NorCal SCI Takes Part in Roll On Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Arash Bayatmakou, Matt Kumin and Angelo Maus outside Capitol Hill

United Spinal recently hosted its 10th annual Roll on Capitol Hill (ROCH), where people with SCIs from all over the country came together to advance key advocacy priorities with federal legislators.

NorCal SCI Executive Director Arash Bayatmakou traveled to Washington to represent the California SCI community and to meet with Congress members and Senators to ensure that the rights and needs of people with SCIs and disabilities are recognized and prioritized. 

In addition to Arash, the California delegation consisted of Jennifer Kumiyama (Citywide Accessibility Coordinator for the city of Long Beach and recipient of the 2023 United Spinal Advocate of the Year award), Angelo Maus (representing the Triumph Foundation), Drew McPherson (co-founder, Ability Hacks in Berkeley) and Matt Kumin (Director & GM, Alexa for Everyone at Amazon). 

Front Row from Left: Arash, Angelo, Drew and Jennifer, Back Row 2nd Left Matt pictured with Dianne Feinstein’s Staff.

The team had a productive and busy day meeting with the staff and advisors from the following California legislators:

• Representative Nanette Barragan - 44th District

• Representative Maxine Waters - 43rd District

• Representative Mark DeSaulnier - 10th District

• Senator Alex Padilla 

• Senator Diane Feinstein

"I really enjoyed meeting so many organizations and people with SCIs from all over the country who share NorCal SCI's commitment to helping our community," said Arash. "I hope to build on the momentum from our collective time in D.C. It was also fun to zip around the various buildings, offices, and underground tunnels of Congress and the Senate and to have fruitful conversations with our California representatives." 

If you're interested to learn about the 2023 key policy initiatives from ROCH, you can read more here.