Disability Matters

Steven James Tingus, M.S.,C. Phil, Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), joins Joyce Bender on "Disability Matters". Tune in as they discuss the mission of the NIDRR. Steven manages all internal and external activities of the Institute, including the research, dissemination and public information programs.

Joyce welcomes Stephanie Walsh, Executive Director of the Center for Victims of Violent Crime in Pittsburgh, PA. Discussed on the show will be the mission and programs of this vital organization.

Murry S. Gerber, President and CEO of Equitable Resources, Inc. and Judy Painter, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA are featured with Joyce Bender on "Disability Matters". Join them as they talk about the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA Mardi Gras fundraising event, Tuesday, February 28, 2005 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mark Nini, volunteer for the national Epilepsy Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Houston affiliate, and Denise Pease, a member of the Board of Directors for the Epilepsy Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of New York City are featured with Joyce Bender.

Jody Winter is the first award winner of the Epilepsy Foundation's 2005 Distinguished Journalism Merit Award. Although the Foundation's distinguished Journalism Awards are traditionally awarded solely to working journalists, and first-person reports by people with epilepsy are normally not considered, the judges this year have made an exception in granting a merit award to Jody Winter, a marketing professional who has epilepsy. Jody is also the founder of Girls Fun Adventures, LLC (girls-fun-adventures.com) based in Minnesota.

Joining Joyce is Gus Siekierka, Corporate Vice President, Human Resources for Computer Sciences Corporation. Since joining CSC in 1973, Mr. Siekierka has managed the full spectrum of human resources functions, including HR strategy, employment, compensation and benefits, human resources development, employment and labor relations and policy formulation.

Mike Simmel, creator of "Mighty Mike Basketball" and member of the Harlem Wizard professional basketball team joins Joyce to discuss his work as a national spokesman for Epilepsy Awareness. He has spoken for the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania's Spring Spectacular in May 2005. He constantly looks to donate his time and talents encouraging and advocating for people, especially children, who have epilepsy and other disabilities.

Joining Joyce is Cheri Ann Blauwet, Paralympic medal winner, medical school student, coach for youth with disabilities and founder of the International Institute for Disability Advocacy. Cheri is the 2004 AAPD Paul Hearne Leadership Award winner and nominee for the 2005 Laureus World Sport Award within the category "World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability".

Joining Joyce is Marcie Roth, Executive Director of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA). Join Joyce & Marcie as they discuss the mission of this organization, and the impact that the recent hurricanes in the Gulf have had on people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.

Joining Joyce is Daniel W. Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Join them as they discuss the need for emergency preparedness on the local, state and national levels, especially in the wake of the recent hurricanes in the Gulf region.