Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Sara Hart Weir, president of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).Under Weir's leadership, since December 2014, NDSS was at the forefront of the passage of the landmark and historical Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE), Act, which will create tax free savings accounts for people with Down syndrome and other disabilities. For Weir, the advocacy surrounding the ABLE Act was a civil rights issue, as for the first-time ever, it puts a stake in the ground that individuals with disabilities can save money for the future, work, all while remaining on the necessary benefits that the Down syndrome community relies on.

Joyce welcomes Joan Stein, president and CEO of Stein Consulting LLC. Joan's company works with its clients to find answers, options and opportunities. Focusing on ADA compliance, event planning and operations and fund development, the company provides consulting services to employers and can assist with compliance with newly-implemented OFCCP regulations. It also provides litigation support to companies faced with ADA litigation. Ms. Stein will discuss the company mission in depth.

Joyce welcomes Rebecca Cokely, executive director of the National Council on Disability (NCD). The Council promotes policies, programs, practices and procedures that further the objectives of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to ensure that Americans with disabilities have the same level of access to civic, social and economic participation as their non-disabled friends, family members and peers. NCD has 15 Presidentially-appointed Council members who live across the nation, and 11 professional staff based in Washington, DC. Ms. Cokely, will discuss the progress that has been made with both the organization, and furthering the objective of the ADA as we approach the 25th Anniversary of the legislation, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990.

Joyce welcomes Jessi Ryan, manager of education and community programs for the Pittsburgh Symphony. For the first 5 minutes of the show, Ms. Ryan will be promoting a symphony concert, Saturday, June 27, 2015. Led by resident conductor, Lawrence Loh, "Celebrate Pittsburgh" is designed for patrons of all ages with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities and other disabilities to enjoy an orchestra performance in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Monitors will provide open captioning throughout the concert, and quiet rooms, headphones and fidgets will be available so audience members can address their sensory stimulation. The show will next feature Steve Schatcher and his son, David. Both will discuss their film project, "The Last Pyramid", which was produced to bring awareness to the issues surrounding epilepsy and will raise funds for the Epilepsy Foundation.

Joyce welcomes disability rights leader, Madonna Long to the show. Joyce and Madonna will engage in a conversation about Ms. Cheryl Sensenbrenner, an advocate who has fought and keeps fighting for disability rights for all Americans with disabilities. This show is a tribute to her tireless efforts for all Americans with disabilities. During the show, many of her friends and colleagues in the disability rights community will pay tribute to the accomplishments of this disability rights leader.

Joyce welcomes back, Kevin Bales, world renowned author, expert on modern slavery, and co-founder of Free the Slaves, the U.S. organization of Anti-Slavery International (the world's oldest human rights organization). Mr. Bales will discuss the latest information in modern slavery and what is being done in increase awareness and encourage its prevention.

Joyce welcomes Daniel Bull founder of Zero Six Eight (068), an incubator that works to promote the fully innovative potential of ex-offenders as they pursue goals of employment, entrepreneurship, and independence. Portfolio companies include products and services in Ecommerce, cyber security, medical devices, apparel, and other licensed IP. During the show, Daniel will share inspiration for 068 which came about while Daniel was serving a sentence of 21 months in Elkton Prison (Lisbon, Ohio) for the misappropriation of investor funds. Throughout that time, Daniel experienced the reality of incarceration, discovering that he was surrounded by talented and intelligent individuals who, like him, faced a life of obstacles because of their choices.

Joyce's honored guest is Secretary of Labor for the Obama Administration, Tom E. Perez. Mr. Perez was nominated by President Obama and sworn in on July 23, 2013, as the nation's 26th Secretary of Labor. Mr. Perez's priorities for the department include ensuring a fair day's pay for a fair day's work; connecting ready-to-work Americans with ready-to-be-filled jobs; promoting gender equality in the workplace; ensuring that people with disabilities and veterans have access to equal employment opportunity; and insisting on a safe and level playing field for all American workers. During the show, Secretary Perez will discuss the administration's commitment to competitive employment for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes James J. Weisman, senior vice president and general counsel of the United Spinal Association, and renowned, ground-breaking figure of the disability rights movement whose legal strategizing was critical to the creation of the transportation section of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Weisman will discuss his friendship with the late, Paul Hearne, co-founder of the American Association of People with Disabilities ( AAPD), and his gradual move toward disability law as a career to help people with disabilities fight discrimination.

Joyce welcomes Curtis L. Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) the nation's largest non-governmental enforcer of disability rights, Curt 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.