Gene I. Brooks of Austin is a Lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin and rehabilitation consultant for Independence Projects. He is a member of the Texas Association of School Boards and School Administrators, and a volunteer with the ARC of Texas. Brooks also serves as a board member for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired as well as Disability Rights of Texas. Brooks received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master's degree in sociology from Texas A&M University Kingsville and a doctorate degree in special education from the University of Texas at Austin.