Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes Stephen Bennett, president and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy, (UCP). He will discuss the mission, programs and services of this organization.

Ms. Maul is Vice President and Global Account Executive for the DuPont account as part of CSC's Managed Services Sector with Global Responsibility for New Business Development, Account Performance, Marketing and Financial Management to DuPont.

Joyce welcomes Philip M. Gattone, M.Ed., President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. He will discuss the mission of this affiliate and his personal commitment to helping people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes George Kettner, president of Economic Systems Inc. (Econsys), based in Falls Church, VA. Mr. Kettner will discuss his recent work with the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy to conduct statistical analysis of the employment of people with disabilities and to develop new models to facilitate equal employment opportunity for people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Christine Griffin, newly appointed deputy director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Ms. Griffin will discuss her role within OPM and her commitment to diversity, including her efforts to increase the hiring and promotion of people with disabilities within the federal government.

Joyce welcomes Denise Pease, board officer for the National Epilepsy Foundation, and chair of the Know the Difference campaign. She will discuss this African American Initiative ,which is designed to raise awareness of epilepsy within the African-American community.

Joyce welcomes Dr. Kevin Bales, world renowned author, expert on modern slavery, and president of Free the Slaves, the US sister organization of Anti-Slavery International (the world's oldest human rights organization). He will discuss how we can end slavery and human trafficking.

Joyce welcomes Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), U.S. Department of Labor. She will discuss the federal government's commitment to increasing the employment of people with disabilities.

Joyce welcomes Jim Abrahams to the show, who is an American film writer, director, and producer. Mr. Abrahams is also the co-founder, and executive director of the Charlie Foundation, which was established in 1994 in order to raise awareness about the ketogenic diet as a treatment for childhood epilepsy. The modern success of the diet has led to new demands on the medical community. In order to meet these demands, the Charlie Foundation has expanded its priorities to include educational programs for dietitians and neurologists as well as support for clinicians and researchers working to perfect its administration.

Joyce's honored guest is Ginny Thornburgh, director of the Interfaith Initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The initiative's mission is to support people with disabilities and their families as they seek spiritual and religious access. She will discuss her work with this project, and a life long career as an advocate for people with disabilities.