Disability Matters
Disability Matters
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Examines various topics related to employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, organizational commitments to diversity, inclusion strategies, and advocacy efforts, with episodes featuring discussions on significant initiatives like Highmark Health's 30/30 hiring program and insights from leaders in disability advocacy.
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.
Joyce is starting 2026 with the returning champion of competitive employment for Americans with disabilities, David Holmberg, President, and CEO of Highmark Health and Chairman of the Board, Highmark, Inc. Mr. Holmberg launched an initiative in 2020 to hire 30 people with disabilities from Bender Consulting Services to honor the 30th anniversary of the signing of the ADA, called the Highmark 30/30. He and all of Highmark have continued this practice every year since and 2026 is no exception. During the show, he will talk about the initiative and how it happened. Additionally, Mr. Holmberg will discuss how the company plans to continue its unprecedented record of hiring people with disabilities in 2026. Highmark is a $19 billion-dollar integrated health care delivery organization with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA.
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.
- Recipient of the 2024 Visionary Award from the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law in Washington, DC.
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