Our Founder
Keith Bonchek’s Story: Turning Challenges Into Change
Born in Los Angeles, Keith was diagnosed with mild Cerebral Palsy (CP), which was compounded with a moderate to severe hearing loss. Doctors told Keith’s mother that given the circumstances, she shouldn’t expect him to ever speak or walk, let alone drive or even graduate from high school. Instead of relenting, she became Keith’s biggest supporter and advocate, building a network that helped him prove the doctors wrong.
His mother convinced him that he was fully capable of thriving in this world — and he certainly wasn’t quiet about sharing that fact with others. Time and time again, she told him to speak up — when you crack the door of opportunity open, the next person to come along will crack it open a little more, and eventually that door is going to be wide open for everyone in your shoes to walk through. Keith took this thought with him as he molded himself into a vocal advocate for the deaf and disabled communities.
Keith stands out as a remarkable example of what can be achieved when you encounter and overcome obstacles in your life.
With a laundry list of medical conditions, including a learning disability, education did not come easy for Keith. However, in spite of his doctor’s warning, he graduated from high school, attended college and trade school, and became a licensed landscape contractor and designer. He owned and operated a landscaping business that employed dozens of people for over 17 years before falling into his role as a speaker and advocate for better accessiblity training.
As an advocate of inclusion for people with disabilities, he has served in many capacities. Keith has worked with both children and adults with disabilities as a camp counselor, an Assistant Coach for wheelchair basketball at a Santa Rosa Junior College, and as vice chairman of the California Committee for the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP).
Keith pushes himself to enjoy the fullness of life. He enjoys snow skiing, sailing, mountain biking, paddle boarding, and backpacking. Known by friends as “Cowboy Keith,” he loves country music and two-step dancing. Never a dull moment with Cowboy Keith!
More than 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability. About 11 million are deaf or hard of hearing.
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