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By Kamaria Kali, Search Inc. Administrative and Development Assistant
A Crash Course on DSPs: The Backbone of Disability Services
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are often called everyday heroes for their vital role in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). While once focused primarily on daily caregiving, today’s DSPs provide a broad range of support that empowers individuals with IDD to live rich, independent and dignified lives that go beyond basic needs. That means everything from helping with daily tasks like personal care and medication management to job training, community engagement and beyond.
Without DSPs, many adults with IDD wouldn’t receive the essential and high-quality support they need. DSPs often become trusted advocates and chosen families to the people they support. They not only build relationships but empower people with disabilities to live on their own terms with dignity and safety. DSPs are an important part of the healthcare, education and social support systems, but their pay does not often reflect this.
DSPs play a vital role in the lives of those they support, yet many earn just above minimum wage. In 2023, Illinois saw a 44% turnover rate among DSPs, not due to a lack of dedication but because the system fails to provide the support and compensation they deserve.
That’s where They Deserve More comes in. This movement, led by advocates, families, providers and DSPs themselves, demands fair wages, benefits and overdue recognition for DSPs. The message is simple: if we value people with disabilities, we need to value the people who support them.
This problem is also an intersectional issue. Most DSPs are women, many of whom are black and brown. Underpaying and undervaluing them is not just a labor issue; it’s an equity issue. Uplifting DSPs is part of dismantling systems that devalue care work and marginalized communities.
| Black | White | Hispanic | Other* | Male | Female | Non-Binary | |
| Illinois | 42.5% | 43.9% | 4.1% | 9.5% | 21.0% | 74.8% | 0.2% |
| Indiana | 30.8% | 49.8% | 2.9% | 16.5% | 21.2% | 71.7% | 0.0% |
| Missouri | 20.1% | 57.6% | 1.1% | 21.2% | 18.9% | 76.6% | 0.1% |
| New Jersey | 48.4 | 27.9 | 9.9 | 13.8 | 22.6% | 71.5% | 0.0% |
| NCI-IDD Avg. | 43.6% | 34.1% | 4.9% | 30.1% | 24.9% | 69.8% | 0.2% |
*According to National Core Indicators® Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities State of the Workforce 2022 Survey Report
*Other in this context includes: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, More than one race/ethnicity, Other, and Don’t know
You have probably met a DSP, even if you didn’t know it at the time. They’re your neighbors, classmates, family and community members. They show up every day, even when it’s difficult. They uplift voices, face trauma, spread love and support the resiliency of the people they support daily. All of this is accomplished with little recognition.
So, what can you do? Support legislation that increases DSP wages and training. Share impact stories. Talk to your representatives. Follow and amplify the #TheyDeserveMore movement. Show up for the people who always show up for others.
Through continued advocacy and education, we strive for DSPs to receive the respect, recognition and funding they deserve. A truly just and equitable world cannot exist without valuing those who make inclusion possible.
Resources:
Illinois Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by the Numbers 2023
Sources:
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
‘They Still Deserve More’ protesters seek support for caretakers of people with disabilities
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