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Employment is about more than a paycheck — it’s about belonging, purpose, and being valued for your skills. For people with disabilities, work represents independence and the chance to contribute meaningfully to our communities.
But for many of us, the barriers to employment start long before graduation.
I became a client of North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) when I was sixteen. My first counselor was incredible — she helped me plan for college and secured the assistive technology I needed to succeed. With her support, I began college with tools like the professional version of Kurzweil reading software, which made a huge difference.
Still, I soon realized how rigid the system could be. VR expected me to choose one career path and never deviate, even as my interests grew from law to journalism and advocacy. For a teenager, that’s a lot of pressure to define your entire future.
After graduating from Guilford College with high honors, I faced a familiar challenge — uncertainty. My caregivers needed rest, and I was burned out. I volunteered at Solutions for Independence and wrote for The Camel City Dispatch, a local online paper. It felt like real work — but it wasn’t paid. I also blogged for The Huffington Post and served on multiple boards, gaining experience but not income.
My mom used to tell me I was “paid in knowledge and connection,” and she was right — but those don’t cover transportation, technology, or caregiving costs.
Reliable direct care workers are essential to my success, yet their jobs are still undervalued. Currently, wages are around $18 an hour in my case — up from $12 — thanks to recent statewide advocacy and investments. It’s progress, but not enough to guarantee stability or benefits for those providing such vital support. When direct care workers are undervalued, so are the people who depend on them.
Then there’s the “benefits cliff.” If I earn too much, I risk losing the supports that make employment possible. It’s a frustrating paradox — wanting to advance, but being punished for success.
The most significant barrier, however, is attitude. Too many people look at my wheelchair or speech difference and assume I’m less capable. Others call me “inspirational,” but rarely think to pay for the labor behind the story.
Despite it all, I’ve built a career centered on inclusion. Today, I’m a Community Inclusion Specialist at Solutions for Independence, and I’ve had the honor of serving through NCCDD, Disability Rights NC, and the Olmstead Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Together, we’ve helped raise wages for direct care workers and expand opportunities for people with disabilities statewide.
Every barrier I’ve faced has shaped who I am — and why I advocate. Work is more than a paycheck. It’s about purpose, dignity, and the power to belong.
Download checklists on how to Break Barriers as an Employee!
Breaking Barriers Employee Checklist
by Bryan Dooley
Bryan Dooley is an apprentice with NACDD. He is an accomplished Community Inclusion Specialist at Solutions for Independence in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He graduated summa cum laude from Guilford College with a degree in History, where he showcased exceptional leadership through various awards and scholarships. His contributions to The Guilfordian as a writer and his role as a Diversity Coordinator highlight his commitment to fostering inclusion.
