NABS Notes - March 2026
“Everday is an opportunity disguised as a challenge.”- Tiki Barber.
NABS Notes is back and better than ever! Welcome to the newest and reenergized newsletter of the National Association of Blind Students. Going forward, NABS Notes will be published monthly filled with opportunities, updates, resources, and stories that reflect the strength and ambition of blind students across the country.
In this edition you will find:
- A message from Zachary Ledford, Second Vice President of the National Association of Blind Students
- Committee Updates
- Midwest Seminar preview
- Resource of the month: NFB National Scholarship
A Message from Zachary Ledford, Second Vice President of the National Association of Blind Students
Dear NABS family,
Spring is almost here, a season of growth, renewal, and new beginnings. Just as the world around us begins to bloom, so do the opportunities waiting for each of us. With the great work of the NABS Auction and Washington Seminar successfully completed, we now look to boldly step toward what’s next — the NABS Midwest Seminar, National Convention, and scholarships are all on the horizon.
For students, spring is a launchpad!
Internship deadlines are approaching. Leadership transitions are underway. Scholarship applications are being submitted. Summer programs and professional development opportunities are within reach.
Sometimes it looks like applying for something you’re not sure you’re “qualified” for. Sometimes it looks like introducing yourself to a professional you admire. Sometimes it looks like stepping into leadership before you feel fully ready.
As members of NABS, we are part of a movement that believes in high expectations and limitless potential. Our blindness does not define the boundaries of our ambition. Instead, it strengthens our problem-solving, resilience, and leadership. Your future is shaped by the actions you take today.
And remember you are not doing this alone. We are a community that shares resources, celebrates wins, and lifts one another higher. When one of us succeeds, we all move forward. We are not waiting for an opportunity, we are creating it.
With momentum,
Zachary Ledford
Second Vice President, National Association of Blind Students
Committee Updates!
Membership Committee
Welcome to the March edition of our NABS Notes! As we step into a season of renewal and momentum, we're excited to bring you another edition filled with the latest updates. Whether you're embracing new beginnings, gearing up for exciting challenges, or simply enjoying the transition into spring, we hope this month fuels your passion and drive. March is a time of growth, perseverance, and fresh opportunities—let’s make the most of it together!
We’re eager to share what’s been happening within our student movement, and there’s so much more ahead. If you have any questions as you read through, don’t hesitate to reach out to the respective committee chair or anyone from NABS leadership—we’re always here to connect with you.
Advocacy Committee
Hope everyone is staying warm wherever you are reading this from and happy almost spring from the advocacy committee. We held our monthly advocacy call on 2/15 where we had multiple panels discussing scholarship and internship applications. It is that season where we are all starting to think about our next summer job or how we are going to pay for college in the fall. Alumni of the NFB scholarship program discussed their experiences applying and going to national conventions as well. We were excited to have 22 people in attendance and thank you to the Interpersonal task force for planning this. March’s topic and date will be announced soon and we hope you will join us on a Sunday at 8 PM to hear from our new Government Legal task force. Congratulations to Nancy who is the new chair for this task force and Bella who is our new Interpersonal chair. We can’t wait for a great second semester ahead.
Fundraising Committee
The fundraising / auction committee would like to thank every single one of our donors who contributed to the success of our 2026 NABS auction at the Washington seminar! Thanks to their generous contributions as well as the generosity of our bidders, we successfully raised over 5,500! We are excited to continue the fundraising efforts this semester. Please reach out to the fundraising committee chair, Soso, if you would like to assist with any future fundraisers/ events.
Content Creation Committee
As we spring into a brand new NABS semester, the Content Committee is *so* excited for everything we have in store — and we hope you are too!
You may have noticed we’re ramping up production of NABS Notes, and we’re committed to bringing you all the most exciting updates, calls, seminars, and events each month.
We seriously appreciate everyone who keeps up with our socials and helps amplify upcoming programs. Your support does not go unnoticed!
We’re especially thrilled that so many of you are loving our Windy City Wednesdays series on Instagram and TikTok. And get ready … The Midwest is just 9 days away! We cannot wait to see you there!
Also coming soon: an exciting new podcast episode all about blind parenting later this month. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it.
The Content Committee is continuing to grow, and over the next several months, we’re expanding our production across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and the podcast space.
If producing, editing, designing, or creating content sounds even a little bit interesting to you, we would LOVE to have you involved. Reach out anytime at noorkhraisat06@gmail.comnoorkhraisat06@gmail.com) and let’s make something amazing together.
Stay connected with us:
Midwest Seminar Preview!
The Midwest Regional Student Seminar brings together motivated blind students from across the Midwest for focused training, meaningful networking, and practical skill development. This is your opportunity to move from potential to performance.
Take advantage of professional headshots, mock interviews, and résumé workshops that will help you compete with confidence. Learn how to present yourself as an invaluable asset to employers and strengthen the professional skills that open doors to internships and careers.
You’ll also hear from respected Federation leaders, hiring and recruitment professionals, educators, Paralympians, and of course, from our very own NABS members who are leading the way.
Join us March 13–15 at the Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare for a weekend that will prepare you to step boldly into your future.
Resource of the month: NFB National Scholarship
The National Scholarship program is one of the Federations’ most prestigious honors. This is a great opportunity for those who not only excel academically, but have a spirit of leadership and service. This scholarship is an investment of the NFB in search of future leaders of the movement. Apply by March 31 at Midnight Eastern.
Why apply?
Here are three big reasons:
Mentorship: Win a National Scholarship, and you’ll be paired with experienced Federation leaders. Learn from their experiences, get advice on careers, and dive deep into NFB philosophy. These mentors are passionate about helping you succeed.
Leadership: Winning a scholarship signals the Federation believes in your potential. This is your chance to discover what kind of leader you are; whether in your community or in the organization.
Connections: You’ll join a class of 30 brilliant students from across the Federation. Build friendships, network for future careers, and who knows, you might even meet a special someone and live the lives you want together as the next power couple of the Federation.
This scholarship is more than money, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for growth, networking, and a chance to tell your story in a way you never knew was possible. So what are you waiting for? Apply today and open the door of opportunity and turn possibility into reality!