Let’s Talk: Considering the Ethical Significance of Assent and Dissent

As a direct support professional (DSP) who works with people with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), it may be the case that you accompany the people you support to various activities and places, including clinical appointments. You may also be responsible for care provision and offering supportive interventions aimed to benefit their health, well-being, and/or quality of life. In some of the clinical appointments that the people you support attend, the primary clinician(s) may need consent for what they are recommending. Similarly, the interventions you offer may require consent. DSPs have an important role to play in interpreting agreement (assent) and dissent.

This month’s Let’s Talk webinar will explore ethics surrounding consent and dissent as a direct support professsional. NADSP Director of Educational Services, John Raffaele welcomes Andria Bianchi, PhD, a Clinical Ethicist at Unity Health Toronto to discuss her article, “But they’re incapable…”: Considering the Ethical Significance of Assent and Dissent.” This  webinar is a companion to the January International Journal for Direct Support Professionals issue. ASL interpretation will be available during the webinar along with closed captions.

For previous issues of The International Journal for Direct Support Professionals, click here.