Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA to the show. In recognition of November as National Epilepsy Awareness Month, discussed on the show will be the programs and services of this local association for people living with epilepsy.

Joyce welcomes best-selling novelist and disability advocate Karin Slaughter; Gerald Homme, recruitment specialist with Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and chair of the Bender Lead-On Team; and Sherry Lapaglia, manager of Talent Programs for Bender Consulting Services, Inc to the show. Discussed on the show will be the mission of the Bender Leadership Academy and its partnership with New York Times bestselling novelist, Karin Slaughter, to bring awareness and propose action to end stigma of all people, including people with disabilities. The We Will Slaughter Stigma Campaign is geared toward educating the community about misconceptions and bias, while taking positive actions to end stigma.

Joyce welcomes Randy Dearth, president and CEO of GCP Applied Technologies to the show. The company is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and sells chemicals and materials used in construction, as well as sealants and coatings used in packaging. Mr. Dearth will discuss the corporate-wide commitment that he and all levels of the organization have toward a diverse workforce including people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Sara Oliver-Carter, Duquesne Light Company's (DLC) first chief diversity officer to the show. Ms. Oliver-Carter joined the energy provider on August 19, 2019 and is responsible for creating and advancing DLC's diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy and associated initiatives. She will explain her vision for the company moving forward.

Joyce welcomes Scott Hammerstrom and Jill Zomp from Bender Consulting Services, Inc. to the show. The guests coordinate Disability Mentoring Day in Pittsburgh, PA with the largest participation of companies and high school students in the country. The show will be a discussion of Disability Mentoring Day in the United States and the positive impact that the day has on high school students with disabilities. This show is great to listen to if you want information about planning for Disability Mentoring Day for 2020.

Joyce welcomes Karen Hanlon, executive vice president and COO of Highmark Health, Inc. Ms. Hanlon will discuss her new role as COO. In addition, she will also discuss the corporate culture that David Holmberg, CEO has instilled throughout the organization, as well as the leadership beliefs she instills in her leadership team. Ms. Hanlon will explain why she believes Highmark Health is committed to an inclusive company for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Dina L. Clark, head of diversity and inclusion for North America, Covestro. The company is among the world's largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. During the show, Ms Clark will share her vision for the company and explain the commitment that Covestro has from the top with management on down to a diverse workforce including employees with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN, formerly known as the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN). Disability:IN and Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) to the show. They will discuss the origin of October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Joyce welcomes Marca Bristo, board president of United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD), to the show. Ms. Bristo will discuss the organization's mission, to catalyze and help focus the energy, expertise and resources of the US disability community and the US government to optimize their impact on improving the lives of and circumstances of people with disabilities worldwide. She will also discuss the organization's commitment to the disability community in Japan, as they recover from the recent earthquake; and her lifelong work as a leader in the disability rights movement.

Joyce welcomes Lou Orslene, co-director of the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. Mr. Orslene will explain his role and the mission of the organization.