Hello! I’m Armando, a community advocate, local, and statewide Disability Caucus Chair for my local Democratic Committee (appointed 2024 to present) and the Young Democrats of Georgia Disability Caucus (first elected 2025, reelected 2026) who’s dedicated to championing equal access, destroying ableism, and shattering low expectations about what blind people like me can achieve every single day.
Ableism refers to systemic discrimination, prejudice, passive-aggressive avoidance—like ghosting, ignoring, or muttering under one’s breath—and patronizing attitudes, such as being told “good job,” “you’re so brave,” or “you’re an inspiration” just for completing everyday, ordinary tasks directed at disabled people, including blind people like me. It’s often rooted in ignorance, unexamined assumptions, and a refusal to learn from someone else’s lived experience.
I’m blind, but that never stops me from pursuing my goals and bringing my ideas to life.
Getting To Know Me for The First Time
If this is your first time visiting my website at armandovias.com, I’d like to warmly welcome you! Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about me—from my background and how to interact with me, to my coping strategies during stressful situations and answers to questions you may have regarding my blindness:
My Advocacy Work
From local City Council and Commissioner meetings to statewide and national advocacy efforts, you’ll find all of my latest work right here in one place.
Public Appearances
This page tracks my latest public appearances, including media features, community rallies, and speaking engagements at different forums and meetings.
Latest Posts
From advocacy letters, guides, statements, and beyond, you’ll find the latest posts from across my website below.
Get In Touch
I’m always looking to expand my circle, meet new people, and build genuine friendships. Whether you live right down the road or halfway across the world, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, no matter what time of day!
Drop me a line at [email protected] if you want to:
- Invite me for a car ride: If you’re local—or if we’re connecting at a conference, convention, summit, training, or meetup—and you have a car, hit me up for a peaceful one-on-one car ride with no destination in mind. It’s one of my absolute favorite ways to unwind, explore, and have a great conversation.
- Swap stories: Tell me about yourself, your goals, or how you found my website.
- Geek out with me: I’m always down to chat about web development, public transit routes, aviation logistics, or even the best ways to reheat food in an air fryer!
- Talk advocacy: If you share a passion for equal access and community building, let’s connect.
- Just say hello: You don’t need a formal reason to write. Let’s start a conversation and see where it goes!