Challenged for His Blindness, Not His Words: Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette

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—not 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—advocating 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 https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/126  
Links Mentioned

• President Riccobono’s statement: https://youtu.be/1m6OJvSq-EI?si=rWJwIC7WX_7Lg_Mz 
• Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette on POGO: https://www.pogo.org/about/people/dylan-hedtler-gaudette
• Dylan’s opening remarks: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5153911/user-clip-dylan-hedtler-gaudette-testimony 
• Here is a news article about Dylan’s testimony: https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/18/maine-native-testifies-before-congress-elon-musk-targets-his-disability/ 
• Want NFB-NEWSLINE? Reach out to David at [e-mail].

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