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"Why not try?"
Sasha Fontaine did what was expected of her as a direct support professional. But when she challenged her own assumptions, Paula, whom Sasha supported, went on to experience the thrill of water skiing. Sasha is expanding horizons for herself and the people she supports by trying rather than assuming what people with disabilities can and can't do.
A Closer Look is a podcast that considers issues raised in the new Frontline Initiative.
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Words matter: What do we mean by support work?
In this Access Press article, ICI's Jerry Smith and Amy Hewitt explain that direct support professionals work in a misunderstood role without a federal Standard Occupational Classification. A distinct classification could help policymakers understand the size and needs of the workforce, improve planning, and clarify career and training pathways. It would also make direct support more visible and valued.
"When DSPs are described only as caregivers, the full scope of their work and professional identity can be overlooked. When everyone who provides care to a person with a disability is called a DSP, the distinctive role of direct support becomes harder to see. Clear language matters because the words we use shape how we understand a job, including the skills it requires and the contribution it makes."
Road to Belonging: Decades of Disability Advocacy and Innovation
An 11-panel visual timeline in ICI’s lobby traces the disability movement from isolation, segregation, and institutionalization toward inclusion, self-determination, and community belonging. It highlights the people, advocacy, policies, and innovations that have transformed opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the Institute’s contributions to this movement. Visitors are welcome during regular office hours.
