Sanderson was born on February 20, 1920, in Las Vegas Nevada. In 1931, he lost his hearing at age 11. He subsequently attended the Utah School for the Deaf and graduated in 1936. In 1936, he was admitted to Gallaudet College where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in 1941. He was employed as a chemist for the U.S. Bureau of Mines from 1941-1947. In 1947, he became a drycleaner then in 1948, he worked as an assistant county recorder until 1956. From 1956-1958, he worked as a proofreader then in 1958, returned to work as an assistant county recorder until 1966. During this time, from 1960-1962, he served as the secretary of the Utah Association of the Deaf and then as president from 1962-1964. In 1964, he was elected President of the National Association of the Deaf, where he served until 1968. In 1965, he earned a M.A. degree from the San Fernando State Valley College. In 1966, he became coordinator of the Service to the Deaf, Utah State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.