Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Janice L. Lehrer-Stein, Member of the National Council on Disability -NCD- to the show. NCD is an independent federal agency that advices the President, Congress and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices and procedures that affect people with disabilities. Ms. Lehrer-Stein will discuss her role as a member of NCD and share how her personal journey with disability led her to become an advocate for all Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Steven Van Wyk, executive vice-president and head of technology and operations, with The PNC Financial Services Group, to the show. Mr. Van Wyk will discuss the commitment at PNC from the top management, and throughout the organization to hire people with disabilities to enhance their workforce. He will also share his background in Denmark and explain its views on employing people with disabilities and how that is different from the United States.

Joyce welcomes The Honorable Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the show. Mr. Coelho will discuss the efforts to pass the ADA leading up to July 26, 1990 and his tireless work on both the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). CRPD is an international human rights treaty intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.

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 be reflecting on the passage of the ADA upon its 26th anniversary and sharing the latest information on his current work with the AUCD.

In honor of the 26th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this month, Joyce welcomes Judith Heumann, an internationally recognized leader in the disability community and a lifelong civil rights advocate. She has been appointed Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the U.S. Department of State. Ms. Heumann will discuss her role in the State Department and the progress in ratifying the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD), and will reflect on what work remains to carry on the efforts of past leaders within the disability community.

Joyce welcomes Curtis L. Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) the nation's largest non-governmental enforcer of disability rights; Curtis oversees all activities related to training and technical assistance, membership services, and legislative advocacy. He will discuss his life-long commitment to enforcing disability advocacy and disability rights.

Joyce welcomes Joanne Lara, MA Adjunct Faculty at National University, and founder of Autism Movement Therapy (AMT). Ms. Laura who is also a professional dancer,has dedicated herself to improving the lives of individuals with autism through movement and music. Her advocacy has led to founding the nonprofit organization Autism Movement Therapy® based in Los Angeles, California. Th e organization has received two Autism Speaks grants, Ms. Laura will discuss the mission of Autism Movement Therapy and the beneficial role that movement and music can play in the speech, language, behavioral, and cognitive abilities of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Joyce welcomes Managing Director of Resource Development at American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS). Curtis Ramsey-Lucas provides oversight for the development of Missional Life and Leadership Resources. He assists the Associate Executive Director in providing oversight and supervision to seven executive staff members who serve as national coordinators for Discipleship Resource Development; Justice for Children/Christian Center Relations; Evangelism and New Church Planting; Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services; Missional Church Transformation; Volunteer Ministries; and Indian Ministries. Mr. Ramsey-Lucas will discuss the mission of the ABHMS.

Joyce welcomes Michael Murray, chief operating officer, for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to the show. The AAPD is the nation's largest cross-disability organization. It promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Members of AAPD include people with disabilities and their family members, friends, and supporters. Mr. Murray will discuss his plans for the organization since becoming chief operating officer and the mission of the organization.

Joyce welcomes Mary Esther Van Shura, Director of Community Affairs with the Allegheny County Office of the Chief Executive and Heather Sedlacko, Director of Programs for Seniors and People with Disabilities for the United Way of Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh PA. The guests will discuss their roles in the respective organizations and the partnership between the United Way and the Office of the Chief Executive on two specific initiatives--the 21& Able Program and the Career Transition Project. Ms. Van Shura and Ms. Sedlacko will provide an overview of these programs and explain how they have been implemented to increase the employment of people with disabilities in the county.