Joyce Bender is a trailblazer, leading the fight to redress social stigmas that repress the disabled. Brandishing a torch of advocacy sparked by her own personal experiences, Joyce has been a persuasive force of change for those whose voices have so often been unheard.

Hers is a journey stemming from a life-threatening injury in 1985.

“I used to suffer from what my doctor’s simply diagnosed as ‘fainting spells’,” explains Joyce, “until one day I fell and suffered a cranial fracture. It wasn’t until I underwent brain surgery that doctors finally diagnosed me with epilepsy.”

To add to the frustrations, the fall caused a 60% hearing loss in one ear. “Not only was I finally told I had a condition that could have been controlled,” says Joyce, “but I also was left to deal with a new set of difficulties as well.”

It was a critical moment in her life -- forcing her to adjust to and accept life with a disability.

What came out of introspection, however, was an acute passion for the oppressed. “I became disgusted as I began to notice people avoided hiring those with disabilities,” says Joyce. “I knew my disability didn’t change my ability to hold a successful job and it made me question these unfair practices.”

This sparked the creation of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., headquartered in Robinson Township. The goal — to provide competitive employment in the fields of business and technology for the disabled. Through government and corporate partnerships (such as Highmark, Bayer Corp., WellPoint and CSC in Quebec and the United States), Bender Consulting offers full-time employment opportunities within these partner organizations to people referred from vocational rehabilitation groups, colleges, etc… And with a “90% permanent placement success rate,” Joyce is enjoying the fruits of her labor. “Bender Consulting’s partner companies are committed to the employment of people with disabilities,” she adds. “We really are making a lot of inroads.”

But this advocate refuses to rest on the laurels of this professional success. Motivated by statistics indicating sub par progression for employment of the disabled, Joyce, too, has taken her campaign for change to a national level.
“It is shocking,” Joyce points out, “that more than 60% of Americans with disabilities still are not counted as part of the work force. And the largest group of unemployed in this country are minorities with disabilities.”

Moreover, despite adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, Joyce explains the Federal Government has yet to actively raise hiring standards itself. “Even today less than 1% of Federal Government employees are those with disabilities.”

Eradicating common misconceptions is the first step, advises Joyce. “We are oftentimes seen as weak and inferior and many people believe hiring us will cost more money.”

But here’s the rub. Those with disabilities tend to contribute to increased productivity levels due to near perfect attendance, Joyce says. “In my company, for instance, 90% of my employees are significantly disabled and most of them have not missed a single sick day for 10 sometimes 11 years.” She adds, “In today’s economy especially, employment is a treasure, but to those who are oppressed, you can’t imagine how much a job means.”

To bring her advocacy full circle, Joyce finds importance in empowering our disabled youth who are oftentimes the victims of deplorable bullying. “It is a growing concern in our country, but when it is done to those with disabilities, the effects can be especially devastating.” It begins a cycle that carries into adulthood and the workplace.”

Through her efforts as a volunteer, Joyce started the Bender Leadership Academy to provide students with disabilities the opportunity to discuss their experiences in a non-threatening and highly empowering environment. “We are able to provide these young adults the tools to build self-esteem and confidence to allow them to look beyond the walls of high school and realize their true potential.”

And who is a better role model than Joyce Bender. In the past 10 years alone she has received unprecedented recognition including the National Epilepsy Foundation’s Employer of the Year Award, the President’s Award (presented by President Bill Clinton for her advocacy efforts), as well as the James F. Compton Humanitarian Award for her efforts in furthering workplace opportunities for people with disabilities. Most recently, Joyce was presented the Diamond Award by the Pittsburgh Business Times for her contributions to her company and community.

Her professional affiliations are as extensive — serving on numerous local and national boards and accepting the prestigious role of Chair for the Epilepsy Foundation’s Board of Directors. And she still finds time to contribute effortlessly to her innovative radio talk show, “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender.”

She is a woman driven by an intrinsic desire to help those who are disadvantaged, is a nationally recognized voice for those too often overlooked and a beacon of hope for our younger generation.

But what rests at the heart of Joyce Bender, and separates her from most, is a compassion driven by conviction.

Her words so eloquently mark this character — “You may not be able to change the world,” says Joyce, “but to one person, you just may be the world.”