Who We Are
Our purpose is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.
State Councils on Developmental Disabilities operate under Public Law 106–402, 106th Congress: The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 work to address identified needs for individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their families.
Click here to download the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000
Our Vision
We envision a world in which the choices for persons with disabilities are not limited by others, in which persons with disabilities have choices about all aspects of their lives, in which their choices are respected and supported; a world without limits.
Key Beliefs
All people have value and ability.
Every person can make a contribution. People are free to live, work, learn and play in society.
We must always challenge one another to do better.
There is dignity in taking risks and value in making mistakes.
Who We Work For
The Wyoming Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities advocates for the independence and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in Wyoming.
What is a Developmental Disability?
Under state law, a developmental disability is defined as a list of conditions: brain injury, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, Prader-Willi syndrome and/or intellectual disability. The condition must be permanent. Because the Council is funded in part by the federal government, it uses the federal definition of developmental disability. The federal definition is based on the level of need, not the underlying condition. Under federal law, a developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability caused by a mental or physical impairment, or both. The impairment must:
occur before a person’s 22nd birthday
result in serious limitations in three of the following areas:
self-care;
receptive and expressive language;
learning;
mobility;
self-direction;
capacity for independent living; and
economic self-sufficiency, and
create a need for lifelong services and supports.
Our Members
The Council is a unique, governor-appointed body of people with developmental disabilities, family members and professionals who work together to promote choice, independence and the full inclusion of all people with developmental disabilities in community life.
If you would like to apply to be a member of the council, please contact Shannon Buller at: (307) 777-7332
Council Leadership:
Josh Bellamy, Council Chairperson
Elizabeth Nevin, Council Vice Chairperson
Susan Oaks, Systems Advocacy Committee Chairperson
Jeff Graham, Five-Year Plan Committee Chairperson
Council Staff:
Shannon Buller, Executive Director
Aleyta Zimmerman, Project Manager/ Policy Analyst and WYABLE State Administrator
Kayla Green, Administrative Specialist
Council Members
Christel Barge, Advocate
Cheyenne, WY
Charles Barrett, Advocate
Laramie, WY
Josh Bellamy, Family Member
Rock Springs, WY
Karlena Bertagnole, Advocate
Cheyenne, WY
Ebony Borders, Advocate
Sheridan, WY
Tina Conley, I-Reach 2, Inc.
Casper, WY
Brandon Douglas, Family Member
Cody, WY
Sandy Root-Elledge, WIND
Laramie, WY
Jeff Graham, SSA
Cheyenne, WY
Lee Grossman, WDH-DHF-DDS
Cheyenne, WY
Nicky Harper, DVR
Cheyenne, WY
Charity Henning, Family Member
Cheyenne, WY
Danielle Marks, WDH-PHD-MCHU
Cheyenne, WY
Angela Mason, P&A
Cheyenne, WY
Kathy Miller, Family Member
Sheridan, WY
Elizabeth Nevin, Advocate
Cheyenne, WY
Chris Nichols, Advocate
Cheyenne, WY
Susan Oaks, Advocate
Cheyenne, WY
Jeanne Scheneman, WDH-AD-CLS
Cheyenne, WY
Susan Shipley, WDE
Cheyenne, WY
Jennifer Tatro, Advocate
Cheyenne, WY
Melissa Theriault, Family Member
Cheyenne, WY
Carolyn White, Advocate
Rock Springs, WY
Contact Us:
WGCDD
Capitol Hill Building
320 W. 25th St. Suite 119
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-7230 | Email: wgcdd@wyo.gov