Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). He will discuss the OPM's role in assisting agencies with the implementation of their plans to increase federal employment of individuals with disabilities, in support of President Barack Obama's executive order.

Joyce welcomes Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He 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.

As we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2012, Joyce welcomes Becky Ogle, Disability Rights Advocate and former executive director of the Presidential Task Force on the Employment of Adults with Disabilities. Becky will discuss her work in the disability community and what the ADA has meant to all people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Phil Gattone, the new CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation, who will discuss his background and vision for this organization. In the second segment of the show, during the last 15 minutes, Avalyn Jackson, associate marketing director of disability and mature products, with AT&T Mobility will join as a guest. She will discuss her strategy associated with development and marketing of accessible devices.

Joyce welcomes Lisa Banks, executive director to Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates in Virginia (CASA). She will discuss in depth, the mission of this 501( c)(3) charity. CASA works at the request of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, to provide highly trained volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children placed under the Court's protection. A second segment of the show, beginning at 2:45 PM eastern time, will feature Jon Nelson, director of HR Staffing for AT&T, and Kevin Storar, a logistics analyst with AT&T. Jon will discuss his work with the Mayor's Committee for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities and how it plays a role in AT&T's outreach to the disability community; while, Kevin will discuss the company's Project CapAbility initiative.

Lisa Scott, Director of Clinical Education in the School of Communication Science and Disorders at Florida State University is now on with Joyce Bender today on Disability Matters with John Williams. . .see changed text below. Sincerely, Lee Hassinger, Bender Family of Companies.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Brien Smith, chairman of the board of the national Epilepsy Foundation; Dr. Frances Jensen, president of the American Epilepsy Society; and Joan Austin, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, a distinguished professor emerita at the Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis and a consultant for the Intramural Program of the National Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They will be discussing the latest research findings on the treatment of epilepsy as published in the book, Epilepsy across the Spectrum published by the Institute of Medicine of The National Academies.

Ryan Dillon, national board member of the Epilepsy Foundation and person who is living with epilepsy, will discuss his journey and his advocacy work. He is "walking the halls of Congress" in Washington, DC to raise epilepsy awareness, and asking members of congress to co-sponsor House Resolution 298, The RAISE Act, Raising Awareness and Insight on Seizures and Epilepsy.

Joyce welcomes Jason Say, CEO of Camo Cares, an organization that raises money to benefit Hunt of a Lifetime to send children with life threatening illnesses on their dream hunts. Camo Cares is proud to announce that this year's 2012 event will be held in Fryburg, Pennsylvania at the Fryburg Sportsman's Club Farm. In addition, Camo Cares is happy to announce that it will be raising money to take a wounded U.S. veteran on a hunt of a lifetime Elk hunt to New Mexico.

Joyce welcomes John Register, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) board member and recently selected co-chair President Obama's re-election campaign. John is a veteran of the Gulf War, a silver medalist in the U.S. Paralympic Games, and a former Olympic Trials athlete. John competed in the 1988 U.S. Olympic Games where he landed incorrectly after clearing a hurdle, and severed a major artery in his left leg, ultimately resulting in his leg being amputated. John also serves as associate director of development and outreach for the U.S. Paralympics. John will discuss his advocacy efforts within the disability community.