Disability Matters

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 Gerald Homme, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Technology with Bender Consulting Services, Inc. to the show. Bender Consulting Services takes its motto: "Paychecks Not Pity" seriously, and Gerald will be discussing with Joyce the company's aggressive search and recruitment plans for 2024 so that more qualified people with disabilities obtain competitive employment.

Joyce welcomes Bob Kafka, a disability rights leader and former national organizer of American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT) to the show. He will discuss his life-long advocacy on behalf of all Americans with disabilities to live productive lives, independently.

Joyce welcomes back Lachi, recording artist, cultural activist, and go-to voice on disability culture in the music industry through her work on the GRAMMYs Board and as founder of RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities). Joining Lachi, will be Arthur Gwynne, her operations manager, sighted companion, makeup artist, and cane designer. Arthur stepped away from his career in executive search at the AESC to work full time for Lachi. Both guests will discuss how they have made it their mission to break down the silos and barriers between disability-oriented projects and organizations, laying the seeds for a national conversation about disability culture and what inclusion and universal accessible design means at a practical and industrial level.

Joyce is excited to start 2024 with the returning champion of competitive employment for Americans with disabilities, David Holmberg, President, and CEO of Highmark Health and Chairman of the Board, Highmark, Inc. Mr. Holmberg launched an initiative in 2020 to hire 30 people with disabilities from Bender Consulting Services to honor the 30th anniversary of the signing of the ADA, called the Highmark 30/30. He and all of Highmark have continued this practice every year since 2020. During the show, Mr. Holmberg will talk about the initiative and how it happened. Additionally, he will discuss how the company plans to continue its unprecedented record of hiring people with disabilities in 2024. Highmark is a $26 billion blended health organization with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA. Its 42,000 employees serve millions of customers nationwide through the nonprofit organization's affiliated businesses, including Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, HM Insurance Group, United Concordia Dental, and enGen.

Joyce welcomes back to the show, Maria Town, President & CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); Holly O'Donnell, President & CEO, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; and Peri Jude Radecic, CEO, Disability Rights Pennsylvania. The guests will explain what each of their agencies do and discuss the importance of the upcoming 2024 election and the progress of the REV UP campaign to engage voters for 2024 as we approach next year's election.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Cindy Maro from Cranberry Holistic Pet Care in Cranberry, PA. Dr. Maro will discuss the holistic approach to veterinary medicine that her staff practices when treating pets.

Joyce welcomes Steph Andrews, writer, worship leader, and songwriter based in Pittsburgh, PA. Her words, whether sung or written, are rooted in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, a passage that emphasizes the freedom, intimacy, and transformation that is only possible through a relationship with Jesus. She will share her passion for writing and performing music and the role that her faith played in leading her on that career path.

Peri Jude Radecic, CEO of Disability Rights Pennsylvania will host this episode of Disability Matters as she turns the table on Joyce Bender and interviews her in recognition of her 20th Anniversary as host of "Disability Matters with Joyce Bender." Ms. Radecic marks this milestone with an inciteful interview on Ms. Bender's long career and her passion for helping people with disabilities gain independence and freedom through employment and her commitment to disability rights for all people with disabilities.

Pastor Scott Stevens with North Way Christian Community in Wexford, PA is Joyce's honored guest. Pastor Stevens will be discussing the programs and services that the church provides the public during the holidays and year-round and what we as a community can do to help the poor and disadvantaged in our community.