To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the National Disability Mentoring Coalition has named 25 outstanding leaders as the first inductees into the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame. These inductees were selected for their demonstrated commitment to mentoring and for the impact of their contributions on improving the lives of people with disabilities.
We are proud to induct Joyce Bender, founder and CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., into the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame’s 2015 inaugural class.
Bender Consulting Services, Inc. is a national leader in advancing employment of people with disabilities, including veterans with disabilities with private sector companies and Federal government agencies. Bender’s services include disability employment consulting, recruitment, training and technology accessibility.
In 1985, Joyce had a life-threatening accident due to epilepsy that caused a cerebral hemorrhage that required subsequent brain surgery. As a result of her personal experience, she developed a passion for helping people with disabilities and established Bender Consulting Services, Inc. in September 1995.
Joyce is a nationally recognized speaker on the issue of competitive employment of people with disabilities, hosts a weekly radio show, Disability Matters, on www.voiceamerica.com and is a board member of the American Association of People with Disabilities and the national Epilepsy Foundation.
Representative awards received by Joyce Bender include the following:
- 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award, received from Volunteers of America of PA
- 2013 AAPD Justice for All Corporate Award
- 2011 Epilepsy Foundation Hero of Epilepsy Award
- 1999 President’s Award, received from President Clinton at the White House
Ms. Bender holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Geneva College, and hosts the weekly radio show, “Disability Matters with Joyce Bender” on www.voiceamerica.com.
