SILC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SILC members are volunteers appointed by the Governor.
Sheila Kitchens, Chair
Martinez, GA
sheliasky@hotmail.com
Shelia Kitchens holds her master’s degree in Science Management and leadership degree from Southern Wesleyan University. Kitchens previously served as the Outreach, Advocacy, and Development Coordinator for Walton Options Center for Independent Living in Augusta, Georgia. She lives in Martinez and has a son, Cornelious Jaques Lyons, who is serving in the U.S. Army in Kuwait.
Reshell Baldini, Vice Chair
Atlanta, GA
reshellbaldini21@bellsouth.net
Founding board member of GiGi’s Playhouse in Atlanta and parent of a 10 year old daughter with Down Syndrome. Reshell has worked towards programs, therapies and special education for kids with different abilities.
Yaser Abdallah, Treasurer
Decatur, GA
yasplan@gmail.com
Yaser Abdallah is a district activist leader for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He is an advocate for the Georgia Money Follows the Person program, the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Council for Developmental Disabilities. Yas earned a bachelor’s degree from Governors State University. He has one child and two grandchildren. Abdallah resides in Decatur.
Matthew Dooley, Secretary
Roswell, GA
mddooley11@gmail.com
Matthew is 26 years old and lives with Cerebral Palsy (CP). He is an education advocate who shares his story, speaking throughout the state about his K-12 school experiences. He has spent two years on the development team for Extra Special People based in Watkinsville which is a non profit who serves children and young adults with developmental disabilities by running summer camp and after school programs. He is looking forward to moving to Champions Place—the first living environment for young adults with physical disabilities to live independently.
OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS
Savannah Abbott
Lafayette, GA
savannahabbott13@gmail.com
Tim Cartledge
Oxford, GA
timkcartledge@aol.com
Kim Gibson
Atlanta, GA
kgibson@disabilitylink.org
Kim Gibson is the executive director of disABILITY LINK. She is a member of several subcommittees for the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and sits on the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living board of directors as the external vice president. Gibson received the 2014 NCIL “Women’s Caucus Hall of Family Award” for her mentorship of women with disabilities. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Brescia University. Gibson has one child and resides in Decatur.
Juan Maitland
Lithonia, GA
juan.maitland@gmail.com
Juan Maitland spent much of his young life in New York City, following his family’s emigration from his birthplace of Panama. In 1979, he was the victim of an armed robbery that left him paralyzed. Undeterred by his disability, Juan obtained his Associates Degree from Penn Foster College and went on to enjoy a successful career in the television media industry. Widely respected for his expertise in rights analysis, he has worked for such entertainment giants as Warner Media (formerly Turner Broadcasting), UP Entertainment and Aspire TV and his current employer, Katz Networks. Juan dedicates much of his spare time to the empowerment of those with disabilities. He co-founded Turner Broadcasting’s disabilities awareness resource group and has been an avid supporter of ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), advocating for the rights of the disabled community.
Danny Housley
Atlanta, GA
dannyhousley@gmail.com
Danny Housley currently works as the Assistive Technology Equipment Case Manager for the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. Previously, Danny has worked at Tools for Life at Georgia Tech where he managed Credit-Able, the alternative financing program for Georgia. He also worked at disABILITY LINK in Tucker GA where he was a peer support specialist with a focus on assistive technology and social media. Danny is an active advocate in Georgia serving as the board chair of disABILITY LINK, the secretary for Atlanta Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of GA, a member of Georgia ADAPT, an advisory council member of the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University, a board member of National Disability Finance Coalition and National Disability CDFI Coalition. He is thrilled to offer his support and experience to the SILC of GA.
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Savannah Abbott
Lafayette, GA
savannahabbott13@gmail.com
Tim Cartledge
Oxford, GA
timkcartledge@aol.com
Kim Gibson
Atlanta, GA
kgibson@disabilitylink.org
Kim Gibson is the executive director of disABILITY LINK. She is a member of several subcommittees for the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and sits on the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living board of directors as the external vice president. Gibson received the 2014 NCIL “Women’s Caucus Hall of Family Award” for her mentorship of women with disabilities. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Brescia University. Gibson has one child and resides in Decatur.
Juan Maitland
Lithonia, GA
juan.maitland@gmail.com
Juan Maitland spent much of his young life in New York City, following his family’s emigration from his birthplace of Panama. In 1979, he was the victim of an armed robbery that left him paralyzed. Undeterred by his disability, Juan obtained his Associates Degree from Penn Foster College and went on to enjoy a successful career in the television media industry. Widely respected for his expertise in rights analysis, he has worked for such entertainment giants as Warner Media (formerly Turner Broadcasting), UP Entertainment and Aspire TV and his current employer, Katz Networks. Juan dedicates much of his spare time to the empowerment of those with disabilities. He co-founded Turner Broadcasting’s disabilities awareness resource group and has been an avid supporter of ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), advocating for the rights of the disabled community.
Danny Housley
Atlanta, GA
dannyhousley@gmail.com
Danny Housley currently works as the Assistive Technology Equipment Case Manager for the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. Previously, Danny has worked at Tools for Life at Georgia Tech where he managed Credit-Able, the alternative financing program for Georgia. He also worked at disABILITY LINK in Tucker GA where he was a peer support specialist with a focus on assistive technology and social media. Danny is an active advocate in Georgia serving as the board chair of disABILITY LINK, the secretary for Atlanta Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of GA, a member of Georgia ADAPT, an advisory council member of the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University, a board member of National Disability Finance Coalition and National Disability CDFI Coalition. He is thrilled to offer his support and experience to the SILC of GA.