{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Challenged for His Blindness, Not His Words: Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette","description":"In Episode 126 of White Canes Connect, hosts Lisa Bryant and David Goldstein welcome Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, Director of Government Affairs at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) and a proud member of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Dylan shares his experiences as a policy advocate, including his recent congressional testimony on waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending. While his testimony was substantive and well-researched, Dylan faced an unfortunate wave of online backlash\u2014not for his arguments, but for his blindness. Instead of engaging with his policy points, critics weaponized harmful stereotypes, dismissing his expertise solely because he is blind. NFB leadership, including President Riccobono, strongly condemned this type of discrimination and called for more respectful political discourse. Despite the attacks, Dylan remains focused on his advocacy work. He discusses the importance of persistence, staying informed, and engaging in grassroots activism. Listeners are encouraged to start small\u2014advocating in their communities, contacting legislators, and standing firm against discrimination. This powerful episode is a reminder that advocacy is for everyone, and resilience in the face of ignorance is key to driving meaningful change. Show notes at&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.whitecanesconnect.com\/126 &amp;nbsp; Links Mentioned  President Riccobono\u2019s statement: https:\/\/youtu.be\/1m6OJvSq-EI?si=rWJwIC7WX_7Lg_Mz&amp;nbsp; Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette on POGO: https:\/\/www.pogo.org\/about\/people\/dylan-hedtler-gaudette Dylan\u2019s opening remarks:  https:\/\/www.c-span.org\/video\/?c5153911\/user-clip-dylan-hedtler-gaudette-testimony&amp;nbsp; Here is a news article about Dylan\u2019s testimony:  https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2025\/02\/18\/maine-native-testifies-before-congress-elon-musk-targets-his-disability\/&amp;nbsp; Want NFB-NEWSLINE? Reach out to David at VP1@NFBofPA.org.  An Easy Way to Help the NFB of PA Support the NFB of PA with every purchase at White Cane Coffee Company by going to&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.whitecanecoffee.com\/ref\/nfbp. When you use that link to purchase from White Cane Coffee, the NFB of PA earns a 10% commission! Share the link with your family and friends! Listen to Erin and Bob Willman from White Cane Coffee on&amp;nbsp;episode 072&amp;nbsp;of White Canes Connect. Donate to the NFB of PA Like what you hear on White Canes Connect? Support us and donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.NFBofPA.org\/give\/. We Want to Hear Your Story Reach out with questions and comments, or share ideas! We want to hear from you. Call us at (267) 338-4495 or at&amp;nbsp;whitecanesconnect@gmail.com. Follow White Canes Connect Find out why White Canes Connect is currently ranked at #13 of the 100 Best Visually Impaired Podcast. Find the show on: Apple Podcasts:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/white-canes-connect\/id1592248709&amp;nbsp; Spotify:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI&amp;nbsp; YouTube:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@pablindpodcast&amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"White Canes Connect","author_url":"https:\/\/www.whitecanesconnect.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/35541220\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/185335585"}