Disability Matters

Joyce welcomes David Dikter, executive director of Assistive Technology Industry Association. He will discuss the mission of this non-profit membership organization made up of manufacturers, sellers and providers of technology-based assistive devices and/or services.

Joyce welcomes Lawrence Carter-Long, executive director of Disability Network of NYC. He will discuss his work with this non-profit organization, which brings people, government and industry together to find solutions to the problems faced by New Yorkers with physical, visual and hearing disabilities. The organization strives for full inclusion of people with disabilities into the vast civic, social and economic life of New York City.

Joyce welcomes Gail Pundsack, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation in Colorado. Ms. Pundsack will discuss the mission and programs of this affiliate.

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.

Joyce welcomes two Bender Leadership Academy high school students, Michael Gandy of Beaver Falls High School, and Emilee Butera of Ambridge Area High School. The Bender Leadership Academy trains high school students with disabilities for the world of work. Michael and Emilee will discuss their experiences in the class and share how they will use what they have learned to be young leaders for other students with disabilities.

The Joyce welcomes Don Dew president and founder of ReachOutUSA, a Kansas-based organization that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual disabled people in the United States. ReachOutUSA provides services for this population of Americans, as well as trainings for agencies and businesses to the show. He will discuss the motivations surrounding his decision to start this organization and the problems that this group face in obtaining services in the social service arena.

Joyce welcomes Julie McCawley , an 11th grade youth leader with the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Foundation (SJS). Discussed on the show will be her leadership role, how she deals with bullying in school, and her recent luncheon with Michelle Obama.

Joyce's featured guests are Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to President Obama for Disability Policy. A range of topics will be discussed on the show, including October as National Disability Awareness Month, reflecting on the meaning of the Americans with Disability Act to Americans with disabilities and the Obama Administration's commitment to hiring Americans with disabilities.

Joyce's honored guest is Susan Axelrod, president and founding member of Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE). In 1998, Axelrod and two other mothers, frustrated with their inability to protect their children from the devastation of uncontrollable seizures and the side effects of medications, joined forces to spearhead the search for a cure for epilepsy. Discussed on the show will be her commitment to finding a cure and for increasing public awareness of epilepsy through the use of the media, as she did on the October 25, 2009 episode of 60 Minutes. Mrs. Axelrod is also the wife of David Axelrod, senior advisor to President Obama.

Joyce welcomes Kristin Schkade, Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation's National Youth Council, which comprises 10 young adults, ages 18 to 24 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the epilepsy community. Ms. Schkade will discuss her experience on the council.