About
Octavio Cuenca Maldonado is a Mexican and Honduran American who attended a predominantly hearing school as the only Deaf student.
He graduated from Gallaudet University in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology, with minors in Math, Education, and Business Administration, specializing in finance. He has collaborated with the New Jersey Department of Education’s Deaf Education services and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services on self-advocacy and career development initiatives for over 100 Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
He currently works in outreach for the 988 Videophone Suicide and Crisis Lifeline through DeafLEAD, collaborating with multiple nonprofit organizations at the state and national levels. Octavio currently serves as President of the National Hispanic Latino Association of the Deaf. He has received recognition from the organization’s founders, as well as a legislative award from the New Jersey Association of the Deaf.
He also contributed to policymaking work with the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities from 2022–2023. He is deeply committed to supporting global communities and embracing diverse cultures and perspectives.
