Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Susan Palmer Mazuri director of Global Public Policy, AT&T Services Inc. and a member of the board of directors of the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN). She will discuss her company's commitment to hiring people with disabilities and her work in furthering the mission of the USBLN.

Joyce welcomes Marsha Blanco, president and CEO of ACHIEVA. ACHIEVA is the only agency of its type in southwestern Pennsylvania that provides lifelong supports. From early intervention therapies, in-home support, to older adult protective services for medically fragile senior citizens, ACHIEVA provides services through the entire life-span. ACHIEVA is a nonprofit parent organization that has comprehensive services and supports and serves more than 14,500 individuals with disabilities and their families. Ms. Blanco will discuss the programs and services of ACHIEVA and her life-long calling as an advocate for those with intellectual disabilities.

Joyce welcomed Patricia A. Shiu, director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs at the U.S. Department of Labor. She leads a staff of nearly 800 men and women around the country who are dedicated to protecting workers, promoting diversity and enforcing the law. Over the years, OFCCP's authority has been expanded by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. She has discussed and gave an update on the progress of the Obama Administration's landmark 503 regulation that requires federal contractors to set a 7 percent hiring target for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Stuart Pixley, president, Kathryn Carroll, secretary, and Michael Gilberg, board member of The National Association of Attorneys with Disabilities (NAAD). The NAAD is the national association of attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and others. It represents the interests of those parties and anyone with disabilities in the legal profession so that persons with disabilities can achieve success. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal service and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAAD is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting persons with disabilities. All three guests will discuss the mission of NAAD in depth and their personal advocacy to help people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Josie Badger, a national disability rights leader and chair of the #IWantToWork campaign and Karen Priore, co-lead of the campaign for Giant Eagle, Inc. Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania teenagers and young adults with disabilities want to work. While the state's unemployment rate is close to 5%, 65 out of 100 Pennsylvanians with disabilities can't find jobs, or have given up looking for work. At the same time, Pennsylvania has a workforce shortage crisis with more the 200,000 unfilled jobs on any given day. Josie will explain how the #IWantToWork campaign is the opportunity to help Pennsylvania move from rhetoric to action by joining 22 other states in adopting Employment First legislation and implementing policies that lead to more hiring of people with disabilities and providing qualified, motivated workers for Pennsylvania businesses. She will also share with listeners what they can do to support the campaign.

Joyce welcomes Patricia A. Shiu, director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs at the U.S. Department of Labor. She leads a staff of nearly 800 men and women around the country who are dedicated to protecting workers, promoting diversity and enforcing the law. Over the years, OFCCP's authority has been expanded by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. She will be discussing and giving an update on the progress of the Obama Administration's landmark 503 regulation that requires federal contractors to set a 7 percent hiring target for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). The National Council on Independent Living is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities. Discussed on the show will be the advocacy work of this organization.

Joyce welcomes Mark Johnson, director of the Shepherd Center. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord and brain injury. Founded in 1975, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation. Mr. Johnson will discuss the programs and services of this facility, in depth.

Joyce welcomes Julie McCawley founder of SJS Kids Support group, a branch of the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Foundation. She is presently a junior at Metropolitan State University of Denver where she is majoring in human development and minoring in education. During the show, Julie will explain the mission of the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Foundation, share why she has become a strong advocate for the organization, update everyone on her advocacy efforts against bullying and share her insight as to what students who face bullying today can do to overcome it.

Joyce's honored guest is Chai Feldblum, commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) since September 15, 2010. Ms. Feldblum will discuss the mission of the EEOC, the progress of federal hiring successes of people with disabilities and other initiatives such as Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, requiring federal contractors to take affirmative action to include people with disabilities within their workforce.