Blind people face systemic barriers to independence, and it's time to address them.

That was the message from leaders in the blind community at the Colorado Center for the Blind to U.S. Rep. Jason Crow during a tour of the Littleton facility on Feb. 19.

Blind people face high unemployment rates, low wages, hard-to-use technology and steep prices for necessary assistive devices, the center's leaders told Crow, and they're hoping a host of bills currently making their way to or through Congress can help.

Crow, a Democrat who represents Colorado's 6th Congressional District — which includes Littleton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch and Aurora, among other areas — became the first member of Congress to visit the center. He got a rundown of the facility's wide-ranging programs — and of legislative efforts championed by the center and the National Federation of the Blind, or NFB.

“The NFB believes blind people can live the lives they want, but they need the opportunity, the training, and a fair shake,” said NFB Colorado President Scott LaBarre.

The center, which draws students from around the world for an immersive life skills curriculum aimed at instilling independence, is the showpiece of NFB Colorado. But the center's efforts can't conquer the systemic barriers faced by the nation's roughly 2 million legally blind people, LaBarre said.

Home appliances and devices are increasingly difficult for blind people to use as manufacturers transition from knobs and buttons to touch screens, LaBarre said.

“Thank God I have one of the last washing machines without a touch screen,” said LaBarre, who is blind.

Many medical devices are also transitioning to touch screens, said Julie Deden, the center's director.

“Many blind people are diabetic, and insulin pumps often aren't accessible without help,” Deden said.

The Greater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act would compel manufacturers to include audible screen reading technology in new devices, according to NFB materials. The act has not yet been introduced to Congress.

Another agenda item, the Access Technology Affordability Act, would provide a refundable tax credit for crucial access devices that are often hugely expensive, LaBarre said.

Braille reading and writing devices can cost thousands of dollars, according to NFB materials, but can prove invaluable to helping blind people maintain employment and stay connected to the world. The devices are seldom covered by medical insurance, LaBarre said.

The bill enjoys bipartisan support, but is currently stalled out in Congress.

Another act would address employment barriers. Nearly three-quarters of blind people are unemployed or underemployed, according to NFB materials, and often find themselves hampered by antiquated training programs that relegate the blind to menial, repetitive tasks.

The Disability Employment Act would reform training programs, tax incentives and government contracts to prioritize workers who are blind or disabled, according to NFB materials. The bill has not yet seen the floor of Congress.

A recently added legislative priority would address a decades-old law that allows employers to pay employees who are blind or disabled less than minimum wage.

The law was originally written with the intent that employers would provide training and vocational programs, LaBarre said, but “in practice, we've seen that almost never happens.”

The Transition to Competitive Employment Act would phase out sub-minimum wages over six years. Two forms of the bill are currently before the House and Senate.

The legislative agenda could mean a world of difference to blind people nationwide, Deden said — and pressed that the numbers of blind people are growing.

“As baby boomers age, macular degeneration is increasing,” Deden said.

Crow wasn't ready to confirm his support of the legislative agenda, saying he needed to read the text of the bills first.

But he said, “these seem like things that are consistent with my values: giving everyone an opportunity to succeed and fulfill their potential.”

LaBarre said he was pleased with the meeting.

“It's always reassuring to work with elected officials who listen and take a genuine interest,” LaBarre said. “We're encouraged.”