Blind USU student fights to make USU better for all

For the past five years, 28-year-old Chad Floyd, a student at Utah State University, has been a regular at Swing Dancing Wednesdays at Cache Valley Fun Park.

But among those packed into the dance hall, Floyd is unique: He has been legally blind since he was four.

For more than 20 years, Floyd has been adapting to his disability in everything he does — from swing dancing to his involvement at USU. Even though his life may be difficult at times, he said, he has never let his visual impairment discourage him.

Chris Axtell started swing dancing with Floyd after volunteering as an assistant through a program facilitated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Floyd’s challenges aren’t limited to his blindness, Axtell said.

“He has replaced his liver, removed his gall bladder and has lots of health problems—plus he is blind, but that doesn’t stop him,” Axtell said. “He does things just like people with sight. It's incredible.”

When people first see that he is blind, Floyd said, they are often skeptical about his abilities.

"I just go out there and dance with them and have fun,” Floyd said. “Not to brag, but most of them tell me I’m really good.”

USU student Grey Homack supports that claim.

“And I have to admit he is quite the ladies’ man too,” Homack said.

Regardless of whether Floyd is on or off the dance floor, he said he has become comfortable with his disability.

According to Floyd, he is hoping to make USU a place where disabled people can engage in programs and activities with a higher level of independence and also become comfortable with their disabilities.

Mary Whyte, arts senator at USU, has known Floyd since April of last year when he joined the Arts Council. According to Whyte, Floyd is working on making a more broad range of art programs more disability friendly. Right now it is just in the approval stage.

Floyd’s proposed project is aimed to make performances in the theater and concert hall more applicable to the hearing and visually impaired, as well as improvements in the art museum.

“I feel that we can do a better job at making those with disabilities more comfortable attending programs done by the arts,” Floyd said.