Disability Matters

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. Founded in 1982, 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 throughout the United States. Discussed on the show will be the NCIL Conference, July 24-27, 2013 at the Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC. This year's theme is regeneration and the conference allows members to share strengths, embrace new leadership, and renew commitments to ensure freedom and independence for individuals with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Tony Coelho, former democratic congressman from California and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to the show. As we get ready to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the signing of the ADA into law, on July 26, 1990, Mr. Coelho will discuss the progress we have made since the ADA was passed, and the work that still needs to be done to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Michael Pritchard, a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN and Time for his ability to use humor to inspire and educate his audiences. Michael Pritchard is a big guy with a warm heart who as one student described him, "truly walks as he talks." He will highlight his experience as a keynote speaker for young audiences and discuss his approach when helping kids with the issue of bullying among other topics effecting their lives.

Joyce welcomes Kathy Krepcio, executive director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Founded in 1997, the center is dedicated to raising the effectiveness of the American workplace by strengthening workforce education, placement and training programs and policies and has earned a reputation as one of the nation's leading research centers for workforce development. The Center's efforts concentrate on both nurturing concrete innovations in workforce practices, as well as addressing broad-scale economic policy changes that ensure Americans receive the education and training they need to be productive and prosperous in the knowledge economy of the 21st century. Ms. Krepcio will discuss the ways in which the center is addressing the issue of hiring people with disabilities in the workforce, as well as an in depth look at its overall programs and services.

Joyce welcomes Sally E. Shaywitz, M.D., co-director of the newly formed Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity at the Yale University School of Medicine. The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity serves as a nexus for research on dyslexia, and is a leading source of advocacy and information to better the lives of people with dyslexia. Its mission is to uncover and illuminate the strengths of those with dyslexia, disseminate the latest innovations from scientific research and practical advice, and transform the treatment of children and adults with dyslexia. Dr. Shaywitz will discuss the mission of the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity in depth.

Joyce welcomes Christine M. Griffin, executive director of the Disability Law Center Inc. (DLC), of Massachusetts. The DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. Ms. Griffin will discuss the services of the DLC in depth, and also talk about her background as a life-long advocate for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Paul Abernathy, director of FOCUS Pittsburgh. This is the local office of FOCUS North America, located in Kansas City, MO. As an expression of Christ's love, the organization exists to serve the hungry, thirsty, stranger, sick and imprisoned by providing Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding and Shelter. FOCUS Pittsburgh seeks to lift up those in poverty through holistic wrap-around programs, choosing to walk hand-in-hand with a single person over many miles of life recovery, rather than walking with a large crowd a short distance to the next stepping stone. Mr. Abernathy will discuss the organization's mission and values in depth.

Joyce welcomes George Gallego, founder of Wheels for Progress; George is a 2013 Hearne Leadership Award winner, sponsored by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Mr. Gallego will be discussing in detail the mission of Wheels for Progress, which is to create affordable, accessible, supportive housing and transformative environments for people with physical disabilities. He will also discuss what it means to him to be selected as a winner of the 2013 Hearne Leadership Award. AAPD's Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award carries on the work of one of AAPD's founders, Paul G. Hearne, a renowned leader in the national disability community and realizes his goal of cultivating emerging disability rights leaders.

Joyce welcomes Cindy Shapira and Amy Snider, two members of the working group for 21 and Able to the show. Each year in Pennsylvania, hundreds of young people with disabilities move from a good system of education and support services, to virtually no system or help at all, when they turn 21. Therefore, 21 and Able is an initiative of the United Way of Allegheny County that strives to address this issue, by ensuring that there are options for transition and by involving families, the community, and agencies in developing effective practices and systematic changes. Ms. Shapira and Ms. Snider will discuss this mission in depth.