About Dylan

Dylan's First Birthday Cake. He's greeted by his Dad and Brother, Ryan.

Early Life:

Dylan was born on August 24th, 1990 — just a month after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed and signed into law. He self-identifies as being deaf (right-ear), hard of hearing (left-ear) with hearing aid, and with spinal back and neck fusions. He has one older brother and two multi-cultural parents.

A collage of memorable images that took place throughout the year in 2019 with Dylan's colleagues.

Currently:

Dylan Rafaty is a disability inclusion advocate, published author, public speaker, social entrepreneur, and nonprofit executive. Dylan has received his A.A. at Collin College, a B.S. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the University of Phoenix, and an M.A. in dispute resolution at Southern Methodist University. Currently, Dylan is attending the University of Southern California for the Organizational Change & Leadership (OCL) doctoral program.

Dylan is the Founder & Chief Navigator at DylanListed, LLC and he is the Founder, President & CEO of the North Texas Disability Chamber; a Texas 501(c)3, membership-based, community nonprofit organization. It is the 5th disability-focused Chamber of its kind in the US and 4th in Texas.

Dylan is a proud graduate of Plano's Citizens Academy, Plano's Citizens Fire Academy, the Ruderman Family Foundation's LINK20 National Leadership program, Plano Chamber's Leadership Plano (Class 38), Communities Foundation of Texas Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy (4th Cohort), North Texas Commission's Leadership North Texas (Class 14) programs, and recently attained his Certified Diversity Professional certification from the National Diversity Council.

Dylan, Richard and TWC Commissioner Alvarez III pose for a picture in El Paso.

Executive Board Roles:

Founder, North Texas Disability Chamber
Board Member, Dallas Regional Chamber
Ex-Officio Member, North Texas Commission
Former Founding Member, Technical Advisory Panel, Commission on Disabilities, City of Dallas
Former Founding Advisory Board Member, MENTOR Texas
Former Director, Board of Directors, Disability Rights Texas (DRTx)
Former Member, Plano ISD Career & Technical Education (CTE) Committee
Former Member, Advocacy Committee, Big Thought
Former Board Member, Sandlot Children’s Charity
Former Director, Board of Directors, United States International Council on Disabilities
Former Member, Executive Committee, Young Professionals of Plano
Former Board Member, Board of Adjustment, City of Plano
Former Vice-Chair, Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities (TX-GCPD)
Former Commissioner, Building Standards Commission, City of Plano
Former Member, Richardson Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Diversity & Inclusion
Former Vice President of Programs, Plano ISD Council of PTAs
Former Advisory Council Member, Angel City Sports (ACS)
Former Advisory Board Member, Creating A Safer Tomorrow (C.A.S.T.)
Former Member, Plano ISD School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
Former Dallas Ambassador, Abilities Expo
Former Member, Events Committee, Simmons Graduate Council
Former Chairman, Social Responsibility Committee, International Association of Ice Cream Distributors and Vendors (IAICDV)
Former Founding Board Member, Disability Chamber of Commerce – Rio Grande Valley (DCC-RGV)
Former Advisory Board Member, Care and Mercy Foundation
Former Member, Through The Clouds Family Care Advisory Committee
Former Member, Plano ISD Special Education Advisory Committee
Former Commissioner, Community Relations Commission, City of Plano
Former Member, Education Committee, World Para-Taekwondo

Dylan serves as an Investor Panelist at the Board Room in Flower Mound, TX.

Executive Mentorship & Guidance:

At-Risk/HS Youth & Young Entrepreneurs: Dylan has volunteered for several organizations as a guest speaker and continues to provide mentorship by helping them focus on business, STEM, STEAM, CTE, and Social Entrepreneurship.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging & Accessibility (DEIBA): Dylan continues to stay actively involved with Disability:IN, North Texas Industry Liaison Group, Plano Chamber of Commerce, and the Disability Chamber of Commerce for the Rio Grande Valley promoting Disability Inclusion, Veterans, Women, Cultural/Racial Diversity, and LGBTQ+.
Executive Leadership: Executive and professional consulting to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, executives of businesses, academic, and government agencies.
Persons with Disabilities & Disabled Veterans: Primarily focused on transitional support, motivational mentorship, and guidance.
Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP): Dylan has made several trips to prison as one of the youngest professional participants to mentor young and older adults who are seeking a second chance at life.

Dylan joining children and other dignitaries for the ribbon cutting of Plano's Inclusive playground.

Personal Achievements:

Mentoring 50+ individuals with disabilities including disabled veterans.
Occupy Special Education – Children Should Be Seen and Heard, published in Spring 2012
Front Cover/Article Feature on Apostrophe Magazine, Spring 2013
First Dallas Mavericks Honorary Mavs ManiAACs, January 2017
Successfully co-hosted the Governor’s Committee meetings and our annual Lex Frieden Employment Awards in partnership with the City of Plano in October 2018.
Ran for Plano ISD School Board, Place 7, Spring 2019 Municipal Election
Ribbon cutting for City of Plano/Liberty Mutual All-Abilities Windhaven Meadows Inclusive Playground, September 2019

Dylan posing with members of the Plano City Council and Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere

Awards & Recognition:

Certificate of Appreciation, United States Department of Agriculture (Fort Worth), April 2016
“Changing the World” Award, Top Achievers Foundation, June 2017
“Appreciation and Dedication” Award, Camp Craig Allen, October 2017
Honorary Superstar, Night of Superstars Dallas-Fort Worth, October 2017
“Appreciation for your support for People with Disabilities" Award, Community of Permanent Supported Housing, September 2018
National Disability Mentoring Coalition, Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Inductee, January 2020
Southern Methodist University, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Director's Diversity Award for Excellence & Inclusion, September 2020
Oticon USA, Focus On People, Advocacy Award Winner, January 2021
Dallas Business Journal, Leaders in Diversity Awards, Champion for People with Disabilities Honoree, March 2021
Plano Chamber of Commerce, Best of Plano, Rising Star Award, December 2021
Tech Titans, Community Hero Award Finalist, October 2022
North Texas Commission, North Texas Diversity Champion Award, September 2023
D CEO, 2025 Dallas 500: Named One of the Most Powerful Business Leaders in North Texas, November 2024

Dylan interviewed by Fox 4 News DFW in Fort Worth, TX discussing disability rights.

Featured On:

The Voice of Job Seekers, DylanListed, The Go-To Job Site for the Differently Abled, Fall 2015
Think Inclusive, Inclusion Spotlight: Dylan Rafaty/DylanListed, October 2015
Dallas Innovates, DylanListed Seeks to Help the Disabled to Find Jobs, March 2016
Business RadioX, Dylan Rafaty with DylanListed, April 2016
The Jason Croft Show, How Determination Creates Change, July 2017
Pathways to Success Podcast, Making Impact through Social Entrepreneurship, January 2018
Plano Podcast, Episode 35, Voices: Dylan Rafaty, October 2018
Strength Thru Vulnerability Podcast, Episode 32, Paving the way..feat. Dylan Rafaty, August 2020
Let's Have This Conversation, The Advancement of Accessibility with Dylan Rafaty, September 2020
Shakti-Collective, Accessibility Leadership, September 2020
Plano Pulse, Meet Dylan Rafaty, December 2021
Rock and Rich Show, The Remarkable Story of Disabilities Rights Activist, August 2022

Dylan M. Rafaty