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A man with a disability and his direct support professional (DSP) stand in front of a lake in sunshine. The DSP is wearing sunglasses and a surgical mask.

Surveys: COVID-19’s Heavy Toll

The pandemic may be over, but a new ICI report reminds us of the heavy toll that COVID-19 took on the direct support workforce. Drastic staffing challenges, inadequate wage increases, burnout, and depression formed Covid’s legacy among the professionals who support people with disabilities in their daily lives.

Read more about the report.

ICI's Amy Hewitt speaks from a lectern in Taiwan. The lecture hall, and the audience, is large. Some audience members are wearing surgical masks.

Advancing Inclusion in Taiwan

ICI director Amy Hewitt (pictured at lectern) and a former colleague recently helped lead a conference in Taiwan on inclusive community living for people with disabilities. The conference brought providers together to increase community services in Taiwan.

“I was impressed by the training programs we observed that actually led to competitive employment,” Hewitt said. “Community businesses employed people without and people with disabilities.”

Read more about Hewitt in Taiwan.

Two people, one wearing purple and one wearing pink, relax together on a picnic blanket in a park.

Belonging and Community

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) still feel discrimination because of their sexuality and gender identities. But this Impact article notes that these identities are becoming less rigid. Also, self-determination encourages people with disabilities, especially young people, to be more open about who they are.

Read more about sexuality among people with IDD.