Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes disability rights leader, Jennifer Mathis, Esq., deputy legal director and director of programs for the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Ms. Mathis has worked primarily on the Medicaid rights of adults and children, discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and issues related to judicial nominations. She has recently returned to the Bazelon Center from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she worked on the regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act. During the show, Ms. Mathis will talk about her work at Bazelon, which includes litigation on community litigation claims, voting rights, and the parental rights of individuals with mental disabilities. She will also discuss how much of her work has focused on federalism issues that have threatened enforcement of federal disability rights in the courts.

Joyce welcomes Kate Wadsworth, public relations and aftercare manager, for Light of Life Rescue Mission, in Pittsburgh, PA. Founded in 1952, the Mission was known as Harbor of Hope Rescue Mission where it served as a refuge for transient men. Today, Light of Life Rescue Mission, has 3 main services that they provide. The Women and Children's Program embraces single mothers and their children whose lives have been ravaged by homelessness, addiction and abusive relationships; whether paralyzed by the grip of addiction, poverty, mental health issues or any combination of these, homeless men find hope in the Men's Residential Program; Light of Life's Samaritan Ministries provide critical points of entry for the poor, homeless and addicted seeking help for immediate needs. Ms. Wadsworth will be talking about these programs and services in depth and sharing how listeners can provide assistance.

During this season of giving, Joyce welcomes Jeff Fields, corporate relations officer for World Vision. 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 the organization, and how important it is for people to give and get involved, not only during the holidays, but year-round as well.

During this season of giving especially to children, Joyce welcomes back Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety, the Children's Charity of Pittsburgh. Variety's mission is to provide children with disabilities in Southwestern Pennsylvania with unique programs, experiences, and adaptive equipment so they may live life to the fullest. Mr. LaVallee will discuss the organization's success with the fundraising campaigns of the "My Bike" program, and the "My Voice" program. The "My Bike" program provides adaptive bikes to children with disabilities so they may have the freedom of a bike and the joy of riding alongside friends. The new "My Voice" program strives to provide electronic tablets to allow kids who cannot speak, a method to communicate with others.

Joyce welcomes Emily Ladau who is a passionate disability rights activist, communications consultant, and writer. She uses her skills as a communications consultant, to harness the powers of communication and social media as tools for people to become informed and engaged about disability and other social justice issues. Emily will be discussing her internationally known blog, Words I Wheel By, which is a platform to address discrimination and to encourage people to understand the experience of having a disability in more positive, accepting, and supportive ways. Emily's activism is driven by her firm belief that if we want the world to be accessible to all people, we must make ideas and concepts surrounding disability accessible to the world.

Joyce welcomes Steve Dentel, American Heart Association(AHA) national consultant, quality improvement and Shannon Lesnock, American Heart Association, senior Heart Ball director, Greater Pittsburgh Region to the show. Mr. Dentel will discuss how the AHA impacts patient care directly, including patient outcomes. He will also discuss how AHA's involvement continues when a patient is discharged and what resources for patients are available from the AHA within the community. Shannon Lesnock will discuss the AHA's fundraising and social events designed to move AHA to 2020 goal, including awareness days such as, National Wear Red Day, National Eating Healthy Day, and National Walking Day. She will discuss upcoming events and how to get involved in the AHA.

As we celebrate National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Joyce welcomes Phil Gattone, president and CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation to the show. He will discuss the mission of the organization, and the programs and services it offers, all to bring greater awareness of epilepsy and its effect on those living with the condition and their families.

Joyce welcomes Al Condeluci, chief executive officer of Community Living and Support Services (CLASS) in Pittsburgh. Mr. Condeluci is also an accomplished author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities. Formerly United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Pittsburgh, CLASS is the third largest disability specific not-for-profit agency in Southwestern, Pennsylvania. Mr. Condeluci will discuss the programs and services that CLASS offers people with disabilities, which include, but are not limited to attendant care services for people with disabilities. He will also share his perspective on why he thinks the unemployment of people with disabilities is so high.

Joyce welcomes Brien J. Smith, the immediate past chair of the national Epilepsy Foundation to the show. Dr. Smith will discuss his accomplishments while chair of this organization.

In recognition of November being National Epilepsy Awareness month, Joyce welcomes Peggy Beem-Jelly, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA and Shannon Bursick, whose daughter died from SUDEP at the age of seven. Ms. Beem-Jelly and Ms. Bursick will discuss epilepsy and SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death of Someone with Epilepsy); now the leading cause of death in persons with chronic uncontrolled epilepsy.