News And Events
The very latest articles, events, and developments from NADSP
Let’s Talk: Technology First: Empowering People, Expanding Possibilities
Constance Harrington, author of this month's International Journal for Direct Support Professionals, joins NADSP’s John Raffaele on “Let’s Talk” to ...
Receive 15 Months of NADSP Membership For The Price of 12 Months
The mission of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is to elevate the status of direct support professionals ...
NADSP Policy Update Regarding Federal Shutdown October 2025
Dear Direct Support Professionals, The government shutdown seems to be about one thing. There are some folks in Congress that ...
What Hurts Most About This Week’s Autism “Discovery”
Written by Gary Blumenthal, Public Policy and Communications Advisor I’ve lived my whole life as the brother of Steven Phillip ...
NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Carol Stank
Congratulations to Carol Stank who has been selected as the September 2025 NADSP E-Badge Academy Earner of the Month. We ...
NADSP Board Rejects Trump Administration Comments on Autism
The Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) rejects recent comments from senior federal officials ...
Let’s Talk: Beyond Companionship: How Dogs Support People To Thrive
The numerous roles that a dog can play in a person’s life is ever evolving and growing beyond “man’s best ...
Let’s Talk: The Art of Connection: Establishing and Repairing Rapport in Direct Support Settings
Rapport is not just “nice to have,” it is the foundation upon which all effective support is built. This is ...
DSPs & The Development Of An Individualized Plan
The following article is part of an ongoing series about the NADSP Competency Areas. The NADSP Competency Areas offer DSPs ...
2025 John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Direct Support Workforce Advocacy & Leadership Honoree: Bonnie Jean Brooks
The John F. Kennedy Jr. Award for Direct Support Workforce Advocacy & Leadership Bonnie Jean Brooks (2025) The National Alliance ...
BJ Stasio, Hingsburger Humanitarian Award 2025 Honoree
The Dave Hingsburger Humanitarian Award BJ Stasio (2025) The NADSP is proud to recognize BJ Stasio with the Hingsburger Humanitarian ...
2025 NADSP Conference: ELEVATE Schedule
The 2025 NADSP Conference: ELEVATE is shaping up to be our biggest conference yet! We’ve added more breakout sessions, which ...
Let’s Talk: Summertime and The Living Should Be Easy: Supporting People with Significant Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Summer Activities
This month’s Let’s Talk is all about the current season. Summer. Pools. Beaches. Cookouts. Camping. Summer is often seen as ...
Supporting Community Access In Light Of The ADA Anniversary
The following article is part of an ongoing series about the NADSP Competency Areas. The NADSP Competency Areas offer DSPs ...
NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Mary Ellen Bills
Congratulations to Mary Ellen Bills who has been selected as the July 2025 NADSP E-Badge Academy Earner of the Month ...
NADSP Statement on Final Passage of the Reconciliation Act
Dear Colleagues, Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to adopt the Senate version of the Reconciliation Act—a version ...
Our Latest Explanation of the Reconciliation Bill Debate: It’s still a mess!
Written by Joseph Macbeth, President/CEO; Gary Blumenthal, Senior Policy Advisor; and Nicole Jorwic, Senior Policy Advisor The House Reconciliation Act, also ...
2025 NADSP Conference: Elevate
2025 NADSP Conference: Elevate When it comes to issues affecting direct support professionals – wages, benefits, professional development, recognition, career ...
Let’s Talk: Embracing Diversity Equity and Inclusion: A Pathway to Professional Excellence for DSPs
As the backbone of the disability support system, direct support professionals (DSPs) offer vital support and direction to people with ...
Senate Finance Committee Makes a Bad Bill Even Worse
Team, I wish I had better news. We have just finished our first line-by-line look at the Senate Finance Committee’s ...
