Podcast
Disability Matters
Hosted by Joyce Bender · EN
Competitive employment and empowerment for people with disabilities is the emphasis of this show. Broadcast live and captioned in real-time for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, we discuss how people with disabilities can secure career opportunities, and how employers, organizations and individuals can support employment and empowerment of people with disabilities.
33episodes
Episodes
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Chaz Kellem: Allegheny County Disability Advocate Discusses New Appointment to PA Governor's Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities
1w ago00:57:47Tap to summarizeJoyce welcomes Allegheny County Disability Advocate, Chaz Kallem, to the show. Chaz will discuss his latest appointment to PA Governor Josh Shapiro's newly established Governor's Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities and what it means to him to be a part of this prestigious group impacting the lives of Pennsylvanians with disabilities. The Commission's purpose is to recommend policy changes across the disabilities spectrum, engage with federal/state/local agencies, communicate Administration initiatives to the public, and compile information on programs, funding, and additional supports to create an inclusive resource for individuals with disabilities and their family members across Pennsylvania. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →AAPD Commemorating the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with Steadfast Commitment to Fight for Disability Rights for All Americans with Disabilities
2w ago00:56:37Tap to summarizeAs part of Disability Pride Month, Joyce welcomes Maria Town President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to the show. The AAPD is a national disability-led and cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for over 60 million Americans with disabilities. AAPD does this by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation. Ms. Town will discuss the mission of this organization in depth and how it preserves the legacy of the ADA 36 years from its passage and continues to advocate for the rights of all Americans with disabilities. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →Senator Tom Harkin and Dr. Victor Santiago Pineada Celebrate Disability Pride Month and Discuss Current Advocacy
3w ago00:59:38Tap to summarizeAs part of Disability Pride Month, Joyce welcomes former Senator Tom Harkin back to the show. Senator Harkin will reflect on the significance of the 36th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. Senator Harkin will share his thoughts on the work that still needs done to advance the lives of Americans with disabilities. Joining Senator Harkin will be Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda. Dr. Pineda is the Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley, California, —the world's first independent living center, founded in 1972 by Ed Roberts and other pioneering disability rights activists. Both men will share their insight into the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how we need to continue to advocate for the rights of Americans with disabilities 35 years after its passage. In addition, Dr. Pineda will highlight his advocacy work on behalf of people with disabilities. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC
4w ago00:58:21Tap to summarizeJoyce welcomes Helena Berger, Chair of the FDR Memorial Foundation's Board of Directors and Mary E. Dolan, Executive Director, to the show. The guests will discuss the 25th Anniversary of The FDR Memorial which helps preserve the memory of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's catalytic involvement in issues of equality and freedom – especially for people with disabilities. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →The Honorable Tony Coelho, Author of the Americans with Disabilities Act-Congressman Steny Hoyer
Jul 700:56:48Tap to summarizeJoyce welcomes former United States Congressman and author of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendments Act, Tony Coelho and Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland to the show. Discuss on the show will be the journey to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendments Act. Also discussed will be the current effort to pass comprehensive website accessibility legislation for all people with visual disabilities. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →John F. Walsh, III: Value of iDisability Platform and Impact of AI
Jun 3000:54:48Tap to summarizeJoyce John F. Walsh III, Chief Executive Officer of iDisability, to the show. iDisability is an e-learning platform serving more than four million business users with training on compliance, engagement, and retention of customers and employees with disabilities. Mr. Walsh will discuss the product in depth, along with new product enhancements. Additionally, he will discuss the impact of AI on the product and how this will assist customers in revolutionizing their approach to disability training. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →Ty Herndon: Country Music Superstar Discusses Memoir
Jun 2300:55:02Tap to summarize"Writing What Mattered Most has been one of the most vulnerable and rewarding experiences of my life. This book is my truth—the highs, the heartbreaks, the lessons, and the love that have shaped me as a man, an artist, and a survivor." Joyce welcomes back country music superstar, Ty Herndon, to the show. Mr. Herndon will discuss his new memoir, What Mattered Most. He will share his struggles with addiction and mental health, becoming the first openly gay male country superstar in a traditionally conservative industry, and the resilience it took to endure more than three decades in the music industry. Mr. Herndon emerged out of those darkest hours with a renewed sense of purpose with his most personal song, God or the Gun. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →Jeff Wissel: Internationally Recognized Accessibility Leader Helps Making Accessibility the Standard for All Businesses
Jun 1600:58:14Tap to summarizeJoyce welcomes Internationally Recognized Accessibility Leader, Jeff Wissel, to the show. Mr. Wissel will discuss career highlights, including being the first ever Chief Accessibility Officer for Disability:IN and spearheading the groundbreaking Procure Access Initiative, which drives systemic change by making accessibility non-negotiable in procurement practices. He is a trailblazing strategist and inclusion champion who partners with Fortune 500 companies to embed accessibility and disability inclusion into the DNA of their business strategies. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →Sara Innamorato/Caylin Snyder: Allegheny County's Commitment to Meet the Needs of Residents Living with Disabilities
Jun 900:51:55Tap to summarizeJoyce welcomes Sara Innamorato, County Executive for Allegheny County and Caylin Snyder, Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for Allegheny County to the show. The guests will share the Administration's commitment to making sure the county meets the needs of its residents with disabilities. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
Transcribe →Gerald Homme/Jill Zomp: Wide Range of Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities Available
Jun 200:57:22Tap to summarizeJoyce welcomes Gerald Homme, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition and Technology and Jill Zomp, Manager of Talent Acquisition with Bender Consulting Services, Inc., back to the show. A wide range of employment opportunities available at Bender Consulting Services for qualified people with disabilities will be discussed. Opportunities range from early career to leadership roles in healthcare, engineering, artificial intelligence, IT, and skilled trades, among others. Joyce A. Bender Career Highlights Serves as CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc. and Board Chair and Founder of Bender Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization focused on addressing the transition to work for youth and young adults with disabilities. Founding partner of iDisability, an eLearning solution. Named a 2024 Woman of Influence by The Pittsburgh Business Times and 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipient from the Viscardi Center.
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