Tom Webb appointed to Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council

Tom Webb is director of the Office of Disability Services.

Tom Webb, director of the Office of Disability Services at Wright State University, was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine to the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council.

Webb received a three-year appointment on the council, which promotes the full access and independence of people with disabilities.

Webb is one of 19 members appointed to the council by the governor of Ohio. Council members are responsible for the development and oversight of Ohio’s State Plan for Independent Living, a three-year strategic plan for Ohio to work toward successful outcomes of improving access, inclusion, and independence.

The council also provides technical assistance to Ohio’s 12 Centers for Independent Living, which provide services to assist people with disabilities to live independently in the communities of their choosing.

For the last five years, Webb has served on the board of the local Access Center for Independent Living, which provides services in Montgomery, Greene, Clark and Preble counties.

“As a person with a disability, I am acutely familiar with the work of the independent living movement and how it has helped empower the disability community over the past 40-plus years,” Webb said. “I am drawn to the work of the Statewide Independent Living Council because the council can be an effective agent of change that helps create more significant opportunities in housing, transportation, employment and education for Ohioans with disabilities.”

As a member of the council, Webb will assist with updating the State Plan for Independent Living to make systemic improvements to the resources and opportunities available to Ohioans with disabilities.

“I hope to offer a fresh and innovative perspective on how to best create inclusive communities around the state while building new partnerships with businesses and local governments to make Ohio a place where barriers to opportunities are eliminated,” he said.

Kevin Flynn, chair of the Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council (OSILC), said the council is excited to welcome Webb to the board.

“His background and experience will be a great addition and provide valuable insight as we continue to promote the empowerment, independence and inclusion of individuals with disabilities across Ohio in all areas of life, including housing, medical care, transportation and employment. OSILC will be stronger with Tom’s addition to the council in providing a strong voice for persons with disabilities,” Flynn said.

Webb joined Wright State as the director of disability services in 2014.

Wright State’s Office of Disability Services offers services, programs and activities that allow students with disabilities to participate in all facets of university life, according to their unique abilities and interests. Over 800 students with ADD/ADHD, learning, medical, physical and/or psychological disabilities participate in the office’s programs.

Prior to joining Wright State, Webb served as the director of disability support services at the University of Delaware; director of student academic support services at McDaniel College; and director of student support services at Chesapeake College.

He also served for two years in Washington, D.C., as a Kennedy Disability Policy Fellow, working with the 110th Congress on multiple policy issues related to education, labor and disability. His efforts in that role included negotiating and drafting the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008.

In 2009, he was appointed by the governor of Maryland as chair of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.

Webb earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in psychology from Washington College in Maryland.