The son of West African immigrant parents from Ghana , Michael Kwame Agyin was raised in Compton, California. He is a disability advocate bringing awareness to Disability and Deaf issues affecting people in our state and in the city and county of Los Angeles. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) where he was later awarded the CSUN National Center on Deafness Outstanding Humanitarian Award. After earning his degree, he was determined to break the barrier between the Deaf and hearing worlds, to become a bridge builder for people with disabilities. He became a accessibility lead for the Marriott Foundation Bridges Program for youth with disabilities and he was also appointed Outreach Coordinator for “Deafestival,” a citywide event to raise awareness, promote pride, and recognize the accomplishments of the Deaf community. Michael spent four years on the Youth Leadership Governing Board of the National Youth Leadership Network and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the California State Independent Living Council for six years. He currently an independent DEI&A consultant and a former behavior therapist with Inclusive Education and Community Partnership, Inclusion and Accessibility Consultant, Activist and Tedx speaker. Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson honored Agyin for his work as a Deaf Awareness Advocate, saying that “Michael is an impressive role-model, not just for the Deaf community, but for everyone.”

Commissioner Danielle Sheppard was appointed by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell of the Second District on August 10, 2021.

Commissioner Sheppard is the Program Coordinator of the College to Career (C2C) Program at West LA College. College to Career (C2C) is comprised of programs of instruction designed to provide young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism (ASD) with higher education and vocational training. Students are enrolled for three years and receive supports to be successful with coursework, to participate in activities on campus, in the community, in work-based instruction and to secure/maintain competitive integrated employment. C2Cs are located on the campuses of eight California Community College campuses across the State, including West LA College.

Commissioner Sheppard is a consultant and liaison to many programs and projects pertaining to equity and inclusion, disability awareness, and adult transition, and is also a former Counselor and Manager at the State of California Department of Rehabilitation. She is a passionate, dedicated leader in the community concerning disability rights for Los Angelenos.

Commissioner John B. Troost is currently the 2nd Vice President of the Commission on Disabilities appointed by Supervisor Kenneth Hahn of the Second District him in 1975. Moreover, he was re-appointed by Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke in 2000 and by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas in 2015.

Commissioner Troost has served as President for the Commission from 1982-1984 and 2011-2012, was Vice President from 1980-1982 and 2nd Vice President from 2013-2015. He also represented the Commission from 1978-1982 as a member of the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, during the planning stages of the Kenneth Hahn Regional Park & Recreational Area in Baldwin Hills. Presently, he serves as a representative of Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities to the Access Board of Directors of Access Services, Inc. He continues to serve as Chairman of the Education Committee for the Commission since 1978.

Commissioner Troost also serves his community as a member of two Handicapped Advisory Committees at the Los Angeles Southwest College and the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. He has served the City of Culver City as a member of their 504 Ad hoc Committee and with their Disability Advisory Committee.

Commissioner Troost holds an Associates of Arts Degree (AA) in History from El Camino College, and a Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) & master’s degree (MS) in Education from the University of Southern California. From 1989 to 1992, he worked as a Handicapped Specialist/Work Ability III, Program Coordinator at LA Trade Technical College. Since 1995, he has been a member of the Culver City Optimist Club, a service club that donates toys to hospitalized children.

Commissioner Troost has over the past four decades, worked as a Vocational Counselor for various independent living programs, and has spent several years working within California’s higher education system as a researcher, fundraiser, and teacher.