A native of Massachusetts, Chaz Davis lost his vision in 2014 as a result of a genetic condition known as Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Shortly after graduating college, Chaz completed the Independence Training Program at the Colorado Center for the Blind [CCB]. After losing his vision, Chaz found purpose in life again after working with a social worker and rehabilitation counselor. Motivated by this pivotal encounter, Chaz studied and obtained his master’s in social work from the University of Denver in 2019, subsequently working for 3 ½ years as an adjustment to vision loss mental health counselor for older blind adults in Massachusetts.
In the spring of 2022, Chaz came back to CCB, and is now Director of Youth Programs. Chaz enjoys witnessing blind youth find their own confidence and success as they experience new and challenging activities, both in our year-round FAST programming and our No Limits to Learning program in the summer. Chaz ensures that the same philosophy about blindness that he credits for his own positive philosophy is infused into every activity for youth he develops and oversees. Chaz embraces an idea from one of his friends, Randy Pierce, “going blind can be hard, but being blind doesn’t have to be”.
Chaz is a U.S. Paralympian and American record holder in the sport of track and field, competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil. Chaz views running as a powerful social, emotional outlet and is passionate about improving accessibility in the world of endurance sport.
