Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Marcie Roth, the new executive director and CEO of World Institute on Disability (WID) to the show. Ms. Roth will talk about the plans for WID in 2021 and her background in the disability rights community. The World Institute on Disability (WID) was established in 1983 as one of the first global disability rights organizations founded and lead by people with disabilities. WID works to advance the rights of over one billion people with disabilities worldwide.

Joyce welcomes Morgan K. O'Brien, chairman of the board of Watt Fuel Cell Corporation since 2018, to the show. WATT Fuel Cell Corporation is a manufacturer and developer of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell stacks and systems that operate on common, readily available fuels such as propane and natural gas. WATT's proprietary patented additive manufacturing process (AMP) has allowed them to produce commercially viable SOFC products for small scale and remote power applications. Mr. O'Brien will discuss the company's commitment to serve its customers, while maintaining a diverse workforce including people with disabilities.

Joyce is so excited to start 2021 with a champion of competitive employment for Americans with disabilities. David Holmberg, president and CEO of Highmark Health will be her guest. 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. Even during the pandemic, Highmark was able to achieve the goal becoming a national example. During the show, David will talk about the initiative and how it happened. Highmark Health is a $19 Billion-dollar integrated health care delivery organization with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA.

Joyce welcomes back two disability leaders, Maria Town, president and CEO of American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living to the show. The guests will discuss issues, accomplishments, and trends in the community to keep Joyce's listeners apprised of what is happening on a national basis in the area of disability. They will reflect on the past COVID-19 year of 2020 and what to look forward to in 2021.

Joyce welcomes back, Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety the Children's Charity to the show. Variety – the Children's Charity is a non-profit organization that strives to enable children with disabilities to live life to the fullest with a focus on mobility, communication, and social interaction / inclusion throughout 71 counties in PA and WV. They will discuss the programs and services of this non-profit organization, and the importance of giving to this cause during the holiday season.

Joyce welcomes Judith Heumann, internationally recognized leader in the disability rights independent living movement, back to the show. Judy has worked with a wide-range of activist organizations (including the Berkeley Center for Independent Living and the American Association of People with Disabilities), NGOs, and governments since the 1970s and has contributed greatly to the development of human rights legislation and policy benefiting disabled people. Judy will discuss her new book, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, which was published in February 2020.

Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato, executive director of Disability Rights CA ( DRC) to the show. Andy is a highly respected disability rights advocate known nationally and internationally. He served as the CEO of AAPD and CEO of AUCD and worked closely with Senator Harkin. Disability Rights of California is a federally funded legal services agency that serves Californians with all disabilities across the age spectrum. Andy will further explain the mission of the organization and issues that people with disabilities face today, including dealing with COVID-19.

Joyce welcomes Samantha Evans, certification manager, for the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP); Christopher Lee, managing director, IAAP; and Jay Wyant, member of IAAP Global Leadership Council to the show. IAAP's mission is to define, promote and improve the accessibility profession globally through certification, education and networking in order to enable the creation of accessible products, content and services. The guests will discuss the importance of IAAP's commitment to promote vendor responsibilities with respect to digital accessibility for those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem Jelley is the president & CEO of the Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA. to the show. With November as National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Ms. Beem Jelley will talk about the programs and services of the organization to bring greater awareness to epilepsy and how to live with the condition.

Joyce welcomes Mick Malec, president, Highmark Health Solutions and Enterprise Technology Officer, Highmark Health to the show. Mr. Malec will discuss his commitment as well as the organization's commitment to the employment of people with disabilities.