My Journey Through Mentorship and Leadership
Authors: Madison Flores, TSBVI Alumna and Vice President of the Austin Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas
During my second year in TSBVI’s Exit Program, I joined the NFB Career Mentoring Program as a mentee. For the first time, I was surrounded by blind role models who were living independently and confidently. Through outings and regular conversations with my mentor, Lara, I began to see new possibilities for my future.
At the time, I planned to attend the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center because I didn’t feel ready to live on my own and wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take in life. My mentor introduced me to the training centers affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and encouraged me to research them. Although I was initially hesitant about leaving Texas, everything changed after attending my first NFB National Convention in New Orleans.
At convention, I witnessed hundreds of blind individuals navigating a large hotel independently and confidently. I heard powerful success stories about structured discovery training and high expectations. That experience completely shifted my mindset.
Shortly after returning home, I made the decision to attend the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB)—a decision that transformed my life. During my time there, I pushed beyond what I believed were my limits. I crossed complex intersections and train tracks, cooked meals for 40 people, learned to use power tools, and gained the confidence to navigate the world independently.
Since completing training, I have remained actively involved in the mentoring program and the broader NFB community by attending Washington Seminar, state conventions, and mentoring events. After graduating from LCB, I moved to Austin and joined the Austin Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas.
I have served on the Austin Chapter board since 2024—first as a board member, then as Secretary, and currently as First Vice President. In these roles, I help plan community service initiatives, fundraising efforts, and social events that strengthen our local blind community.
I also serve as Secretary of the Texas Association of Blind Students and continue to support mentoring events at TSBVI. I assist with student outings, walk with students to and from restaurants while engaging in meaningful conversations, and support outdoor camping activities through the Blindness Outdoor Learning and Development Extended Reach (BOLDER) program. Through these experiences, I strive to model confidence, independence, and high expectations for blind students.
Mentorship changed the trajectory of my life, and I am committed to paying that forward by supporting the next generation of blind leaders.
Note on NFB National Convention!
The next NFB National Convention is in Austin, Friday, July 3–Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Find registration information on the NFB website.
Madison in Ruston, Louisiana. Proud graduate of the Louisiana Center for the Blind