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 intellectual and developmental disabilities in a variety of contexts. High turnover rates, a lack of workers, and few prospects for career advancement are just a few of the major issues facing the profession despite their vital role.  Adopting diversity, equity and inclusion principles can help organizations that support the IDD community create support systems that more accurately reflect and address the varied needs, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences of the people they serve. It can also help create more respectful and sustainable work environments for DSPs, many of whom are members of underrepresented groups.

Within intricate support networks, DSPs who adopt DEI values and practices act as advocates, change agents, and cultural bridge builders. Their efforts have a direct impact on the self-determination, community involvement, and quality of life of people with IDD from a variety of backgrounds.

Dr. Sarah Gonzalez Noveiri (AHRC Nassau) will join John Raffaele (NADSP) on our next Let’s Talk webinar to discuss their article, “Embracing Diversity Equity and Inclusion: A Pathway to Professional Excellence for DSPs.”

Dr. Noveiri will bring their global expertise in evidence-based systems of organizational change with a focus on building healthier, more inclusive workplace cultures to this month’s webinar. 

ASL interpretation and closed captions will be available during the webinar. For previous issues of The International Journal for Direct Support Professionals, click here.