American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Convention Issue 2025 NOPBC CONFERENCE
I Am a Federationist Giving Back
by Zach Ledford
Introduction by Cassie McKinney: If you’ve been around the Federation very long, you’ll find that once you become a leader you get all kinds of different hats to wear. Sometimes you wear them all at once. One of my favorite hats—it probably has a cotton bow on it—is my position on the National Scholarship Committee and being able to meet students as they come into our organization. The first time I met our next speaker was the year he won a national scholarship. But I believe that his effort and his involvement in the organization go back further than that. I’m honored to introduce Zach Ledford from Utah!
Good morning, everyone! I’m honored and grateful to Cassandra and the entire NOPBC team for giving me this opportunity to share with you.
I participated in a lot of activities growing up, and it’s thanks to parents like you in this room. My parents are amazing, and I appreciate all the support they continue to give to me and my three younger brothers. Three of the four of us are blind or have low vision. I’m very grateful for the way my parents have advocated for us! Maybe some of my message will inspire you to do the same for your children.
About fifteen years ago I was in the position of a lot of your kids today. I was ten years old, and I was very excited to be at my first NFB convention. At the same time, I was a little scared to see so many people with canes and dogs. I kept hiding behind my mom! I asked my mom to go to the pool with me, to listen to the fireworks with me on the Fourth of July.
Currently I serve as a member of the board of the National Association of Blind Students (NABS). I’m president of the Utah Association of Blind Students and a board member in our Salt Lake Chapter. I wear a lot of hats, as Cassandra mentioned. I’m grateful to be a member of the National Federation of the Blind!
When I was growing up, my parents were eager for me to participate in a number of activities. I was involved in sports and after-school activities and activities within the Federation. I’ve participated in Federation activities for most of my life, from Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning [NFB BELL® Academy] to Junior Science Academy and on to Project STRIVE. All of these activities helped me become independent and develop skills as a blind student and blind leader.
My father grew up with little to no vision. He didn’t receive any services such as Braille instruction or mobility training until much later in life. He shared those experiences with my mother, who is fully sighted. They enrolled me for early services from the Utah School for the Blind. When I entered public school in first grade, they sought out a teacher of blind students and an orientation and mobility instructor. I remember my dad sharing about our blindness before I hit a baseball with my teammates. I remember hearing my mom share how I could be successful with low vision while I colored addition problems with my first-grade teacher. Experiences like those helped me understand the importance of advocacy.
By the time I was getting ready to attend middle school in sixth grade, I had been learning Braille and cane travel from an early age. At that point my parents decided I should start to attend my Individualized Education Plan [IEP] meetings. During the meeting in sixth grade, I heard my Braille instructor announce that I really didn’t need to learn Braille because I “had too much vision.” My parents fought for Braille, because no one knew whether I might lose all of my vision in the future. They fought because of the difficulties my father had growing up without Braille.
The struggle over my Braille instruction almost led my parents to take my case to court! It was all pretty upsetting while it was going on, but ultimately it helped me recognize the strength of our community.
My parents grew into the NFB because my dad eventually received services and went to a training center. His experience helped my parents build a successful life for me and for my siblings. Throughout our childhood my mom was a strong advocate, not only for us but for other blind children in the state of Utah. She even served for a time as president of the Utah Parents of Blind Children.
The National Federation of the Blind gave my parents a community, and the Federation continues to help support my family in many ways. I hope I can give back by sharing my story with others, supporting them, answering questions, and breaking down the barriers that keep us from success as blind individuals.
I want to thank each of you for being here. Your dedication goes a long way! Even though your kids might not remember this convention in ten years, they will be aware of your dedication to ensure their success. Thank you for lending a hand, for supporting your children and your friends’ children. We need that ongoing teamwork in order to accomplish great things.