My First NFB Washington Seminar: Advocacy, Frustration, and Hope

A Message from Penny Forward Founder and CEO, Chris Peterson

Last week, I participated in my first National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Washington Seminar, and let me tell you, it was an experience I won’t soon forget. The energy, the passion, and the sense of purpose were palpable. Hundreds of blind people from all over the country came together with one goal: to advocate for laws that, if passed, will have a huge impact on our financial independence and overall quality of life.

I was excited to be part of this movement—to sit down with lawmakers, tell them our stories, and push for change. And yet, as empowering as the experience was, it also reminded me of just how much further we have to go.

The Policies We Fought For

We spent the week meeting with representatives, senators, and their staffers, advocating for issues that shouldn’t even be up for debate. Things like:

• Fixing Social Security work incentives so that people who are blind don’t have to choose between working and keeping necessary benefits. Right now, the system is so flawed that many blind workers get penalized for earning more, discouraging them from advancing in their careers.
• Ensuring websites and software applications are accessible so that we can do our jobs, manage our finances, and engage with the world just like anyone else.
• Making home medical equipment accessible because, believe it or not, many of the health-monitoring devices people use today—like blood pressure monitors, insulin pumps, and even talking thermometers—are designed without blind people in mind.

These aren’t radical demands. They’re basic, common-sense changes that would allow us to live and work more independently.

But Did They Take Us Seriously?

This is the question that haunted me throughout the week. We came prepared. We had data, personal stories, and well-thought-out arguments. But after meeting after meeting, I found myself wondering—how many of them actually took us seriously?

Because here’s the thing: If you don’t think someone is capable of doing simple things, like traveling alone or finding a building, how can you possibly believe they’re capable of holding down a job, managing their finances, or making major life decisions?

And I saw evidence of this mindset everywhere.

At the airport, the TSA agents looked at me with disbelief when they realized I was traveling alone. “Are you by yourself?” they asked, their voices filled with concern. As if a blind person traveling solo was some kind of anomaly.

When we asked for directions, people would often insist on taking our arms and leading us, instead of just telling us where to go. It was as if the idea of a blind person independently navigating a space was too much for them to comprehend.

If society doesn’t even see us as capable of getting from point A to point B, how can we expect lawmakers to view us as competent, independent citizens worthy of equal rights and opportunities?

The Reality: We’re Already Doing It

And yet, despite this mindset, we were there. Over 500 blind people independently navigated Capitol Hill and the surrounding area, advocating for policies that could change our lives. We were proof, in real-time, that blind people can be self-sufficient, capable, and articulate.

No, I don’t expect change to happen overnight. But I do know this: If we don’t keep showing up, if we don’t keep pushing for these changes, they won’t happen at all.

Advocacy Can’t Just Happen Once a Year

The Washington Seminar is an incredible opportunity to make our voices heard on a national level. But it can’t be the only time we speak up.

Change doesn’t just happen in Washington, D.C.—it happens in our home states, in our local communities, and in our workplaces. We need to engage with our state and local lawmakers, too. We need to serve on boards, sit on planning commissions, and yes, even run for office ourselves.

There are so many ways we can get involved, and many of them even come with a paycheck. We have valuable perspectives and skills to contribute, and we deserve a seat at the table.

So, Will I Go Again?

Absolutely. I can’t pass up the chance to speak directly to the people who make the decisions that shape our lives. They work for us. It’s their job to listen to us and take us seriously. And if they don’t, we need to keep pushing until they do.

As for the people who don’t think blind people can travel alone or navigate without being led by the arm—I’m still not sure how to fix that. But I do hope that the more they see us out in the world, doing things they never imagined we could, the more they’ll start to understand.

In the meantime, I’ll keep advocating. And I hope you will, too.

Your Turn: Get Involved

If you’ve ever thought about advocating for change, now is the time. Whether it’s at the national, state, or local level, your voice matters. Think about what issues affect you the most, and take action. Join organizations like the American Council of the Blind and National Federation of the Blind, attend local meetings, or even just start conversations with people in your community.

Because if we don’t fight for change, who will?

Happy Monday,

Chris Peterson, AFC®
Founder and CEO, Penny Forward