(Editors' note: Edward is Connecticut's Legislative Committee chairperson. This is what Edward had to tell us about the 2014 Washington Seminar.)
After checking in the hotel for the 2014 Washington Seminar, I decided to get a bite to eat in the hotel bar downstairs. I sat with a group of eager Federationists. After listening to them discuss various topics of the seminar, I asked if there were any first-timers. There was only one at the table, and I was surprised to find that the average Federationist had been to the Washington Seminar several times.
Since most of the Gathering In Day is not scheduled, I decided to take the tour of the National Center in Baltimore the next morning. I had taken the tour last year, the first year I attended the seminar, and was very impressed. Also during that first day, while I was on the tour, there were seminars at the hotel pertaining to the issues being presented at this Washington Seminar.
Along with a bus full of other Federationists, I arrived the next morning at the National Center in Baltimore. Our tour was led by Patricia Maurer who spoke about the 20 million dollar renovation to the building and the beautiful marble entrance way. Knowing the value and beauty of marble, I was impressed by Mrs. Maurer's description. The tour took us around the building, and various members of the staff spoke on the history of the National Federation of the Blind. After the tour, we headed back to the hotel.
I was lucky enough to get a seat in the conference room for the 5:00 p.m. Great Gathering In. The gathering in consisted of various Federation representatives from the national office who spoke on the topics we were to present to our elected officials in the next days. Each year NFB chooses issues for Federationists to present to Congress. Federationist leaders presented the issues in detail to us. This year's issues were: Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities, HR831; Technology, Education and Accessibility in College and Higher Education (TEACH); and The Air Carrier Technology Accessibility Act (ACTA). The Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities and TEACH are issues we worked on last year and will continue to work on this year. I was inspired by the excitement of the attendees and how passionate everyone was regarding the three issues. (You can find up-to-date information regarding the issues on the NFB.org website.)
The following day we ascended on Capital Hill to meet with our representatives. It was then that I realized how my voice can really make a difference. I always saw myself as a passive spectator to government; however, this changed when I met with my senators and representatives. It's hard to describe the transition from passive to active, but it was a memorable experience that changed how I viewed my responsibility as an American. Everyone I met with on Capital Hill seemed interested in our issues. I paid careful attention to the questions they asked. The questions were well thought out and showed the high level of engagement between our elected officials and NFB.
That evening we had our second gathering in. We discussed the day's activities and whether our elected officials were receptive to our issues. This time also was used to compare notes with fellow-Federationists from other states. If questions came up during meetings on the Hill, they would be shared with everyone at the gathering in, so no one else would be caught off guard.
Not having met with every one of our representatives on our first day of meetings, another day of meetings followed. When we finished on Wednesday, most of the Connecticut delegation left for home. I was fortunate to be able to stay until Thursday, and I was able to attend the final gathering in meeting and reflect on our successful meetings with our national representatives.