Disability Matters

Joyce’s honored guest is former Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). As we prepare to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2021, the Senator will discuss the journey to get the legislation passed, its importance, and how critical it is to continue advocating for the independence and employment of all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes back to the show, Mick Malec, president, of HM Health Solutions. Mr. Malec will discuss his commitment, as well as the organization's commitment, to the employment of people with disabilities. His leadership is instrumental in the partnership of Highmark with Bender Consulting Services and the success of the employment of people with disabilities within the company.

Joyce welcomes Laura E. Randa, disability advocate and chief commercial officer of Curio Digital Therapeutics, Inc. to the show. The company is focused on pioneering digital health in women's health. Its first product is in the post-partum depression area to help women going through this. She will share the company's important work with this population, and also talk about her advocacy work on behalf of all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes former democratic congressman from California and statesman, The Honorable Tony Coelho, and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to the show. Since we celebrated the 31st anniversary of the signing of the ADA into law, on July 26, 1990 yesterday, Mr. Coelho will share his personal story of living with epilepsy. Also, he will share the steps in the effort to get the ADA signed into law and the progress we have made since the ADA was passed. 31 years ago.

Joyce's honored guest is former Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). As we prepare to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2021, the Senator will discuss the journey to get the legislation passed, its importance, and how critical it is to continue advocating for the independence and employment of all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Tari Hartman, Squire founding CEO of EIN SOF Communications, and Mary E. Dolan, executive director, FDR Memorial Legacy Committee to the show. EIN SOF Communications is a woman-owned small business specializing in disability-inclusive diversity and public policy in strategic marketing the disability community and employment consultation. The mission of the FDR Memorial Legacy Committee s to preserve the memory of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's catalytic involvement in issues of equality and opportunity, as celebrated at the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C. Both guests will share their advocacy work in support the ADA at their respective organizations and their thoughts on the importance of the signing of this landmark legislation into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, and what it has meant to Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes back Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council of Independent Living (NCIL), and Maria Town, the president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and to the show. As our nation prepares to commemorate the 31st Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law by President H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, both guests will reflect on the impact of this landmark legislation on the lives of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Fred J. Maahs Jr., president of FJM Solutions, LLC. FJM Solutions, LLC, offers options for people with disabilities to live and thrive in the community with greater independence. It accomplishes this in several areas including: providing service to corporations, connecting them to experts in the field; offering companies the methodology to build a more inclusive workforce; providing expertise for the travel and tourism industry on accessibility, accommodations and other issues that impact the disability community. It also provides motivational speaking programs to groups and large events. Mr. Maahs is a passionate and recognized leader in the international disability community and in corporate America. He is also a renowned champion for diversity and inclusion. After more than 30 years as a corporate executive, Fred founded Maahs Travels in 2021. As a consultant, he focuses on the under served and underrepresented populations, especially people with disabilities. He is an accessibility travel expert and internationally recognized keynote speaker who finds solutions for "Fostering Inclusion Universally." Joyce is thrilled to have this accomplished advocate for people with disabilities on the show, as he discusses his numerous advocacies for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Denise Triba, chief talent officer with InnovAge to the show. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado., InnovAge offers Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) services in Colorado, California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Virginia., In addition. it also offers home care services for seniors, and owns two affordable senior housing communities in the Denver metro area. Its mission is to allow seniors to live life on their terms – by aging in place, in their own homes and communities, for as long as safely possible. In addition to explaining these services in-depth, Ms. Triba will share the company's commitment to employ people with disabilities to help them carry out this mission.

Joyce welcomes Doris Carson Williams, president and CEO of The African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) to the show. The mission of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania is to continuously improve business and professional opportunities for African American business owners and professionals. Guided by the core values of equity in opportunity, economic advancement, self-sufficiency and entrepreneurial excellence, the organization seeks to advance economic parity for the African American business community by ensuring full participation in the public and private sectors throughout the region. In addition to her duties at the AACC, Ms. Carson Williams is the vice-chair of the Highmark Foundation board of directors, and sits on the Highmark Inc. board. Highmark Health is AHN's parent company. As of August 2020, Ms. Williams was named to AHN's board of directors. She also serves on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. During the show, Ms. Carson Williams will discuss the AACC's commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities as part of that mission.