Eric Brody

Born hard of hearing and accustomed to wearing a single hearing aid, Eric has faced challenges in reconciling his identity and finding his place in society. At the age of 27, his perspective shifted when he encountered a book discussing the experiences of Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals caught between two worlds. This led him to embrace American Sign Language and forge connections within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, which offered invaluable support and insights.

Today and 29 years laters, Eric is a dedicated advocate and coach within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in Santa Barbara. He is actively involved in various organizations, including the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Community of Santa Barbara and the Independent Living Resource Center of Tri-County and his favorite is the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA.org). He encourages those experiencing hearing loss to engage with the community, recommending the annual meetings as transformative experiences.

Note: The 2024 ALDA meeting will be held in Clearwater, Florida, starting September 22, 2024.

For many years, Eric has been a prominent figure in the community, teaching sign language at the university, schools, churches, and breweries. Additionally, he offers counseling services to individuals navigating hearing loss and conducts workshops on Deaf-Hearing couple relationships. His primary focus is on fostering a deeper understanding of life with hearing loss, addressing its impacts, and empowering individuals to lead more fulfilling lives.

In his personal life, Eric is blessed with a loving family, including his wife of 28 years, Jana, and their three children, all of whom are fluent in sign language. Their eldest daughter, Riva, authored a heartfelt book titled "I WISH to be DEAF," dedicated to the deaf community and her father and Eric has written a children book that soon will be published.

Eric has degrees in Oceanography, Quantitative Economics Decision Science, History and Kinesiology and Exercise Science and professionally enjoyed a diverse career spanning over 40 years in the field of information technology. He has worked at prestigious institutions such as Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC Santa Barbara and the International Sports Sciences Association. More recently, Eric has pursued his entrepreneurial passions, founding My Buddy the Computer Guy helping others with their technological needs and SBVanLife where he assists others in building and repairing camper vans, reflecting his commitment to enhancing the lives of those around him.

With more than 35 years of expertise, he personally assists businesses and individuals through his company, MyBuddyTheComputerGuy.com. His services span networking, database management, application development, social media, CRM, marketing, video production, graphics, and security solutions. Additionally, he extends his business prowess through ADA Web Accessibility Business/Consulting Group. Recently, he's pursuing his passion with SBVanLife, specializing in camper van consulting, rental, construction, and repair. Explore more on his website link above and contact him today!