Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Robert Wong, CEO of Control Bionics to the show. The mission of this company is enabling communication for people living with paralysis or loss of speech. The company has developed a truly innovative way to accomplish this. It's greatest reward is returning the joy of communication to people who have lost their ability to communicate. Mr. Wong will discuss the various products and services provided for this population.

Joyce welcomes Regina Heyward, senior vice president and head of supplier diversity at Wells Fargo and Company. Founded in 1852, this financial institution is a diversified, community-based financial services company. Headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,600 locations. Ms. Heyward will discuss this company's commitment to a diversified workforce, including hiring individual with disabilities and her commitment to as vice-chair of Disability:IN

Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, product manager of Bender's Careers 2B competency-based workforce development program, Leanne Thomas, account manager for Bender Consulting Services, Inc., and Jenny Homme, business analyst with Highmark Health Solutions to the show. Each guest will explain their role in the Careers 2B program, which is designed to increase the professional level experience and marketability of early career professionals with disabilities. Founded in conjunction with Bayer Corporation and Bayer MaterialScience LLC (now Covestro) the objective of Careers2B is for people with disabilities to gain the work experience required to increase their marketability to prospective employers. Careers2B addresses the lack of work experience that has been identified as a major and systemic barrier to employment for individuals with disabilities. Each guest will share how they got involved in the disability community and in advancing the mission the Careers 2B program.

Joyce welcomes Jennifer Mathis, deputy legal director and director of Policy and Legal Advocacy of the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. She engages in litigation and policy advocacy to promote community integration of individuals with mental disabilities, other non-discrimination work under the ADA and Section 504, and the Medicaid rights of adults and children with disabilities. During the show Ms. Mathis will explain her duties in-depth.

Joyce welcomes Claiborne Haughton, president and CEO of Haughton Group, LLC to the show. In addition, Mr. Haughton is a motivational speaker and Equal Opportunity Diversity Consultant. He will explain his duties in each capacity and explain why he is known as father of the United States Department of Defense Program for individuals with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato,executive director of The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). AUCD is a membership organization that supports and promotes a national network of university-based interdisciplinary programs. Members consist of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Programs, and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRC). These programs serve and are located in every U.S. state and territory and are all part of universities or medical centers. They serve as a bridge between the university and the community, bringing together the resources of both to achieve meaningful change. Mr. Imparato, will discuss the mission of the organization in deptth.

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, former democratic congressman from California and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the show. As we get ready to celebrate the 28rd anniversary of the signing of the ADA into law, on July 26, 1990, Mr. Coelho will discuss the progress we have made since the ADA was passed, but he will also discuss the dangers facing the ADA if HR 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 passes the U.S. Senate, and what we can do to prevent its passage.

Joyce welcomes back to the show, legendary morning radio host and story-teller, Jack Bogut. During the holiday season, Mr. Bogut will share more heart-warming stories of his experiences in broadcasting first with KDKA Radio and its Children’s Hospital Campaign, then his work with the Make-A-Wish Campaign in Pittsburgh while working with Wish 99.7-FM WSHH.

Joyce welcomes Joan D' Alessandro, founder of Christopher's Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to feeding the caregivers of children admitted to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Christopher's Kitchen is committed to helping families and caregivers take care of themselves, so they can better comfort those around them.

Joyce welcomes Pastor Scott Stevens, the directional leader, overseeing Campus Pastors and the Teaching Team at North Way Christian Community to the show. Pastor Stevens will discuss the importance of giving back to the less fortunate during this time of year and year-round. In doing so, he will share the programs and services his church provides the community all year long.