Disability Matters

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). He will continue his discussion on how we can end human trafficking.

Joyce welcomes Ari Ne'eman, President of Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and Julia Bascom, creators of The Loud Hands Project to the show. They will be discussing the mission of ASAN and The Loud Hands Project, a structured, multi-faceted response by the community of people living with autism to the systematic disenfranchisement, bullying, and abuse experienced by youth, adults, and self advocates with autism.

Joyce welcomes Jessica Mayer, president, trainer, and consultant of J. B. Access, Inc., a company that provides workshops on disability awareness and other valuable disability-related services. She will discuss in depth, the mission of this company; in addition, Jessica will discuss her knowledge about the ADA and practical implementation issues.

Pat Shiu, director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), in the U.S. Department of Labor is Joyce's guest. She will discuss the new proposed rule from the OFCCP, requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to set a hiring goal of having 7 percent of their workforce be people with disabilities. The proposed rule would represent significant progress in the enforcement of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to employ people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Alan Ingalls, who recently joined the prestigious firm of Booz Allen Hamilton, as a senior technical manager and business executive in the Engineering and Operations capability, supporting the firm's Security market and other markets in Central MD. Prior to joining Booz Allen Hamilton, Alan worked at CSC supporting the DuPont account. Alan was a member of the management team that promoted employment of people with disabilities in the workplace. He will discuss his continued support of hiring people with disabilities in his new position at Booz Allen Hamilton.

In keeping with a commitment to bring awareness of bullying of young people, especially those with disabilities, Joyce welcomes author and retired Hall of Fame head football coach, Phil Brooks to the show. He will discuss his current book, Maroon Knights. Its storyline depicts how two friends encounter physical, and emotional intimidation directed at them by a group of rowdy boys. When the main character Charlie Spagnuolo, attempts to save his friend, Benny, from a close encounter with the school bully, both boys end up in the principal's office. Determined to stay out of trouble, they shake on a truce—a game of backyard football; if Charlie's team wins, the physical taunting and boastful older boys agree to stop bullying them. However, it looks as though Charlie and his outmanned and undersized team need a miracle to win.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Joseph Harrison, Chief of Recruitment and Retention for the US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). MEDCOM is the section of the US Army that hires civilians to work alongside those who are enlisted in Army medical facilities, here and abroad, servicing US Army soldiers, veterans and their families. Dr. Harrison will discuss MEDCOM's extensive efforts to increase the hiring of disabled civilians and veterans.

Joyce welcomes David Morrissey, executive director of the United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD). He will discuss the mission of this non-profit, membership, constituent-led organization committed to promoting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the U.S. and abroad.

Joyce welcomes Todd Reeves, executive director of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Discussed on the show will be the mission of this school and his commitment to helping the students reach their full potential.

Joyce welcomes Sister Sheila Carney, Special Assistant to the President for Mercy Heritage and Service to the show. Sister Carney will be discussing the 180th anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy, founders of Carlow University.