Disability Matters

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 Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President of RespectAbility USA. RespectAbility USA is a nonprofit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve the American dream. Ms. Mizrahi works regularly with disability organizations, national, state and local policy leaders, workforce development professionals, media, employers, philanthropists, celebrities and faith-based organizations to expand opportunities for people with disabilities. The show will discuss the mission of this organization.

Joyce welcomes Katya Hill, director of the AAC Institute. Established in 2000, the AAC Institute is a resource for all who are interested in enhancing the communication of people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Organized as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization, the AAC Institute offers information and provides services worldwide. The AAC Institute promotes the goals of AAC, the AAC Rules of Commitment, and evidence-based AAC clinical practice. This mission is accomplished through service delivery, research, activity organization, information dissemination, and education. Ms. Hill will discuss the mission of this charitable organization.

Joyce welcomes Bob Kafka, national organizer, and ADAPT co-director, Institute for Disability Access. ADAPT is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom. Mr. Kafka will discuss the advocacy of ADAPT in-depth.

Joyce welcomes Wynne Fedele, director of Development and Nancy Mimless, instructor, from the Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh. They will be discussing the New Horizon Program with the CLO, New Horizons, a musical theater training program for children and adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities, offers students the opportunity to take center stage in fun-filled acting, dance and vocal classes — each in one weeknight or weekend day. The program is fueled by the idea that there is no limit to the ability and talents of all students, even those with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Dan McCoy, 2014 United States Paralympic Gold Medalist for the Sled Hockey Team to the show. Dan will discuss his lifelong love for the sport and how he took that commitment to a new level to reach his goal to win the Gold Medal in 2014. He will share how reaching his goals has improved his confidence and impacted his life.

Joyce welcomes former Pittsburgh Steelers all-pro linebacker, Robin Cole to the show. Mr. Cole is the founder of the Obediah Cole Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to prostate cancer education, awareness, and early detection. Mr. Cole will discuss his journey with the disease, his survival, and the mission of this organization in depth.

Joyce welcomes John Register to the show. Owner of Inspired Communications International, LLC, John has never allowed adversity hold him back. He hurdled his adversity in leaps and bounds, and challenges his audiences to do the same as they create their new normal. During the show, John will share his amazing journey from All-American track star to amputee to Paralympics medalist and the events that have led him to motivate and inspire other people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Christine Griffin, chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to the show. AAPD is the largest cross-disability membership organization in the United States. AAPD organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change. Ms Griffin will discuss her plans for the organization and her career as an advocate for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Mindy Scheier, founder of Runway of Dreams; Richard L. Schatzberg, Chief Commercial Officer- Nest Technologies; and John Kemp, president and CEO of the Viscardi Center to the show. These guests will discuss the mission of Runway of Dreams, which is a nonprofit organization that works with the fashion industry to adapt mainstream clothing for people with disabilities. By applying adaptive design and wearable technology to existing brand name collections, Runway of Dreams is making fashion accessible to all.