Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Debra Ruh, chief executive officer of Ruh Global Communications, a technology, strategic communications, and digital marketing firm helping corporations strategically include people with disabilities. The firm allows organizations to connect with and integrate the community of people with disabilities, their families, and other stakeholders, including Wounded Warriors and baby boomers who are acquiring disabilities for the first time in their lives.

Joyce welcomes Jeff Fields, site manager for World Vision's Global Distribution Center in Sewickley, PA. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tracking the causes of poverty and injustice. Mr. Fields will discuss the programs of World Vision, and how important it is for people to support the organization and get involved, not only during the holidays, but year-round as well.

Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelley, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania (EFWCP) to the show. Ms. Beem-Jelley will share information about epilepsy including what it is and the different types of seizures people may experience. Also Ms. Beem-Jelley will discuss the programs and services her organization provides to support people and families living with epilepsy.

Joyce welcomes disability leader, Christine Griffin, and executive director of the Disability Law Center of Massachusetts to the show. Also included will be Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act. They will discuss the future for people with disabilities in 2017 and beyond.

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, former California congressman and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He will discuss his personal journey with epilepsy and the importance of increasing understanding about epilepsy during National Epilepsy Awareness Month.

Joyce welcomes Peri Jude Radecic, chief executive officer of the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. During the show, Ms. Radecic will discuss the mission of the organization in depth, which is to advance, protect, and advocate for the human, civil, and legal rights of Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes disability leader, Christine Griffin, and executive director of the Disability Law Center of Massachusetts to the show. Also included will be Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act. They will discuss the future for people with disabilities in 2017 and beyond.

Joyce welcomes disability advocate, Anastasia Somoza, speaker during the first night of the Democratic National Convention on July 26, 2016. Ms. Somoza gave the delegates and convention viewers a moving speech on Americans with disabilities. Miss Somoza was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia from birth and uses a wheelchair. She has been an advocate for people with disabilities since the 1990’s. In 1993, she appeared at a town-hall meeting for kids and asked President Bill Clinton a question. From there, she interned for Hilary Clinton in her U.S. Senate Office and worked on Clinton’s 2000 campaign for the US Senate. Anastasia will share her story and passion as an advocate for people with disabilities, and the importance members of the disability community to vote and support Hilary Clinton for President of the United States.

In recognition of November as National Epilepsy Awareness month, Joyce welcomes Donna Stahlhut, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas, Houston/Dallas-Fort Worth/West Texas. Ms Stahlhut will discuss the mission of this organization and the programs and services it has in place to foster greater awareness of epilepsy.

Joyce welcomes Gerald Homme, chairman of the Bender Lead On Team: Ginny Emerson, mother of the late, Sam Miller: Olivia Stevenson, and Gwen Jackson to discuss the Bender Lead On Team. The Bender Lead On Team assists high school and college students in the areas of setting career goals and championing anti-bullying efforts. The team provides a forum for young people with disabilities to speak out about instances of bullying and to support others who may be involved in similar situations. Gerald will discuss the Bender Lead On Team, his duties as chair, and his personal experience with bullying. In 2012, under Gerald's leadership, the Bender Lead on Team established the Sam Miller Award, sponsored by Bender Consulting, to recognize a young leader who embodies the mission of the Bender Lead On Team. The award was named for Sam Miller, who was a dedicated member of the Bender Lead On Team who died by suicide in 2011. Before his death, Sam supported young people with disabilities.