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Richard Allen Simms Biography
Richard Allen Simms is the Executive Director of the District of Columbia Center for Independent Living, Inc. He has served in this capacity since December 18, 2000. Mr. Simms is a native of Elkins, West Virginia where he attended public schools. His is the fifth child in a family of eight. Prior to assuming the leadership role at the Center, Mr. Simms was a Management Consultant and Special Education consultant from 1997-2000. His clients included both public and private entities such as Calvert County Public Schools, St. Mary’s County Public Schools, Charles County Public Schools, Howard County Public Schools, The Greater Washington Urban League, Howard University’s Office of Disability Affairs, Maryland’s Division of Rehabilitation Services, Games and Graphics, Inc., IHOP Corporate and others. In addition, Mr. Simms was in private industry management and ownership for ten years.
Mr. Simms received a Bachelor of Arts from Davis and Elkins College, a Master of Arts from California State University at Los Angeles and a Master of Public Administration from New York University.
Mr. Simms began professional his career in 1970 at the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind in Washington DC as a mobility aid and up until 1975 worked as a mobility instructor and as the Director of Rehab Services. After graduate school, he worked at The Stockton Community Center for the Blind as a Community Mobility Specialist until 1977 at which time he accepted a position at the New York Association for the Blind as Supervisor of the O&M Department. He remained at the Lighthouse until 1985 serving as Supervisor of Instructional Services and Director of Rehabilitation. He moved downtown to the American Foundation for the Blind to become Director of the Northeast Region serving New England, New York and New Jersey. From 1989-1997 he worked in the restaurant business as regional manager and as an owner/operator.
Mr. Simms’ affiliations over the past decade include:
1. Treasurer of the National Board of Directors for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
2. American Society for Public Administrators (ASPA);:
3. Council of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA)
4. NYU Alumni Association;
5. Cal State University @ L.A. Alumni Association;
6. D.C. State Rehabilitation Council,
7. DC RSA Medical Advisory Committee,
8. DC State Independent Living Council,
9. DC Building Codes and Advisory Committee,
10. Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities
11. Past President of the DC/MD Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER).
Mr. Simms is also serves as church treasurer and member of the Board of Trustees of Fellowship Baptist Church and a member of The United States Tennis Association. His hobbies include reading non-fiction, playing tennis and studying chess. Mr. Simms resides in Silver Spring, Maryland with his wife, Priscilla, teenage daughter, Zann and their dogs.
Mr. Simms firmly believes that no one should be denied opportunity; everyone should have the opportunity to either fail or succeed.