David Rice
Branch Director, Special Emphasis Programs
David Rice is a dedicated professional at the forefront of equity, diversity, and inclusion. During his dynamic career at the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), David evolved from serving as the Principal Strategist for People with Disabilities during his initial four years at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to his current role as the Branch Director for the Special Emphasis Portfolio branch within EDI.
Having navigated life as a Deaf individual since the age of 4, David possesses a profound commitment to the disability community. His advocacy journey began in high school where he dedicated his summers to working at camps for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. While in college, David was instrumental in the establishment of the first American Sign Language (ASL) program, fostering an inclusive living environment where both hearing and Deaf students shared a common goal of learning ASL. His active involvement in outreach efforts for individuals with disabilities at the Catholic University Disability Center further solidified his dedication to fostering inclusivity.
From 2014 to 2018, David assumed the role of President of DIG (Deaf in Government), championing the empowerment of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing federal employees. Under his leadership, DIG successfully addressed communication barriers, resolved accessibility issues, and promoted a fully inclusive work environment through networking and professional growth opportunities.
Passionate about dismantling cultural stigmas associated with disabilities, David's impactful contributions include leading efforts to revise the NIH mission statement, fostering cultural change, initiating a workforce complaint program, developing a career development training program, and creating networking and mentoring initiatives. He also spearheads the Deaf NIH Employee Resource Group, which provides vital support for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals at NIH. Additionally, David is at the forefront of an accessibility project aimed at transforming NIH into a fully inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.
David is a 2009 graduate of the Catholic University of America with a bachelor’s degree in psychology specializing in the social stigmas surrounding intellectual disabilities. Beyond his professional pursuits, David finds joy in golf and is an avid enthusiast of all things Pittsburgh. His multifaceted commitment to advocacy, leadership, and cultural change reflects a profound dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible world.