John Sauer: Advancing Inclusion Through Systems Change
John Sauer, who passed away on December 23, 2025, lived a life marked by quiet conviction, deep relationships, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion. A devoted husband, father, and beloved “Papa” to nine grandchildren, John also left an enduring mark on the field of disability services and on the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), which he often described as his dream job.
John’s professional life was guided by values of social justice, inclusivity, and respect for people with disabilities. After earning a master’s degree in social work from St. Louis University, he returned to Minnesota to work in social service agencies before joining ICI at the University of Minnesota in 1994. He later earned a second master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota, reflecting both his love of learning and his commitment to strengthening systems that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At ICI, John served as a program coordinator and systems change consultant for more than 15 years, retiring in 2011. He was a lead consultant to state and local agencies seeking to understand and address workforce development challenges, particularly those affecting direct support professionals and frontline supervisors. John brought more than 40 years of experience in human services to this work, drawing on roles that included social worker, administrator, educator, trainer, curriculum developer, and organizational change consultant.
With colleagues at ICI and nationally, John made substantial contributions to scholarship in the field of developmental disabilities. He authored and co-authored dozens of articles, book chapters, and curricula focused on workforce development, community-based supports, and person-centered practices. His work helped shape how agencies recruit, train, support, and retain direct support professionals, emphasizing the critical role of skilled, valued workers in the lives of people with disabilities.
John was also instrumental in the development of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals and played a key role in advancing national conversations about the professionalism and recognition of the direct support workforce. Among the many projects he helped lead or shape were a longitudinal, randomized control study examining the impact of Active Support interventions in Minnesota group homes and the development of the College of Direct Support, a nationwide, online, competency-based curriculum that has strengthened the skills and knowledge of direct support professionals, frontline supervisors, and managers across the country.
John’s work was informed by both professional commitment and personal experience. His sister, Mary, lived with developmental disabilities.
Reflecting on John’s impact, ICI Director Amy Hewitt said, “John believed deeply that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in their communities, and that strong, inclusive communities depend on a skilled, respected direct support workforce. He was tireless in advancing the professionalism of direct support professionals, and he never lost sight of the fact that this work is ultimately about improving people’s everyday lives.”
John was deeply committed to organizational change and to translating research into practice. He was a sought-after consultant, speaker, and workshop facilitator on topics such as recruitment, selection, orientation, training, credentialing, and employee recognition. He also lived the principles he taught, serving for many years as a support team leader for a man with autism who directed his own supports.
Within ICI, John was known as a generous mentor to graduate students and newer staff, offering steady guidance, thoughtful feedback, and an example of integrity grounded in respect for both people and systems. His legacy endures in the scholarship he helped build, the workforce he helped strengthen, and the countless individuals and organizations influenced by his conviction that inclusion is achieved through both values and action.