Overview
The Commission is composed of 30 members - 15 appointed by the Governor of Kansas and 15 ex officio members by virtue of their position within Kansas state government. Ex officio members may appoint a designee to represent them at the KCDC meetings.
Of the appointed members, preference is given for Kansans representing each of the following categories:
- Industry
- Labor
- Community-based independent living programs
- Rehabilitation programs
- Education programs
- Disability or rehabilitation research programs
- Private, nonprofit organizations serving Kansans with disabilities
- At least eight appointed members must be Kansans with disabilities. Appointed members serve for a term of three years.
Appointed Members
- Rachel Mayberry, Andover, 2025
- Rob Egan, Wichita, 2026
- Dr. Stephen Miller, Parsons, 2026
- Rick Shellenbarger, Valley Center, 2020
- John Lair, Shawnee, 2024
- Claire Reagan, Olathe, 2026
- Emily Hamm, Ottawa, 2026
- Vacant, 2020
- Shanti Ramcharan, Topeka, 2026
- Don Woodard, Auburn, 2024
- Bob Cantin, Olathe, 2025
- Brian Ellefson, Olathe, 2026
- Ranita Wilks, Lawrence, 2026
- Vacant, 2022
- Vacant, 2021
Ex Officio members (and their designees)
- Secretary Department of Administration – Adam Proffitt (Anthony Fadale)
- Secretary, Department on Aging and Disability Services – Laura Howard (Drew Adkins)
- Secretary, Department of Commerce –David Toland (Susan Weidenbach)
- Secretary, Department of Health and Environment – Janet Stanek (Kayzy Bigler)
- Secretary, Department of Labor – Amber Shultz (Todd Thornburg)
- Secretary, Department of Children and Families – Laura Howard (Jenae L. Heller)
- Acting Secretary, Department of Transportation – Calvin Reed (Rene Hart)
- Commissioner, Disability and Behavioral Health Policy, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services – Michele Heydon (Leigh Smith)
- Director, Kansas Rehabilitation Services – Daniel Decker
- Director of Special Education Department of Education – Bert Moore (Stacie Martin)
- Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities – Kathy Keck, Chair
- Senate President – Ty Masterson (Senator Rick Billinger)
- Senate Minority Leader – Dinah Sykes (Robyn Herzog)
- Speaker, House of Representatives – Dan Hawkins (Rep. Carrie Barth)
- Minority Leader, House of Representatives – Vic Miller (Representative Dennis (Boog) Highberger)