These papers are focused on the period of Dr. Davila's life between service in President George H. W. Bush's Department of Education and his becoming president of Gallaudet University. The collection is particularly strong in the earlier part of this period, documenting Dr. Davila's nomination to the Department of Education and his work there. It also includes some material on his becoming CEO of the National Technical Institute of the Deaf and headmaster of the New York School for the Deaf.

There is an extensive series of Dr. Davila's speeches during this period, including some programs, correspondence, and other supporting material. This includes the text of his 1992 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Also included is a collection of clippings on Dr. Davila's activities, including material from deaf and Latino publications as well as mainstream sources.

Of possible interest is some material from Dr. Davila's unsuccessful 1988 nomination for the Gallaudet presidency, one of the events that touched off the Deaf President Now protest.