By Nona Haroyan on behalf of the BSCB Advocacy Committee | From BayLines Express, September, 2026
The BSCB Advocacy Committee has been busy this spring and summer, and we’re excited to share some great news!
So far, four advocacy teams have met with members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation to discuss ACB’s three federal legislative imperatives. These meetings have been productive, encouraging, and, perhaps most importantly, have helped strengthen relationships with both members of Congress and their staff.
Two of our advocacy teams even had the opportunity to meet personally with their representatives, proving that a good conversation can go a long way.
- Representative Ayanna Pressley: DeAnn Elliott, Carl Richardson, and ElizabethAnn Johnson
- Representative Katherine Clark: Jerry Berrier, Shirley Dorris, and Cindy Wentz
- Representative Jim McGovern: Mary Haroyan, Sharon Strzalkowski, and Jim Murphy, who met with Congressman McGovern in person
- Representative Jake Auchincloss: Jini Fairley, Paul Saner, and Brian Switzer, who also met with Congressman Auchincloss in person
We’re especially pleased to report that Congressman McGovern has already signed on to two of ACB’s three legislative imperatives, and we’re optimistic he’ll support the third as well.
Congressman Auchincloss was very receptive to all three imperatives, and we’re hopeful he’ll lend his support after our follow-up conversations. He also shared his strong interest in autonomous vehicle legislation, an issue that holds tremendous promise for people who are blind or have low vision. It’s always encouraging to know we have another ally in Congress!
These meetings remind us that advocacy really does make a difference. Legislators appreciate hearing directly from constituents whose lives are affected by the policies they consider. And don’t worry, no one is expected to memorize every bill number or become a policy expert overnight. If you can tell your story, you can be an advocate.
The Advocacy Committee is always looking for additional members who would like to join our advocacy teams for future congressional visits. Whether you’ve advocated for years or have never attended a legislative meeting, we’d love to have you join us. We promise, the only thing more rewarding than meeting with your representative is discovering afterward that they actually listened!
Together, we’re making sure the voices of blind and low vision Massachusetts residents are being heard, one conversation at a time.
Submitted by the BSCB Advocacy Committee
Members of the BSCB Advocacy Committee meet with Congressman Jake Auchincloss to discuss ACB’s federal legislative imperatives.