip across the United States, testing wheelchair accessibility, with the ultimate goal of reaching Los Angeles in the hopes of funding Darius’ wheelchair customizations from an appearance on MTV View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Brien Smith
Joyce welcomes chair-elect of the National Epilepsy Foundation, Brien Smith, M.D., Director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Smith will discuss his current service on the Epilepsy Foundation Board of Directors, and is the current treasurer of the National Board of Directors, as well as chair-elect of the National Professional Advisory Board. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Joel Snyder
Joyce welcomes Joel Snyder, founder, president, and CEO of Audio Description Associates. He is currently serving as the Director of the American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) new Audio Description Project, designed to boost awareness of description in all formats throughout the United States and establish ACB as a leading producer of broadcast media description. He will discuss his work in depth. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Donna Stahlhut
Joyce welcomes Donna Stahlhut, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas (Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth). During the show she will discuss the ways in which this chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation is helping those with epilepsy live with this disability and how the chapter is helping to end the stigma that is associated with epilepsy. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Justin Strawhand
Edwin Black, author of War Against the Weak and Peter Demas, and Justin Strawhand, producer and director respectively of the film, War Against the Weak. They will discuss these works, which highlight the history of the American eugenics movement. The film is the winner of the 2009 Beverly Hills Film Festival Award for best feature film. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Humphrey Taylor
Joyce welcomes Carol Glazer, president of the National Organization on Disability (NOD), Roger DeRose, president of Kessler Foundation, Elaine Katz, vice president of Grant Programs and Special Initiatives at Kessler Foundation and Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll, a service of Harris Interactive. Discussed on the show, will be an in-depth look at the missions of both organizations. The NOD promotes employment and the full participation of America’s 54 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life; while the mission of Kessler Foundation is to improve quality of life for people with disabilities through discovery, innovation, demonstration, application and dissemination. The organization’s vision is to be a leader in rehabilitation research and grant making to improve independence and productivity for people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Dick Thornburgh
Joyce welcomes former Governor of Pennsylvania and Attorney General of the United States, Dick Thornburgh and his wife Ginny Thornburgh to the show. The Thornburgh’s will share their impressions of the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Ginny Thornburgh
Joyce’s honored guest is Ginny Thornburgh, director of the Interfaith Initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The initiative’s mission is to support people with disabilities and their families as they seek spiritual and religious access. She will discuss her work with this project, and a life long career as an advocate for people with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Joe Valenzano
Joe Valenzano, president and CEO of Exceptional Parent Global Communications (EPGC), Inc., discusses his advocacy work through the magazine to help parents of children with disabilities. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Janice Walbert
In memoriam of the late Lewis Kull, member of the Board of Directors of ABRET, Joyce will replay the March 18, 2008 show of “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender” with him and Janice Walbert, Executive Director. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Stephanie L. Walsh, MSW, LSW
Joyce welcomes Stephanie L. Walsh, MSW, LSW, executive director of The Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC), in Pittsburgh, PA. Discussed on the show will be the mission of the CVVC, which is a community-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to healing trauma, resolving conflict, and ending violence. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Kathy West
Joyce welcomes Kathy West, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. Ms. West will discuss the mission and programs of this affiliate. View Guest page
Episode Listing:
Show Links
Audrey Russo
August 3, 2010
Hosted by Joyce Bender
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Joyce welcomes Audrey Russo, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Discussed on the show will be the mission of this organization, as well as the ways in which the group gets involved in the business community to foster and encourage the hiring of people with disabilities.
Disability Matters
Tuesday at 11 AM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
Competitive employment for people with disabilities is the emphasis of this show. Broadcast live and captioned in real time for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, we discuss how people with disabilities can secure career opportunities as well as gain independence and freedom.
Joyce Bender
Joyce A. Bender is the CEO and Founder of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., and Bender Consulting Services of Canada, Inc. These companies provide technology consulting services to their customers and competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. As well, Joyce is the CEO of Bender and Associates International, Inc., an executive search firm that has over 25 years of experience specializing in technology and management search. In 2003, Joyce was selected as a New Freedom Initiative Award winner. Received from Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, this award is given to those who have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment objectives of George W. Bush’s New Freedom Initiative. In 1999, Joyce was selected as the President’s Award winner. To see Real-time Captioning during the live show, click here.
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