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:
  1. self-care;
  2. receptive and expressive language;
  3. learning;
  4. mobility;
  5. self-direction;
  6. capacity for independent living; and
  7. 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: 307-777-7332