Hayley Hodges on building a career, facing ableism and knowing her worth
Hayley Hodges didn’t want a favour. She wanted a fair shot.
“I wanted to be hired for my abilities and potential, not because an employer viewed accommodating me as too costly or hiring me as a charitable act,” she says.
Today, Hayley is client and family experience lead at Five Counties Children’s Centre, where she helps children and families share their voices and make informed decisions about their care. It is work that brings together everything she cares about: supporting young people, advocating for people with disabilities and giving back to her community.
Pictured with her service dog, Rocket, Hayley Hodges is the client and family experience lead at Five Counties Children’s Centre, where she helps children and families share their voices and make informed decisions about their care. (Photo courtesy of Hayley Hodges)
A career built on connection
Her path began after she graduated from Centennial College’s Child and Youth Worker program in 2014. Over three summers with Holland Bloorview’s Independence Program, she supported youth with disabilities as they built life skills, grew in confidence and experienced greater independence. Volunteering with the Council for Persons with Disabilities and Heads Up for Inclusion deepened her commitment to advocacy and her community.
The long road to the right role
Finding long-term employment took time. Hayley worked with employment agencies and allies, continued applying for roles and kept putting herself forward. Along the way, she says she encountered ableism and questions about how her disability might affect her work. Those experiences sometimes shook her confidence, and rebuilding it is still an ongoing process.
An opportunity at Junior Achievement Northern and Eastern Ontario (JANEO) let her teach children and youth about financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. As program coordinator at Heads Up for Inclusion, she developed and delivered programs for children and youth with disabilities. Each role strengthened the relationship-building, creativity and advocacy skills she brings to her work.
A role built on trust
Hayley joined Five Counties in 2024. Today, her role brings together her education, lived experience and passion for supporting children and families. Trust has been an important part of that experience.
“They believed in my abilities, trusted me to build a program from the ground up, make important decisions, and use my voice to create change,” she says.
She is especially proud of creating meaningful ways for clients and families to influence the programs and services that affect them. For Hayley, inclusion goes beyond physical accessibility. It means being welcomed, heard, respected and valued, with open conversations about the support each person needs.
What she wants employers to know
“I wish more employers understood that hiring a person with a disability is an advantage, not a disadvantage,” Hayley says.
Her message to employers is practical. Recognize people’s skills. Listen to what they need. Give them opportunities to contribute and lead.
Hayley’s story is part of At Work. In Their Own Words, a four-part series from the Council for Persons with Disabilities sharing local perspectives on work and inclusion during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.