Advocacy and Awareness on Capitol Hill

By Wendy Waldman, BSW, CBIST

Nearly 400 members of the brain injury community came together in Washington, D.C. for the National Brain Injury Conference and Awareness Day earlier this month.

Brain Injury Awareness Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about brain injuries and advocating for those affected. For decades, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has used Brain Injury Awareness Day as an opportunity to advocate for policies, legislation, and funding that would improve the quality of life of people living with brain injury. This year, BIAA expanded this initiative by combining the day of advocacy at the Capitol with a national conference.

The 2025 National Brain Injury Conference and Awareness Day event was a powerful gathering that brought together survivors, caregivers, advocates, and policymakers to advance awareness, promote research, and advocate for meaningful policy changes. This year’s events provided an impactful platform for education, advocacy, and community engagement, with the largest presence on Capitol Hill to date, with the delegation representing 43 states and attending 284 total meetings with senators and congresspeople.

Highlights from Brain Injury Awareness Day 2025

The National Brain Injury Conference featured a series of informative sessions, advocacy meetings, and networking opportunities designed to amplify the voices of those affected by brain injuries. At this conference, members of the brain injury community from across the country gathered together to meet and share, with survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, and advocates connecting to exchange resources and experiences.

A keynote address from BIAA Board members Dr. John Corrigan and Dr. Michael Jaffe featured insights on the latest research, treatment advancements, and rehabilitation strategies for brain injury survivors, as well as the need for brain injury to be recognized as a chronic health condition rather than a one-time event. Both speakers addressed the need to manage brain injury over the course of a person’s lifetime.

The conference also featured advocacy training sessions to help attendees effectively communicate their experiences and needs to legislators. David Harrington led a panel of survivors and caregivers who shared their own personal stories about brain injury before attendees had an opportunity to practice sharing their own stories and work on their key messages ahead of their meetings with legislators.

There was also a session that provided legislative updates, including the need to reauthorize the Traumatic Brain Injury Act and increase funding for brain injury programs, providing attendees with critical policy insights. Attendees were provided guidance in the “asks” for brain injury this year and the key talking points in meetings with senators and representatives.

On Capitol Hill, policymakers engaged with experts and survivors during a Congressional Brain Injury Task Force briefing to discuss pressing issues in brain injury funding, treatment, management, and prevention. From there, advocates met with members of Congress to push for maintaining and increasing funding for brain injury programs and expanded access to rehabilitation services.

Brain Injury Awareness Day 2025 was a resounding success, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by brain injury survivors while fostering a sense of unity and determination within the community. With collective action and ongoing advocacy, we can continue to drive meaningful change, ensuring that individuals affected by brain injuries receive the care, support, and recognition they deserve.

The momentum from this year’s Brain Injury Awareness events will carry forward through continued advocacy efforts, community events, and educational initiatives. The BIAA encourages everyone to remain engaged by:

• Educating themselves and others about brain injuries
• Supporting legislative efforts to improve care and access to services
• Participating in awareness events and fundraising activities
• Volunteering or donating to support brain injury programs and research

Wendy Waldman, BSW, CBIST, is a member of the ACBIS Marketing Committee, a NeuroResource Facilitator with the Indiana NeuroResource Facilitation Program, and president of the Brain Injury Association of Indiana.