Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the show. As a person living with epilepsy, Tony will discuss his experiences living with epilepsy. He will also share updates on the attempt by the senate to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

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 the Obama Administration's landmark 503 regulation that will require federal contractors to set a 7 percent hiring target for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Phil Gattone, CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation. As November is National Epilepsy Month, Mr. Gattone will discuss the foundation's efforts to promote public awareness of epilepsy and end the stigma that is often associated with it.

Joyce welcomes Judy Painter, president and CEO of Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central PA to the show. In recognition of National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Ms. Painter will share a wide range of information about epilepsy including what it is and the different types of seizures there are. Also Ms. Painter will discuss the programs and services her organization provides to support people living with epilepsy and their families.

Joyce welcomes Josie Badger, former 2012 Ms. Wheelchair USA, and person living with Muscular Dystrophy. Josie works at the Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership Center as Youth Coordinator for the Family to Family Grant, assisting youth in transition and leadership development. Josie is also a LEND fellow for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and is working to create the Children's Hospital Advisory Network for Guidance and Empowerment (CHANGE). Ms. Badger will discuss her current work, as well as her accomplishments as an advocate for all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Andy Imparato, executive director of The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). This is a membership organization that supports and promotes a national network of university-based interdisciplinary programs. 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 discussing the impact of the AUCD organization on issues that are important to the community of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Carol Glazer, president of the National Organization on Disability (NOD). She will discuss in depth, the mission of the NOD, which is to expand the participation and contribution of America's 56 million men, women, and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. It's current focus is on improving employment prospects for America's 29 million working-aged Americans with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes one of the nation's leading authorities in the field of media and public advocacy, Neil Romano, president of The Romano Group. Mr. Romano was also nominated by President George W. Bush to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in 2007. During the show, Mr. Romano will discuss his past work with ODEP, and his continued commitment to the cause of employing people with disabilities, through, his noted work as producer and director of the film "Youth Homicide: A Public Health Crisis," for which he earned an Emmy Nomination as Best Director. In addition, he will discuss his 2010 film, "America's Strength," which documents the inspiring stories of people with disabilities in mainstream employment, which received national acclaim.

Joyce welcomes Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and TaKeisha Walker, AAPD's director of workplace & leadership initiatives. Discussed on the show will be the organization's plans for the 2013 Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), Wednesday, October 16, 2013. DMD which is held the third Wednesday in October annually, began as an event at the White House for a few dozen students in 1999. In 2010, AAPD worked with over 200 volunteers and 19 DMD national sponsors to support 13,000 students and job-seekers with disabilities, participating in DMD events at sites across the country. Since then, the event has grown even larger. AAPD is the nation's largest cross-disability membership organization; AAPD promotes equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities.

Joyce's honored guest is Rita M. Landgraf, secretary of health and social services for the state of Delaware. Since taking office in January 2009, Secretary Landgraf has been a leader on some of Governor Markell's top priorities to form partnerships across the government to improve the lives of Delawareans, including those with disabilities. During the show, Secretary Landgraf will highlight her accomplishments and those of the Markell Administration.