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Network Members nominated to the FCC's Disability Advisory Committee

March 30, 2015

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) held the first meeting and appointment of members to, the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC or Committee) on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, at the FCC's headquarters.

The DAC will provide advice and recommendations to the Commission on a wide array of disability matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission and facilitate the participation of people with disabilities in proceedings before the Commission. The DAC is being organized under, and operated in accordance with, the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

"I am tremendously excited for the FCC's Disability Advisory Committee to begin its important work," said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. "This new Committee will provide sorely needed expertise and recommendations from consumer and industry stakeholders on communications and video programming issues. We look forward to using this expertise to improve our ability to meet the needs of consumers with disabilities."

During its first meeting, members of the Committee discussed (i) the roles and responsibilities of the Committee and its members; (ii) issues that the Committee will address; (iii) recommended subcommittees, subcommittee membership and meeting schedule, and the tasks for which each subcommittee will be responsible; and (iv) any other topics related to the DAC's work that may arise.

 

MEMBERS OF THE FCC DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

E. Elaine Gardner, Designated Federal Officer


 Chair: Andrew Phillips, National Association of the Deaf

  • Maggie Nygren, Executive Director & CEO, American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities 
  • Henry Claypool, Executive Vice President, American Association of People with Disabilities 
  • Eric Bridges, Director of External Relations and Policy , American Council of the Blind 
  • Mark Richert, Director of Public Policy, American Foundation for the Blind 

  • Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola, Director, University Center for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities, American Samoa Community College, Association of University Centers on Disabilities

  • Alternate:  Phyllis Guinivan, Project Manager, Center for Disability Studies, University of Delaware, Association of University Centers on Disabilities

  • Susan Mazrui, Director of Public Policy

  • Alternate:  Jamie Tan, Director of Federal Regulatory, AT&T 

  • Paul Michaelis, Distinguished Engineer

  • Alternate:  Mark Fletcher, ENP, Chief Architect, Worldwide Public Safety Solutions, AVAYA
  • Richard Ray, ADA Technology Access Coordinator, City of Los Angeles, Department on Disability
  • Eddie Martinez, DeafBlind Service Coordinator, Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
  • Thomas Wlodkowski, Vice President for Accessibility, Comcast
  • Alexander Reynolds, Senior Manager and Regulatory Counsel, Consumer Electronics Association
  • Matthew Gerst, Director of State Regulatory & External Affairs, CTIA - the Wireless Association
  • Jamie Taylor, Representative, Deaf Blind Citizens in Action

  • Al Sonnenstrahl, Vice President

  • Alternate:  Nancy Rarus, President, Deaf Seniors of America 

  • Lee Knife, Executive Director

  • Alternate:  Gregory Barnes, Digital Media Association 

  • Dr. Christian Vogler, Associate Professor and Director, Technology Access Program, Gallaudet Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Improving the Accessibility, Usability and Performance of Technology for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Lise Hamlin, Director of Public Policy, Hearing Loss Association of America
  • Bryen Yunashko, Regional Representative and National Advocacy Specialist, Helen Keller National Center
  • Jim Tobias, Principal, Inclusive Technologies
  • Toni Dunne, ENP, External Affairs Manager, Access to 9-1-1 Emergency Services Sector, Intrado, Inc.
  • Joshua Pila, General Counsel, Local Media, Meredith Corporation, National Association of Broadcasters
  • Brenda Kelly-Frey, Relay Director, Maryland Relay, National Association for State Relay Administration
  • Kari Cooke, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, National Black Deaf Advocates

  • Diane Burstein, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, National Cable & Telecommunications Association

  • Everette Bacon, Field Services Coordinator,Utah Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, National Federation of the Blind

  • JoAnn Becker, Technical Support Specialist, Perkins School for the Blind

  • Alternate:  Marcia Brooks, National Project Manager, Perkins School for the Blind, Perkins

  • Sam Joehl, Accessibility Consultant, SSB BART Group

  • James Forstall, Chair

  • Alternate:  Sabrina Fields, Vice Chair, Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Programs Association

  • Claude Stout, Executive Director

  • Alternate:  Blake Reid, Assistant Clinical Professor, Samuelson-Glushko Technology Law & Policy Clinic, Colorado Law, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc.

  • Dr. Ann Marie Rohaly, Director, Accessibility Policy and Standards, Regulatory Affairs, Microsoft

  • Alternate:  Avonne Bell, Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Telecommunications Industry Association 

  • Abe Rafi, Director, Digital Strategy & Online Services, The Arc 

  • Jeff Kramer, Executive Director, Strategic Alliances and Public Policy, Verizon

  • Dr. Helena Mitchell, Executive Director, Center for Advanced Communications Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center

  • Larry Goldberg, Director of Accessible Media, YAHOO! 

  • Ron Bibler, Consumer

  • Hannah Thompson, Consumer

Ex Officio Federal Government Representatives (Non-Voting Members)

  • Timothy P. Creagan, Senior Accessibility Specialist

  • Alternate:  Bruce Bailey, Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board 

  • Gay Jones, Disability Integration Communications Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency 

  • Mohammed Yousuf, Research Transportation Specialist, Office of Operations Research and Development, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration