DAVID D’ARCANGELO
Disabilty Policy Expert with 25 years of experience
Profile
DAVID D’ARCANGELO
Disabilty Policy Expert with 25 years of experience
Bio Language
Hello, I am a person with a disability, an advocate for people with disabilities, and a public policy leader trying to improve our human condition. If you need perspectives and experience with disabilities then I can build value for your efforts.
Did you know that about two-thirds of all working-age people with disabilities are not in the labor force? Or that people with disabilities encounter some of the highest rates of discrimination?
As a person with a disability and the Father of a daughter with a significant Developmental Disability, my goal is to enhance access to opportunities that improve independence and self-determination for all our people.
My Beacon Hill education combined with 25 years of experience in government and public service provides me with the expertise necessary to affect positive change.
From my experience as a Presidential appointee and elected official, my expertise includes leading organizations, managing multi-million dollar budgets, and using technology to modernize systems.
We have been steadily making progress and I keep trying to influence people to provide access to opportunities for people with disabilities.
From increasing the number of curb cuts in Massachusetts to better national access to dental care for people with intellectual disabilities we have gotten results that matter.
Now our work has just begun. Join me as we seek to influence major brands and corporate partners to the tremendous potential contained within our community of people.
Because we are all in various states of ability.
So, it is up to us, do we want to focus on what we can do or the things that we can’t do? By now you probably know how I feel. So join me, let’s help pave that path to prosperity.
Join me in trying to change our world for the better.
Please like and subscribe to help me enlist more people to our work. https://www.youtube.com/@DisabilityPolicyExpert/featured
Experience & Leadership Progression
Experience & Leadership Progression
Experience Leadership Progression
Commissioner, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
2018–Present
Leadership Impact: Lead and direct staff of 133, Report to the Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS), Manage and administer a $36.7M budget, Serve as State Director to the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration regarding Vocational Rehabilitation programs for the blind, Serve as Co-Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee for the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Workforce Planning Initiative
Council Member, National Council on Disability
2020-2022
Keadership Impact: Serve as a council member to advise the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities, Appointed by the President, Serve on Strategic Plan Committee.
Director, Massachusetts Office on Disability
2015–2018
Leadership Impact: Agency Head and leader of the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA) Coordinator for the Executive Branch of Massachusetts state government. Catalyst who idenfied and diagnosed problems then created solotions and implemented programs that led to new positve actions. Member of the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board; Made recommendations for appointment of new members to the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board, Advisor for policy development and implementation, Expert on Disability Access and Employment Policies. Led staff of 14 and $3M budget.
City Councilor At Large, Malden Massachusetts, Elected 2011
Re-elected 2013 & 2015
Leadership Impact: Elected to City Council 3 times, Set policy; adopted ordinances, orders and resolutions, Reviewed and approved the City’s annual budget of greater than $173M
Approved/confirmed appropriations & appointments, Chief Negotiator for the Everett Casino “Surrounding Communities Agreement”, positioning Malden to receive $20M in future revenue
Candidate for Secretary of State
2014
Leadership Impact: Won Nomination for Secretary of State. First statewide candidate in Massachusetts to identify as a person with a disability to reach a general election ballot.
Broadened and enhanced the perception of the MassGOP slate by putting forth a candidate with a disability, Delivered highly inspirational speeches by memory, and invigorated audiences by taking ‘selfies’. Received more endorsements from Mass. newspapers than any other candidate, except the Governor.
Founder & Managing Director Arc Angel Communications
2008–2014
Leadership Impact: Stood up a select-consultancy Public Relations and communications company specializing in issue advocacy and online promotion
Created and implemented PR Plans, direct mail campaigns, websites & blogs for clients
Obtained major market media coverage, achieved top ranking in both Google and Yahoo searches for websites created and maintained by Arc Angel.
Lecturer of Communication & Journalism, Suffolk University
2010–2014
Leadership Impact: Taught Professional Communications & Public Speaking at major Beacon Hill University, created curriculum, challenged students to learn, and instructed them on how to become an expert communicators.
Regional Development Manager, CSI Support & Development Services
2007–2008
Leadership Impact: Identified multimillion dollar parcels of land for disabled and senior housing for the nation’s largest non-profit rental CO-OP managing 53 buildings, and 6,200 apartment units, across 4 states.
Chief Communication Officer, M&L Transit Systems, Inc
2004–2007
Leadership Impact: Developed organizational communication systems, created and optimized websites, identified severe lack of funds. Designed a corporate budget and turnaround plan and turned $40K monthly losses into $10K monthly gains. Streamlined company spending.
Communication Coordinator & Municipal Liaison for Assistant Minority Leader, Massachusetts State Senate
1999–2003
Program Coordinator, Mass. Department of Education
2003
Correspondence Aide, Governor’s Office
1998–1999
Trade Mission Assistant, Massachusetts Office of International Trade
1996–1998
Boards & Commissions
Boards & Commissions
Boards & Commissions
Member, National Industries for the Blind
2023-Present
Member, Lesley University Threshold Advisory Council, 2018–Present
Provide guidance to Threshold leadership regarding state and national trends in disability employment policies.
Chair, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Rehabilitation Council
2005–2014
Appointed and reappointed by 2 different governors respectively. The intellectual driving force behind Blind Commission. Spearheaded development of new reports on vocational rehabilitation for the blind, from the ground up, for the Commission for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).Spearheaded development of new reports on vocational rehabilitation for the blind, from the ground up, for the Commission for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
`
Board Member, Malden Planning Board
2002–2008
Appointed by Mayor, Ruled on Variance and Special Permit Applications. Advocated for policies that increased access with modest density and promote traditional neighborhoods reducing urban sprawl.
Board of Directors for 501c3, Tailored for Success
2009–2013
Prepared people in delicate situations (battered women, incarcerated, others) to reenter the workforce. Provided interview and work attire; and provide interview preparation, resume development, and job coaching skills.
Board of Directors, For The Arc of Middlesex East, EMARC (501c3)
2008–2011
Provided support to persons with developmental disabilities. Consultant to leadership during executive director position change-over. Managed all PR for 3 months
Board of Directors, Resource Partnership (501c3)
2006–2008
Focused on getting people with disabilities into the labor force.
Member, Braille Literacy Advisory Council
1999
Appointed by the Commissioner of Education to the Department of Education Subcommittee; Statutory Advisory Council to the Mass. Department of Education.
Notable Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Notable Speaking Engagements & Presentations
Notable Speaking Engagements & Presentations
- Guest Lecturer to Northwestern University Master of Science in Social and Economic Policy Program, Evanston IL, 2022
- Panelist for State-of-the-Science on Disability Statistics Conference, Washington D.C. 2022
- Featured Speaker Lesley University Thought Leadership Series, A Quest for Independence & Inclusion: Why Employment Matters for People with Disabilities, 2021
- Presenter and panelist for the Department of Defense 2021 Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) Virtual Joint Disability and Reasonable Accommodations Summit: “Adapting to a New Virtual World”, 2021
- Moderated Panel – CSG Presents 30 Years of ADA, 2020
- Keynote Speaker for the National Braille Challenge presented by the Braille Institute, 2020
- Member/Panelist in SourceAmerica’s Advisory Committee regarding the “Future of Work and the Disability Community” Washington DC., 2019.
- Presenter at the 2018 National ADA Symposium, Creating a Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program, Pittsburgh, PA, June18, 2018
- Panelist on Disability Employment Policy at the American Enterprise Institute, Washington D.C. “Improving Opportunity for People with Disabilities: Understanding Trends and Effective Return-to-Work Strategies.” Washington, DC., February 7, 2017
- Keynote speaker at the 9th Annual Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference, Springfield, MA, April 30, 2015
Awards & Honors
Awards & Honors
Awards & Honors
- 2022 Toll Fellow, nationally acclaimed leadership program provided from the Council of State Governments
Idea chosen into Phase 1 funding for the GSA’s 10X program – Project #11: Connecting the Vocational Rehabilitation Data Landscape - Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America 2021
- Selected by the Council of State Government as one of 30 Leaders Impacting Disability Policy during their “30 Years of the ADA”
- I Migliori Government Service Award, Pirandello Lyceum, 2019
- Community Collaborator of the Year Award, Career Collaborative, 2017
- Malden Rotary Club (2012 President); recipient of Paul Harris Fellowship award bestowed by Rotary International for “Service Above Self”
- Louis B. Connelly Award winner as Outstanding Communications and Journalism Alumni, Suffolk University