Human Development Center

Shannon D’Aquila serves as the Chairperson to the committee. She is a retired school teacher and is the mother of two young ladies. Her youngest daughter, Kathleen, was diagnosed with Autism at the age of two. Since that time, she has advocated for both her daughter and other children with special needs, particularly Autism, with the school system, legislation, insurance companies, Jefferson Parish Human Services Authorities, medical professionals, and therapy providers. She assists other parents in navigating the waiver system and encouraging them to see the benefits of self direction. She has been a family participant in HDC’s LASARD project and a LEND family mentor for several years. Second only to having all of her daughter’s needs met, she is most passionate about families of children with disabilities both being empowered to advocate for themselves and their loved ones and having knowledge on how to receive appropriate services.

Jamie Duplechine serves on the CAC as a self-advocate. Jamie’s most unique characteristic is her drive and resilience, and uses her own story to encourage others. After becoming paralyzed from a car accident when she was 15-years old, her main focus was not “getting better,” but learning how to live life as if nothing changed. She strives to show others that you can adapt and move forward despite the situation you’re in.

Jamie is committed to teaching adaptability and creating change in the disability community through her work as a program coordinator for People First of Louisiana, a self-advocacy organization run by individuals with disabilities for individuals with disabilities.

Jamie is proud of everything she has accomplished since her injury. To name a few titles, Jamie was awarded Ms. Wheelchair Louisiana in 2015 and 2017, 2020 “Advocate of the Year” from Arc of Louisiana, and the GODA Gold Award in 2016.

Jamie also serves as chair for the statewide Independent Living Council. She is an honorary board member of the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana/United Spinal Association Louisiana Chapter.

Kira Friedrich serves on the CAC as a parent to a son with a disability and special health care needs. Kira and her family’s experience with disability is not in isolation. After their son Aidan spent 7-months in the NICU, the Friedrich family foster a community of people still engaged in Aidan’s achievements years later. Kira is now committed to spreading awareness about the limitations people with disabilities experience everywhere she goes.

Kira is a Program Monitor at the Office of Public Health. She also serves on the Special Education Advisory Committee for NOLA Pubic Schools and rides in the Krewe of Muses.

In 2021, Paul was the only active board member that is on the autism spectrum for Autism Society of Acadiana. He was also a facilitator of a rural Asperger’s support group called Managing Asperger’s Together (M.A.T.), catering to St. Landry, Evangeline, and Acadia Parishes.

It is Paul's purpose, duty, and responsibility to bring about long overdue education reform for today’s youth struggling with Autism. His ongoing quest is to speak for those like him who either cannot speak for themselves or have lost hope in a system that does not help us recognize our individual strengths, foster creativity, and fully prepare us to transition into adulthood to better guarantee a higher standard of living. He also wishes for Autistic adults to have access to the same resources as today’s Autistic children, and for undiagnosed adults to have greater access to resources.

Before retiring in 2024, Mary Jacob was the Executive Director of Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center, the federally funded parent center for the State of Louisiana through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a project of Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans. Mary is a graduate of the William & Mary Law School Special Education Advocacy Program, the BoardSource Executive Leadership Program, and has a Board Certification for Advocacy in Special Education through the National Association of Special Education Teachers.

Mary’s personal connection to disabilities and motivation to become a fierce advocate were her daughters, who both received special education services. She brings the unique perspective of witnessing firsthand the challenges many parents face in accessing quality special education services for their children.

Mary has supported the LSUHSC Human Development Center over the years by assisting them to build capacity and inspire change across all their initiatives.

Wilbert Johnson is an Administrative Coordinator at Human Development Center. His personal goals include learning and striving to be the best. Wilbert is a person with a learning disability. He doesn’t allow his disability to stop him from achieving his dreams, and he takes pride in being an inspiration. Wilbert is currently working on an associate degree in Hospitality Management. He lives by the motto: “Be the best you can be always.”

David Legendre serves on the CAC as a self-advocate with decades of experience working in fields related to disability. While currently retired, David’s career included roles such as Certified Community Work Incentive Coordinator, Employment Specialist. Benefits Planner, and multiple administrative roles in disability organizations.

David is proud of his 20 years spent on the Public Policy Committee of United Cerebral Palsy of America. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Disability Rights Louisiana and McMains Developmental Center.

David has worked with the Human Development Center’s Transition, Employment, and Careers initiatives throughout the years. David spends his free time reading and enjoys traveling.

Sigmund Morel serves on the CAC as a representative for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS). As an LRS Program Coordinator, Sigmund coordinates Pre-ETS services statewide with regional offices, vendors, and contractors. Previously, Sigmund worked in the Louisiana TOPS scholarship program. He helped shape the program and presented TOPS at high schools and colleges statewide so that young people would have the opportunity to attend college. Sigmund’s current passion is helping students on the autism spectrum further their education after high school or join the workforce.

Jeff Rowe serves on the CAC as a representative of Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA). He is the Program Director for DRLA’s Community Living Ombudsman Program, a Louisiana network of trained advocates who visit persons with developmental disabilities living in group or community homes. He is passionate about inclusion and people being generally mindful of disability.

Jeff is proud to sit as the chairperson for the Mayor’s Council for Citizens with Disabilities for 5-years now. He is also a part of the Louisiana chapter of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).

Patsy and her husband of 38 years, Jeffrey, have five children and seven grandchildren. Her 20-year-old son, Michael, has Prader-Willi Syndrome and her 17 year-old-son, Jeffrey, is on the Autism Spectrum. Over the years, she has worked to educate herself about advocacy in the disability community, and is now committed to bringing self-advocates to the table.. She has completed the Partners in Policymaking and the LEND programs, as well as the Prader-Willi Syndrome WYATT Advocates for Education program. She is active with the Regional Advisory Council for Region 3, St Charles Council on Aging, St. Charles Parish Early Childhood Development Policy Council, LASARD, PAIMI Council, Board of Directors of the Advocacy Center, PWSA(USA) Louisiana, and PWSA (USA) Advocacy Committee. She has also served on the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, as well as the Louisiana Department of Education Special Education Advisory Panel. Her philosophy is not to change her child to fit the world, but to change the world to fit her child.