KUCDD Consumer Advisory Panel (KUCDD-CAP)
The KUCDD Consumer Advisory Panel (KUCDD-CAP) is an advisory council; a majority of its members are people with developmental disabilities.
The primary function of the KUCDD-CAP is to advise KUCDD’s director, researchers, and staff about issues that are important to people with developmental disabilities and their families in Kansas. The KUCDD-CAP also provides advice regarding the center’s strategic plan and offers feedback to researchers on their current projects, as well as advice about new proposals. Perhaps most importantly, the KUCDD-CAP connects the KUCDD to other organizations in Kansas that are working to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. The KUCDD-CAP meets virtually or face-to-face four times each year.
KUCDD-CAP Members
Chris Testorff
Chairperson
Yates Center, KS
My name is Chris Testorff. I am a Past-President of the Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas and have spent many years advocating for people with disabilities. I try my best to encourage everyone I meet to recognize their value to the world and to be the best person they can be, and that includes people with disabilities. I am proud to be the Chairperson of the KUCDD/LEND Consumer Advisory Panel and to contribute to all of the great work at KUCDD and LEND.
Kathy Lobb
Vice Chairperson
Lawrence, KS
My name is Kathy Lobb. I am an I/DD & Aging Specialist with the Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas. During the 2021 Kansas legislative session, a bill was proposed which requires the state to actively, intentionally employ people with disabilities. This bill was named “Kathy’s Bill” after me, because I had requested the state do this every year for twenty years! I live in my own home in Lawrence.
Aaron Alspach
Self-advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK) representative
Garden City, KS
My name is Aaron Alspach. I’ve been an advocate since 2001. Some of my leadership activities have included visiting with Sen. Moran about Amtrak and transportation for people with disabilities and participating in Push Day at the Capitol in Topeka. I am the current Vice President of the Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas and I recently graduated from Kansas Leadership Center training.
Askia Adams
Member
Kansas City, KS
My name is Ski Adams. I have been a disability advocate for over twenty-three years. Some advocacy activities I have worked on include passages on the Kansas Employment First Law and serving on a five-year core grant review team.
Stephanie Schaffer
Member
Leawood, KS
Hi, I’m Stephanie Schaffer, mom to two children, one who is physically and intellectually disabled and diagnosed with autism and anxiety. I have been an advocate for my son for 18 years, served on the advisory panel for over two years and completed LEND training
Rocky Nichols
Disability Rights Center of Kansas representative
Topeka, KS
My name is Rocky Nichols. I am the Executive Director at the Disability Rights Center (DRC) of Kansas. I have over 30 years of experience in non-profit leadership and public policy advocacy (11 as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, two as legislative staff, and the remainder at DRC Kansas).
Steve Gieber
DD Council Dir Rep
Salina, KS
My name is Steve Gieber. I am the Executive Director at the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities and President of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.
Jason Cooper
Member at Large
Garden City, KS
My name is Jason Cooper. I am a self-advocate who lives in Garden City, Kansas. Advocacy for people with disabilities is very important to me, and I have been involved in the self-advocacy movement for many years. I enjoy attending and presenting at SACK conferences, and participating in the SACK chapter in Garden City. I enjoy serving on the KUCDD-LEND CAP and am proud of the work we do.
KUCDD-CAP Liaisons
Brad Linnenkamp
KU Lawrence Campus
My name is Brad Linnenkamp. I work for the University of Kansas Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD) as the Community Liaison. Before coming to KUCDD, I worked for the Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas for 20 years. I sit on several state and national committees including the Self-Advocate Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) National Advisory Board where advocates from across the United States are gathering resources for advocacy to be available in one place.
Jessica Schuttler
Kansas University Medical Center
My name is Jessica Schuttler. I have worked as a psychologist in clinical and school settings with a disability focus for the past 15 years. I am also the Training Director for the Kansas Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program and KUMC Site Director for KUCDD. I am grateful to work with the CAP and to have worked with and learned from many children, families, students, and professionals over my years in the field.