Get to know members of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (MiDDC). Council members are Michigan citizens appointed by the governor to improve systems and services within the state and ensure that the voices of people with developmental disabilities and their families are heard. Learn why our council members are passionate about their service and what drives them to be advocates for people with developmental disabilities.
Jeremy Murphy was appointed to MiDDC as a family member on October 15, 2021, and currently serves as the council’s Chairperson. Jeremy says his children opened his eyes to the challenges of gaining access to necessary services. The difficulty of navigating the system is the reason he wanted to join the Council and advocate for change around access to services.
His goal is to create an easier pathway for parents of children with disabilities to understand what services exist and improve education on how to access those services. Jeremy is a dedicated parent and advocate, a lifelong Michigan resident, and a huge fan of the Detroit Red Wings. His favorite place in Michigan is anywhere in northern Michigan because of the wonderful scenery and variety of activities.
Jaime Junior was appointed MiDDC as a self-advocate on October 15, 2021, and currently serves as the council’s Vice-Chairperson. Jaime says she wanted to join the Council after she was introduced to the concept of self-advocacy through the Leadership Development Program at Michigan Disability Rights Coalition.
Her goal is to create true equity so all people with developmental disabilities can thrive in their communities and be self-sufficient in their lives. Jaime is a certified ADA Coordinator, a member of the Great Lakes ADA Center’s Leadership Network, and a huge Marvel Comics fan. Her favorite place in Michigan is Holland during the spring.
Amaya Abdullah was appointed to MiDDC as a self-advocate on May 2, 2024. Amaya says that her personal experience as a person with a developmental disability led her to be an advocate in her everyday life and she wants to use her voice to speak up for underserved communities.
Amaya's goal is to positively impact underserved, rural communities through her advocacy on the council. Amaya is an avid book reader, lifelong learner, and one of her favorite activities is bird watching. Her favorite place in Michigan is Summit Beach in Ludington.
Biography coming soon.
Lonnie Barnett was appointed to MiDDC as a state agency representative on October 1, 2023. Lonnie says that his experience as Director for Michigan's Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) led him to join the council.
Lonnie's goal is to assure that children with developmental disabilities are emphasized and included in the work of the council. He is passionate about engaging families across Michigan and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to flourish. His favorite place in Michigan is the Upper Peninsula.
Joseph "Joe" Bione was appointed to MiDDC as a family member on January 31, 2024. Joe says that his experience being diagnosed with polio at a very young age and his experience as a parent of a child with developmental disability led to his interest in joining the council.
Joe has devoted his life to assisting children and families that face similar issues by advocating for them in whatever way he can. His goal with the council is to continue helping those in need by advocating for families and young adults with disabilities. His favorite place in Michigan is enjoying the beauty of Bay Harbor.
Biography coming soon.
Tiffany Gaiter was appointed to MiDDC as a family member on January 31, 2024. Tiffany says that her experience as a parent of two children with developmental disabilities and educator led to her passion to advocate for education systems change. Her advocacy inspired her interest in joining the council and making sure the city of Saginaw was represented.
Tiffany's goal is to add improve the overall quality of life for Michigan residents with disabilities. She wants her service to leave the disability community in a better place than it was when she first became part of it. Tiffany is dyslexic, but she continues to pursue education and recently completed the first year of the Ed. S/ Doctoral Education program at the University of Michigan- Flint. Her favorite place in Michigan is Mackinac Island.
Belinda Hawks was appointed to MiDDC as a state agency representative on December 21, 2023. Belinda says that her experience working for over 30 years in the behavioral health field as a provider, director if I/DD services in a community health service provider (CMHSP), and now in home and community-based services (HCBS) led her to join the Council.
Belinda's goal is to share the knowledge she has gained to improve both quality and access to services for people with developmental disabilities and their families. She is a lifelong learner and enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her favorite place in Michigan is Frankfort.
Biography coming soon.
Beth Kohler was appointed to MiDDC as a family member on October 1, 2020. Beth has a history of partnership with the council. She previously participated in Council funded activities such as Partners in Policymaking and Everyone Together. Her past experience with the Council, her experience organizing a group of parent advocates, and her experience as a parent of a child with a developmental disability led to her interest in serving on the council.
Beth's goal is to improve the implementation of laws, policies, and best practices that often are not implemented properly at the local level. Beth wants to help end confusion that often leads to a lack of supports for people with developmental disabilities. Her favorite place in Michigan is anywhere she can be in the woods surrounded by the sound of nature.
Mark McWilliams was appointed to MiDDC as a representative of the state's protection and advocacy (P&A) system on October 15, 2021. Mark has served with P&A systems in various states since 1986, and most of his time has been spent working on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities. He joined when the opportunity was available to serve as the P&A representative to further his growth as an advocate and ally.
Mark's goal is to improve employment for people with developmental disabilities through his service on the council. Mark's career accomplishments include being an editor on the DRM Students with Disabilities manual, supporting the passage of restrictions on the use of restraint and seclusion in school and mentoring the next generation of managers and leaders. His favorite place in Michigan is the northwest Lower Peninsula, including the Tunnel of Trees and Little Traverse Bay.
Iris Mehler was appointed to MiDDC as a family member on December 21, 2023. Iris has worked in Midland County and beyond to advocate for policies that support both individuals with disabilities and their families. Her experience with disability advocacy for families of children with disabilities and her passion for creating a more inclusive and supportive society led to her interest in joining the council.
Iris's goal is to improve the support for families of children and adults with disabilities through her service on the council. She wants to prioritize supporting families, which will help ensure that people with disabilities receive the love and care they need to flourish. She is passionate about social justice, and she is a first-generation immigrant that is proud to call Michigan home. Her favorite place is Midland's Grove Park due to it being the first all-inclusive "Changing Places" restroom in Michigan.
Biography coming soon.
Areeba Nadeem was appointed to MiDDC as a self-advocate on May 2, 2024. Areeba says her late diagnosis of autism in her early 20s combined with a severe misunderstanding of autism in her Pakistani immigrant community inspired her to work with community leaders to start an autism awareness group at her local mosque, which became a Michigan chapter of a like-minded non-profit organization called Muhsen. Areeba's disability advocacy work led to her interest in joining the council.
Areeba's goal is for her service to have an impact on people who face intersectional struggles, including women, non-binary people, immigrants, and religious people of color. She wants to find ways to help educate people on the social circumstances of disability and what that means for neurodivergence. Her favorite place in Michigan is the Rochester Municipal Park.
Leah Ortiz was appointed to MiDDC as a non-profit representative on December 14, 2023. Leah's experience as both a parent and leader of a disability rights advocacy organization have deepened her passion for serving the disability community. She joined the Council to further advocate for inclusion and the advancement of civil rights for people with disabilities.
Leah's goal is for her service on the council to have a lasting impact on policies related to guardianship, supported decision-making, and sexual health for people with disabilities. Leah's passions outside of disability advocacy are reading, running, and traveling. Her favorite place in Michigan is Saugatuck.
Biography coming soon.
Jason Reaves was appointed to MiDDC as the Self-Advocates of Michigan (SAM) representative on October 1, 2023. Jason says that his experience working with SAM was the reason he became interested in the council. Jason currently serves as the Chairperson of SAM.
Jason's goal is for his service on the council to have a lasting, positive impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Outside of his work with SAM and the council, Jason loves to read and research in his free time. His favorite place in Michigan is anywhere he can be with animals.
Amanda Rhines was appointed to MiDDC as a family member on October 1, 2023. Amanda says her journey was rooted in her experience as a parent to a son with Down syndrome and autism. Her son's immediate segregation as he entered kindergarten compelled Amanda to advocate for changes to our education system. Amanda joined the Council to advocate for systems change and ensure children like her son are recognized for their abilities and potential.
Amanda's goal is for her service on the Council to lead to inclusive education as the expected norm rather than the fought for exception. Amanda serves as the Executive Director of Disability Network Lakeshore. She is a fierce advocate for community inclusion being rooted in universal design. Her favorite place in Michigan is anywhere in Lake Michigan in August.
Biography coming soon.
Biography coming soon.
Biography coming soon.
Biography coming soon.
Maureen Webster was appointed to MiDDC as a state agency representative on December 14, 2023. Maureen is a licensed professional counselor and joined Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) in 2008 serving students and youth with disabilities in Ingham County. She worked with individuals with disabilities to promote employment goals and connect individuals with community supports to help with the transition from the public school system into adulthood. Maureen joined the Council to hear directly from the disability community and other advocacy organizations to ensure MRS does their best to serve all who are interested in employment.
Maureen's goal is for her service on the Council to increase awareness of the supports MRS can offer individuals with disabilities to achieve gainful employment. Maureen has over 15 years of experience developing programming to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. She encourages everyone to explore career options and gain work experience early on. Her favorite place in Michigan is Grand Rapids.
Sarah Winslow was appointed to MiDDC as a family member on October 15, 2021. Sarah has spent her entire career working with youth and young adults with disabilities in an educational setting. Her experience as a parent and professional led to her interest in joining the Council so that she can better support youth with disabilities in Michigan.
Sarah's goal is for her service on the Council to have a positive impact on community partnership, awareness, and collaboration. She would like to see more community organizations partner together and support one another. Sarah is very passionate about employment of young adults with disabilities. Her favorite place in Michigan is being at home with her family.
