November 12, 2025
Capital Roll - U2FP's Annual Symposium
Jason Stoffer
This February, we are adding a third day to our Annual Science & Advocacy Symposium in order to launch our national legislative campaign to restore and expand SCI research funding.
We’ve dubbed this additional day the ‘Roll on the Capital’ or the ‘Capital Roll.’ I should clarify what this event is NOT: it is not a demonstration, or a militant take-over, or a friendly tour of Washington, D.C. Instead, the Capital Roll is more akin to what advocacy groups and lobbyists call a “Fly-In,” where advocates gather together and attend pre-arranged meetings with Members of Congress (MOC), or their staff, with the intention of changing public policy.
Who Can Come?
I want to echo what Matthew recently said about the Capital Roll: it is meant for everyone! No advocacy or lobbying experience is necessary to join us.
The afternoon of the second day of our Symposium this year will be dedicated to preparing for The Roll. We will go over logistics such as forming teams, understanding the layout of the Capitol complex, becoming fluent with our Legislative Agenda, getting pointers on communicating with Congressional staff, as well as many other practical tips. This training will be led by our coalition allies such as United Spinal Association, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and other partner organizations with federal legislative experience. You and your assigned team will get a list of MOC meetings that have been arranged for you to attend during The Roll day.
How Will We Get There?
Our conference hotel is located in Crystal City, VA, just across the Potomac River from the Washington Mall and Capitol. We’ll use the Washington Metro rail system to get to Union Station (for Senate buildings) or Capitol South (for Representative buildings). From there we will all roll/walk the 10 minute, uphill route to Capitol Hill together.
I visited the Capitol earlier this year on a trip to advocate for the restoration of the Department of Defense's Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP). The entire SCIRP budget was inexplicably cut at the beginning of this year and getting this great research program restored will be one of our goals during the Capital Roll.
After arriving on Capitol Hill we will break into teams and disperse to our meetings. There are several Senate and Representative Office buildings: the Senate complex is NE of the Capitol Building and the Representative Complex is SE of the Capitol Building. The complexes are roughly a half mile apart. You will head into one of the accessible entrances, if you are using a mobility device, go through a quick security checkpoint, and then you’re off to the races!
What Is Our Goal?
Our main goal (or Legislative Agenda) for this year is to get the Department of Defense's Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) reinstated. (For more background on this issue, read my post from earlier this year: Collateral Damage). By the time of the Symposium and Capital Roll in February, we may have an additional ask or two. You will spend much of your time in these meetings telling your stories and making the argument to restore SCIRP.
After our MOC meetings, in the late afternoon, we intend to have a Congressional Briefing on the State of Spinal Cord Injury Research and then head back to the hotel(s) for a debrief and mixer.
Having been to D.C. several times now for this work, I’m getting really excited to roll those streets and halls with all of you. Here’s a brief video reel I put together from my most recent visit to D.C. on behalf of U2FP and the SCI community:
I can’t wait to raise our voices together as we work to accomplish great things. Make sure to register soon so that we can start the groundwork for a successful Capital Roll!
More Reasons to Come
Don’t forget about all the other great opportunities happening at this year's symposium:
- Poster Presenters. We’ve got an open call for poster presenters (Scientists and Trainees)
- Great discounts. 50% off for students, SCI individuals, their families and 1 free registration for personal care assistants. Details on our registration page.
- Early Bird Pricing. When you register now you'll save an extra 30% on top of those discounts
- Hotel Savings. Stay at our conference hotel for just $139/night: book your room
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone as we learn, collaborate, and share strategies for accelerating functional recovery treatments after spinal cord injury. Being able to put all that knowledge into action with the Capital Roll will be a truly exciting endeavor.
Join us!
PS - We keep adding new sponsors for this year's symposium. If your company or organization would like to join us for the premiere gathering of the SCI community, there's still time. Join our title sponsor, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, as well as many other great institutions represented at this year's Symposium.
