By Matthias Niska

(Editor’s Note: The Washington seminar is an annual event of the National Federation of the Blind, held in early February, to introduce the priority issues requiring congressional attention over the coming year. The issues are selected from official positions of the Federation and may address concerns in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income program, relevant civil rights issues, educational programs and services, rehabilitation of the blind for competitive employment, the operation of vending facilities by blind persons on public property, specialized library services for the blind, the organization and funding of federal programs, and other timely topics. Approximately three legislative initiatives are chosen for priority attention each year. Five hundred people attend from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, most of whom are blind. Matthias was one of the 14 Minnesotans to attend this year.)

I am grateful to the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota for providing the financial assistance to send me, along with two of my fellow students from Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND), to the 2009 Washington Seminar. The trip was enjoyable and educational for me on several levels.

First, this Seminar was my first exposure to such a large cross-section of the blind population. I met blind people of all ages, ethnicities, education levels, and occupational backgrounds, from all different parts of the country. Even more interesting than the wide variety of backgrounds I encountered, however, was the range of travel abilities and overall blindness skills of the attendees. I witnessed a person standing at the edge of a crowded room and yelling out for someone to come and lead them around, a person with absolutely no vision moving about with complete grace and confidence, and everything in between. I had always assumed that the vast majority of NFB members have undergone comprehensive blindness skills training similar to what I am currently undertaking at BLIND, Inc. Now that I know that such training is relatively rare, I am even more grateful for the opportunity to study here.

Secondly, I had the chance to see several of the notable sights of our nation’s capitol, and to bask in the history and grandeur of this wonderful city. One afternoon, I set off on my own and walked westward along the Mall, taking in the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. On a different day, I had the opportunity to take guided tours of the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol building. Walking around the political and historical hub of our nation, and seeing where our laws are made and shaped, inspired a profound sense of pride and awe in me. I now understood what I’d always been told about Washington D.C., how a person can feel the power and dignity of that place simply by being there.

Last but certainly not least, this trip gave me new insight into blindness-related policy issues and the process by which blind people can advocate for themselves and effect progress in the political arena. I have always been interested in politics, but not really from the viewpoint of making positive changes in the lives of blind people. Witnessing and being part of the process of articulating the NFB’s position on issues such as silent cars, Social Security reform, and a Technology Bill of Rights to lawmakers and legislative aides definitely sharpened my interest in this area of law and public policy. Wherever my career path takes me, I will always maintain an interest in these types of issues, and I hope the same can be said for many of my fellow 2009 Washington Seminar attendees.