Kennedy, Kent

Born deaf and raised in Texas; attended first an oral school for the deaf, them mainstreamed until age 14, finally entering the Texas School for the Deaf at age 14 and graduating there. Worked a variety of jobs before entering the National Technical Insstitute for the Deaf 1980-1983, but left without graduating. Worked as an independent living skills instructor in Rochester, NY; married Connie Sefcik in 1984. Worked several positions in Austin Texas before working for the Postal Service 1986-1999. Taught ASL at Austin Sign Language School 1990-2005 and communication skills at Texas School for the Deaf 1997-2005. Returned to college at Austin Community College in 2002, transferring to Texas State University in 2004. Put college on hold again 2004 to become program manager, then director at Comminication Service for the Deaf offices in San Antonio and then Austin. President of the National Association of the Deaf 2002-2003, resigning halfway through his term to focus on family and personal needs.