Tom Dowling

Received a B.A degree in mathematics in 1971 at Gallaudet University. Been retired as a statistician after completing 40 years of service with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Once been a first chairperson of SEC Disability Issues Advisory Committee (SEC-DIAC), comprised of employees with disabilities in the Commission. Being married to a deaf wife and a father of two deaf adults, I have been advocated different issues as a member of Virginia Association of the Deaf, Inc, (VAD), such as a stakeholder in a most recent bill, to develop a guideline to ensure the hospital that deaf/hh patients and family members with sensory disabilities are able to communicate effectively with health providers across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Currently participating in a state legislative process to ensure that deaf/hh in their infancy receive appropriate education with most effective communication. A past member of WMATA METRO Accessible Advisory Committee(AAC) overseeing mass transit(buses and subway) system accessible for people with disabilities for 24 years, once involved in the instrument to direct TTYs being installed in the subway system as well as to establish direct receptions by mobile phone providers in any Metro facilities with supplied federal funds.

A past member of Virginia Board for People with Disabilities appointed by past Governors for eight years, I oversaw the distribution of fund administrated by a federal agency, Administration for Development with Disabilities (ADD) for education, employment, and community involvement across the Commonwealth. Currently a member of Deaf Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network(DHHCAN) Committee communicating with Telecommunication of the Deaf, Inc (TDI) and National Association of the Deaf, Inc. (NAD) to assure the federal regulation written, run, and, if any, enforced, by various government such as FCC, DOL, DOT. Been a resident in Fairfax County VA since 1975 and I have been member of NVRC since 1985.