Last week, Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order reinstating the Statewide Independent Living Council. Gov. Cooper also appointed 25 new members to the Council.
“I’m pleased that these North Carolinians are willing to bring their time, talent, and experience this Council,” Gov. Cooper said. “I look forward to working together to ensure that people with disabilities have the services they need.”
The Statewide Independent Living Council works to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the services they need to live full and independent lives. Council members will collaborate with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to develop a state plan and oversee the implementation of the resulting goals and policies. Under federal law, a majority of the Council members must be people with disabilities.
Gov. Cooper appointed the following individuals to serve on the Council:
- Mark Steele of Winston-Salem as a director of a center for independent living. Mr. Steele is the director of The Adaptables.
- Kimlyn Lambert of Cherokee as a director of an American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services project. Ms. Lambert is the director of the Cherokee Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
- Adonis Brown of Durham as an individual with a disability.
- Melea Williams of Franklinton as an individual with a disability.
- Barry Washington of Clemmons as an individual with a disability.
- Joshua Denton of Hendersonville as an individual with a disability.
- Patricia McGinnis of Marion as an individual with a disability.
- Donna Tooill of Matthews as an individual with a disability.
- Ricky Scott of Raleigh as an individual with a disability.
- Ashley Elrod of Durham as an individual with a disability.
- Judy Stout of Pittsboro as an individual with a disability.
- Sandra Hicks of Whitakers as an individual with a disability.
- Michael Daisley of Charlotte as an individual with a disability.
- Caroline Bradstock of Greensboro as an individual with a disability.
- Deja Barber of Raleigh as a youth with a disability.
- Douglas Johnson of Raleigh as an veteran with a disability.
- Shelia Winborne of Charlotte as a parent of an individual with a disability.
- Wendy Boyd of Jacksonville as a parent of an individual with a disability.
- Marion Quirici of Durham as a representative of a University who is familiar with services for individuals with disabilities.
- Pamela Lloyd as an ex-officio member representing the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Patricia Sikes as an ex-officio member representing the Division of Services for the Blind.
- Jan Withers as an ex-officio member representing the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
- Chris Egan as an ex-officio member representing the Council of Developmental Disabilities.
- John Marens as an ex-officio member representing the Client Assistance Program.
- Vicki Smith as an ex-officio member representing Disability Rights NC.