Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Kathy Martinez, Senior Vice President, Disability Market Segment & Strategy, Wells Fargo Bank to the show. Ms. Martinez is a former U.S. Assistant Secretary at the Department of Labor, in the Office of Disability Employment Policy. In her current role, she works with line of business leaders and channel leaders, and network of Wells Fargo team members with disabilities, as well as customers, communities, and advocacy groups to expand the company's capabilities and programs dedicated to serving customers with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Jennifer Sheehy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at U.S. Department of Labor to the show. ODEP is the only non-regulatory federal agency that promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities. Ms. Sheehy will discuss the mission of ODEP to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Jennifer Cobb, Director, Diversity Products at Cox Communications to the show. Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone, and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video, and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Ms. Cobb will discuss the mission of the organization and explain how her team works collaboratively with other groups in the organization to develop and deliver products and services to meet the needs of all customers, including those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). NCIL is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States. Discussed on the show will be the mission of NCIL.

Joyce welcomes Kurt Kondrich, father of a beautiful daughter, Chloe, who was born with Down syndrome. Kurt became aware of the 90+ percent abortion rate for children diagnosed with Down syndrome before birth. He embarked on a mission to be a loud voice for children like Chloe and make sure people see abilities and what a precious gift these individuals are. He will discuss how he speaks frequently to policymakers, community groups, students, and church leaders about the silent prenatal eugenic movement against children diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome.

Joyce welcomes David L. Casey. vice president, Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer at CVS Health to the show. CVS Health is a national leader in pharmacy innovation. A Fortune 7 company with net revenues of over $140 billion and approximately 240,000 employees throughout the United States, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. Mr. Casey will discuss CVS Health's commitment to hire people with disabilities as part of its diverse workforce.

Joyce welcomes Regina Heyward, senior vice president and head of Supplier Diversity at Wells Fargo & Company and board member of U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) This financial institution is a diversified, community-based financial services company that was founded in in 1852 and is 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.

Joyce welcomes Jenny Lay-Flurrie, chief accessibility officer at Microsoft, leading efforts to drive great products, services, and websites that empower people and organizations to achieve more. Ms. Lay-Flurrie will discuss how her team is at the forefront of creating positive experiences that apply technology to make a difference in the world and the lives of individuals—from how we hire and support people with disabilities in employment to innovative technology that aims to revolutionize what is possible for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Jill Houghton, president and CEO of the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN). The USBLN embraces the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor force and marketplace; assists in career preparation for, and employment of, people with disabilities; improves customer experiences for people with disabilities; and promotes the certification and growth of disability-owned business enterprises. Ms. Houghton will discuss the USBLN Disability Supplier Diversity Program (DSDP) and the upcoming USBLN Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada July 9-12, 2018.

Joyce welcomes Jeffrey Hawting, president of LC Industries to the show. Mr. Hawting will discuss the mission of LC Industries to provide meaningful employment for people who are blind. As one of the nation's largest employers of individuals who are blind, the focus of LC Industries is to offer opportunities, skills, and training to people living with blindness and vision disabilities to help them cultivate a job into a rewarding career. Since 1936, the core of LC Industries has been manufacturing, but through the years this non-profit corporation has continued to grow and evolve into a multi-faceted entity. Today, LC Industries business capabilities range from manufacturing and distribution to retail and e-commerce. Headquartered in Durham, NC, LC Industries operates two distribution centers, four e-commerce websites, six manufacturing facilities, and over 35 retail stores on military bases across the United States.