NADSP Advocacy

The mission of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is “to elevate the status of direct support professionals by improving practice standards, promoting system reform, and advancing their knowledge, skills and values.” When it comes to the “promoting system reform” component of our mission, it’s essential that we actively engage in advocacy to advance policy and legislation that benefits direct support professionals (DSPs). To live out our mission, we are producing resources, working with legislators, and partnering with national organizations to amplify the voices of DSPs and drive systemic change at all levels.

2025 Disability Policy Seminar

NADSP was excited to join the Disability Policy Seminar as partner this spring in Washington, D.C. The Disability Policy Seminar is an annual federal legislative conference focused on cultivating champions on Capitol Hill and advancing the grassroots movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

NADSP’s Latest Policy Updates

NADSP Senior Policy Advisor Nicole Jorwic shares the latest policy updates. Click the learn more button below for our most recent advocacy alerts. 

NADSP Policy Priorities

NADSP has prioritized the following proposed legislation in its advocacy efforts. Our organization is actively working to secure support for these bills by increasing the number of cosponsors and organizing advocacy efforts through public policy events and initiatives.

At this time, NADSP is actively monitoring proposed legislation in the 2025 United States House and Senate. If you have any questions on NADSP’s policy priorities, please email our Senior Policy Advisors, Nicole Jorwic (njorwic@nadsp.org) and Gary Blumenthal (gblumenthal@nadsp.org). 

“I believe that NADSP’s advocacy efforts will one day lead to true, systemic change that will improve the lives of many.”

- Joseph Macbeth, NADSP President & CEO

NADSP Advocacy & Policy Resources

NADSP has produced a number of different articles, guides, videos etc. to help educate DSPs and inform the broader human services field. These materials provide information about NADSP’s legislative priorities, advocacy efforts, and more.

Advocacy in Storytelling: Storytelling With Comics!

Advocacy in Storytelling: Storytelling With Comics!

Watch The Webinar Recording Thank you for your interest in this NADSP webinar. One of the NADSP Member benefits is ...
2021 Direct Support Professional Recognition Week Reflections

2021 Direct Support Professional Recognition Week Reflections

As we conclude another year of National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, I would like to extend our thanks and ...
Direct Support Workforce and COVID-19 National Report: 12 Month Follow-Up

Direct Support Workforce and COVID-19 National Report: 12 Month Follow-Up

ICI’s Research and Training Center on Community Living for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (RTC-CL), in partnership with the ...
2021 Virtual Event: From Promise To Progress

2021 Virtual Event: From Promise To Progress

Schedule Become A SponsorCurrent SponsorsAbout The 2021 Virtual Event From September 12th – 15th, NADSP and the Research and Training ...
New Report Released About DSP Workforce and COVID-19

New Report Released About DSP Workforce and COVID-19

The Institute on Community Integration’s Research and Training Center on Community Living for Persons with intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the University ...
Direct Support Workforce and COVID-19 National Report: 6 Month Follow-Up

Direct Support Workforce and COVID-19 National Report: 6 Month Follow-Up

A six-month follow-up Direct Support Workforce and COVID-19 survey was developed and launched in November 2020. A few additional items, ...
Caring for the Future: The Power and Potential of America’s Direct Care Workforce

Caring for the Future: The Power and Potential of America’s Direct Care Workforce

This report provides a detailed profile of these workers; a segmented look at the long-term care industry; a discussion on ...
Frontline Initiative: Making A Career In Direct Support

Frontline Initiative: Making A Career In Direct Support

This issue of Frontline Initiative is about making a career in direct support. Direct support professionals (DSPs) report on why ...

Advocacy & Policy Sponsors

We would like to thank the following organizations for their support of NADSP’s advocacy initiatives. Their partnership helps ensure that NADSP can continue its efforts to promote system reform that will positively impact DSPs.

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