Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL)

Effective support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities relies on the presence of competent, qualified, and dedicated direct support staff. In Maryland, several provider …

This Policy Forum addresses COVID-19 vaccinations among direct support professionals (DSPs). It is based on a Policy Research Brief of the same name. The brief contained findings from a recent …

Every day, direct support professionals (DSPs) make significant decisions affecting the lives of the people they support. But it can be hard for DSPs to make decisions when they are doing something…

A report describing the status of, and trends in, long-term supports and services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the U.S. on June 30, 2016. It is based on an annual …

A brief examines a Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey subsample of 388 caregivers of minor children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), ages...

A brief examining a Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey subsample of 807 caregivers of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), ages 18 and...

A newsletter issue recognizing the changing role of the Direct Support Professional (DSP). This issue highlights public policies that can support the changing role of DSPs, and ways they support …

A report detailing the methods and findings of a social inclusion study. Since most individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities live at home, engaging families in social...

A brief comparing caregiving experiences of family caregivers for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with those of caregivers who responded to the Caregiving in the U.S. …

A brief summarizing findings from the National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, National Center on Health Statistics in 1994 and 1995. It …

A brief summarizing findings from the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, National Center on Health Statistics in 1994 and 1995. In these years, 202,560 …

A follow-up brief to issue 3(1) describing the social activities of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) using the National Health Interview Survey Disability Suppleme…

A brief offering a second look at the 1997-2004 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and its usefulness in describing the characteristics and needs of persons with intellectual or developmental …

A brief representing a departure from previous issues in the series, which have focused on the characteristics and needs of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in the …

A brief summarizing findings from the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, National Center on Health Statistics, in 1994 and 1995, which included a Disabilit…

A brief summarizing findings from the National Health Interview Survey on Disability conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, National Center on Health Statistics in 1994 and 1995. It is an …

A brief describing the experiences with public and private health insurance coverage for people with functional limitations, people with IDD, and people who do not have IDD or functional limitation…

A brief using the 1994-1995 Child Disability Follow-Back Survey (DFS) of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to examine the characteristics of children between the ages of 6 and 17 who …

A brief comparing the demographic characteristics, health status, functional limitations, and perceived disability status for adults in three groups who had mental retardation and/or developmental …

A brief describing people with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities (MR/ DD) living in the community in terms of demographic characteristics and economic status. Those characteristi…

A brief describing people with MR/DD living in the community in terms of basic demographic characteristics, functional and other limitations, residential services history, medical services received…

A newsletter issue exploring what we know, and what we still need to know, about supporting increased participation of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in postsecondary …

A newsletter issue exploring the question "What does it mean to affirm and support a positive, healthy sexuality for individuals with disabilities?" Its articles cover topics ranging from sexuality…

A newsletter issue exploring the question, "What can be done today to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are aging?" Its articles give a variety of responses to …

A newsletter issue responding to the question, "How can families and early childhood professionals provide quality, inclusive early childhood education for young children with and without disabilit…

A newsletter issue that encourages readers to hold an expansive vision of what's possible for women with disabilities in the employment arena, and offers strategies, resources, and inspiration to …

A newsletter issue addressing the need for greater inclusion of people with disabilities in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. When disasters occur people with disabilities are …

A newsletter issue exploring strategies for families of teens and young adults with disabilities to consider in navigating the transition years with their young person, and sharing stories of …

A newsletter issue proposing that one way to increase the social inclusion of individuals with disabilities is for children, youth and adults with and without disabilities to play together. While …

A newsletter issue continuing the dialog about inclusion that has already begun between persons with disabilities, faith communities, and the disability services system. "A basic component of …

A newsletter issue examining violence as it impacts women with developmental and other disabilities - what we know, what we don't know, and what needs to be done to prevent it and to help women …

A curriculum targeting frontline supervisors and managers regarding the use of effective recruitment, retention, and training strategies. Includes Facilitator Guide and Learner Guide.

A curriculum helping supervisors and other agency staff find, support, and retain immigrant workers. Includes Facilitator Guide and Learner Guide.

This issue is dedicated to direct support professionals and all they have endured since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes stories from self-advocates, family members, health care …

A brief summarizing the trends in family support services for families of persons with developmental disabilities in the U.S. based on longitudinal study conducted by the authors.

A brief reviewing U.S. laws that impact, and present barriers to, the exercise of voting rights by persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A brief reviewing U.S. studies that have measured behavioral outcomes associated with the movement of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities from institutions to community …

A pair of easy-to-use toolkits helping families and people with disabilities find quality, caring, and committed Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). There are two different versions of the tookit …

A report summarizing a study of two national congregational efforts for inclusion of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities: Accessible Congregations Campaign and Befrienders Ministry.

A report summarizing the results of the FAST Family Support Survey, a 2010 national Internet survey of 2,416 parents or relatives of children and youth ages 11 years to 39 years with disabilities …

A newsletter issue presenting practical and insightful articles about supporting the social well-being of children and youth with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities in the settings …

A brief reporting findings of a study that gathered data in 2009-2010 about how people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are being served across states in Home and Community Based Services ( …

A newsletter issue exploring employment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their changing role in the American workforce. Historically, people with disabilities have …

A report covering a study about the degree of membership of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities in community organizations, and community members' perceptions of such inclusion. …

A planning guide and curriculum for supervisors and agency staff focusing on socialization and skill development for all employees. Includes Program Coordinator Guide, Facilitator Guide, and …

A brief summarizing publicly-available data sources that provide information about the employment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides important information …

A brief examining postsecondary education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, which is on the cusp of major growth thanks to recent federal policy and grant initiatives. …

A newsletter issue examining the education of English language learners with disabilities, who are a growing part of the K-12 school population in the U.S. The available knowledge on how to …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals providing a variety of perspectives related to effectively supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in later …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals approaching healthcare from multiple perspectives; it also provides useful information that is needed to support people with disabilities in …

A newsletter issue explaining how the NADSP Code of Ethics, adopted in 2001, guides Direct Support Professionals through ethical dilemmas at work.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively working with families of the individuals they support - most of whom live with a family member.

A newsletter issue encouraging Direct Support Professionals to think about how to use technology to more effectively support individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue highlighting the roles Direct Support Professionals play in supporting people with disabilities to find and keep satisfying employment.

A newsletter issue explaining how Direct Support Professionals can benefit from their NADSP state chapter - and how they can start their own.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on spirituality within the framework of NADSP's Code of Ethics and providing training materials to more effectively…

A newsletter issue highlighting the recognition of the work of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), including examples of ways in which agencies recognize DSPs, the role of credentialing in …

A newsletter issue explaining how credentialing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) can heighten professionalism among DSPs and improve public perceptions of their work.

A newsletter issue containing examples of efforts across the country to help community human service agencies, individuals, and family employers find, train, and keep high quality DSPs (also known …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) offering various DSP perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) focusing on how they can effectively work closely with families in order to create the highest quality of life possible for people with …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities who are getting older.

A newsletter issue addressing the documentation process for Direct Support Professionals, including writing daily notes about how they are supporting an individual with disabilities, charting …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities as they cope with disaster and its aftermath.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities by advocating for them and their issues through the …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities as they move into their communities, gain control of their …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively - and ethically - supporting individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities through teamwork by interacting with their co-workers, …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities by gaining the credentials to do so.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting diverse individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering a tribute to John F. Kennedy, Jr. (1960-1999), a great advocate for individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities with complex needs.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities as they decide for themselves how to spend their lives.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) showing how DSPs in other countries effectively support individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities by becoming more professional in their work habits …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals showing how they can cope with stress while still effectively supporting individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities by communicating better with them.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals with disabilities as they cope with change.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals showing how training can help them more effectively support individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals showing how building relationships can help them more effectively support individuals with disabilities.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives on effectively supporting individuals through this and future issues of the series.

A nationally validated set of 11 competency areas, known as the National Frontline Supervisor Competencies, guiding the work of frontline supervisors in the direct support workforce.

A set of behavioral and situational interview questions gauging the knowledge of external frontline supervisor candidates about the 11 competencies identified in the National Frontline Supervisor …

A test helping frontline supervisors and frontline supervisor candidates to evaluate their current performance level and create a self-development plan. Known as the Frontline Supervisor Assessment…

A set of online video presentations from the July 2012 conference, State of the Science: Outcomes for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Experts in …

A multimedia resource providing information important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that is accessible to all. The content is translated into understandable language …

A report on the VOICE program, a person-centered quality assurance system that emphasizes self-determination created by the Region 10 Quality Assurance Commission in Southeast Minnesota.

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals offering various perspectives related to providing effective supports for individuals with "dual diagnoses," meaning people with intellectual or …

A video illustrating the real, everyday work of direct support professionals (DSPs) in the field of developmental disabilities. This job preview is a DSP recruitment strategy designed to give …

A report summarizing the activities and findings of a project funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and conducted by the University of Minnesota's Research and Training Center...

A report covering the national Internet survey that The Arc of the United States conducted in 2010 that aimed to capture the perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) recognizing their accomplishments and telling their career stories about supporting people with disabilities. A critical part of recognizi…

A manual providing concrete, "how-to" strategies for supporting relationships between people with disabilities and other community members. It describes why such friendships are important to …

A document and form helping Direct Support managers to determine their staff turnover and vacancy rates. This, in turn, allows them to choose retention strategies, identify reasons for agency …

An instrument helping Direct Support agency managers to determine the success of their recruitment and retention efforts.

A brief presenting Employment First across the nation through an array of online, interactive visual features that allow users to investigate the various Employment First policy approaches that...

A video covering facts about ASD, including signs and symptoms and behavior challenges. The video is narrated in the Somali language and closed captioned in English.

A video presenting a Somali parent discussing current treatments and interventions for individual with ASD. The video is narrated in the Somali language and closed captioned in English.

A video presenting a Somali parent sharing her experiences and knowledge to help connect other parents with resources on autism. The video is narrated in the Somali language and closed captioned in...

A newsletter issue featuring then-and-now personal stories from individuals with disabilities, their families, and allies that provide a snapshot of how the disability rights movement has touched …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) exploring the importance of social capital in the lives of the people they support. Social capital is the value a person gets from …

A brief providing states with information to help their new policy and service developments comply with regulatory criteria that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services specified in March …

A DVD providing an overview of Active Support -- how it is implemented and the kind of training involved to make it successful. Active Support is an organizational intervention that enables Direct...

A technical report describing results from a survey of state intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) agencies for FY 2012 on the status and trends of long-term supports and services for …

A brief aiming to provide policy makers, advocates, and researchers a tool to better understand the pervasiveness of poverty affecting people with disabilities, both locally and across the nation. …

A brief investigating poverty and disability. The second in a series, the purpose of this brief is to provide an in-depth national and state understanding about poverty and disability by...

A newsletter issue marking the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In this Impact are articles by individuals with disabilities, families, advocates, service providers...

A report describing services and supports available to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in five U.S. Territories (American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas…

A brief reviewing which countries have signed and/or ratified the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). About 10% of the world's population lives with …

A film telling the stories of eight individuals with disabilities who have vibrant lives in which they live and participate in their communities in the ways they choose. Their stories illustrate...

A brief reviewing the state of knowledge and research practice in the emerging field of postsecondary education for students with intellectual and other learning-related developmental disabilities …

This Policy Forum, held on March 22, 2024, discusses the recent Policy Research Brief titled, The Employment Impacts of Being a Family Caregiver . Discussants include ICI's Lynda Lahti Anderson; …

An issue in the Impact series that looks at how people with disabilities are exercising and experiencing self-determination in the U.S. and other countries today, and at the emergence of Supported …

This issue in the Impact series focuses on transition in a global context. Preparing for life after high school—whether that means college, work, or simply living in the community—varies greatly …

A brief providing a state-by-state summary of services supporting individuals with disabilities living in the family home. Data presented are based on the State of the States in Developmental …

A brief summarizing the results of a national study on the status of consumer-directed services for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The study was conducted at the Universit…

A brief describing models, innovations, and best practices in case management and support coordination for persons with disabilities. The approaches presented were identified during a study …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) exploring trauma-informed care. This issue of Frontline Initiative provides background information on trauma-informed care and offers...

A brief presenting selected findings from a study and literature review describing the experiences of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and nonrecipients and their families in relation …

A newsletter issue on supporting wellness for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Wellness is a rapidly growing area of focus for people across the U.S. The popularity of …

A brief examining state policies regarding termination of parental rights, focusing on the extent to which states use disability status as grounds for termination.

A pair of videos and an accompanying brief outlining how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face significant barriers in the criminal justice system, despite laws meant to …

A pair of videos and an accompanying brief outlining the value of self-determination and self-advocacy among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A researcher and a self- …

A brief providing an overview of family support services in the states based on data gathered for the State of the States in Developmental Disabilities Project, a longitudinal study of public …

A pair of videos and an accompanying brief outlining employment in the general workforce and economic self-sufficiency for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A researcher and …

A pair of videos and an accompanying brief outlining aging issues and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A researcher and a self-advocate both provide short presentations.

A pair of videos and an accompanying brief outlining the need for a better match between the growing demand for a...

A video and an accompanying brief outlining long-term supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A researcher provides a short presentation.

A pair of videos and an accompanying brief outlining social Inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A researcher and a self-advocate both provide short presentations …

A brief examining and summarizing the research and policy issues that state policymakers may face as they consider whether to increase, reduce, or close institutions in their own states.

A video and an accompanying brief outlining health and Wellness for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A researcher provides a short presentation.

A pair of videos and an accompanying brief outlining supports for families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A researcher and a self-advocate both provide short presentati…

A pair of videos and an accompanying brief outlining education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A researcher and a self-advocate both provide short presentations.

A video designed to raise expectations for full workforce participation - that work can be a reality for anyone. The target audiences are self-advocates and families.

A brief reviewing available research on the costs and outcomes of community service provision for people with intellectual disabilities (or "mental retardation") and developmental disabilities, …

A video following a question-and-answer format, in plain and simple language from self-advocates and policy staff about changes in employment policy and services. The target audiences are...

A video emphasizing the power of words, especially when they relate to how employment is defined, addressed, and communicated. The target audiences are self-advocates, parents, educators,...

A video acknowledging that balancing health and safety with successful employment activities is not always easy. Incorporating accommodations and customizing work tasks and settings is critical in...

A film documenting the social paradigm shift triggered by Wolf Wolfensberger, a professor and change agent who, in the early 1970s, popularized and expanded the principle of normalization of people...

A brief reviewing the implementation of the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services "waiver" program during its first 20 years, from Fiscal Year 1982 through Fiscal Year 2002. The review …

A brief summarizing the results of a survey of state agencies administering services for persons with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and state-level residential …

A pocket guide containing questions for families and persons with disabilities to ask as they interview residential service providers and decide which are best suited to meet their support needs.

A brief reporting on findings from interviews conducted with 49 state directors of special education (or their designees). Recent data collected from a national survey estimates that about 12% of …

A brief reviewing the current literature in the area of health care needs of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and allied medical conditions, looking at the degree to …

A brief reporting the results from a review of 38 published studies that measured behavioral outcomes associated with the movement of people with mental retardation from public institutions to …

A report providing an overview of the Twin Cities and Zambia Disability Connection, outlining the project's preliminary outcomes, and identifying ongoing needs for individuals with disabilities in …

A report documenting the results of a five-year project with Lutheran Social Services in Minnesota to impact the social relationships which individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities …

An issue in the newly-redesigned Impact series that shares articles from around the country describing how person-centered positive supports use evidence-based practices in the service of the …

A video looking outside the "system" to leverage friends, family, and community members to build natural supports. The target audiences are individuals, families, provider agency managers, job …

A video using the tools of Person Centered Thinking to introduce the organization and job seekers. The target audiences are employment consultants and specialists, job coaches, provider agency...

A video moving beyond want ads and incorporating best practices in job development. The target audiences are employment consultants and specialists, job coaches, provider agency managers, county …

A video using data to evaluate program outcomes. The target audiences are provider agency managers and directors, county case managers, employment consultants or specialists, and job developers.

A video showing how to start the conversation about employment coming from the presumption of employability. The presenters are from the State of Minnesota and Dakota County. The target audiences …

Family members play essential roles in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including providing medical, emotional, financial, and day-to-day support. Family …

Direct support professionals (DSPs) advocate regularly with the people they support. This issue of Frontline Initiative argues that DSPs now need to speak up for themselves and their profession— …

A report describing a project that refined, tested, and delivered a "Train-the-Trainer" model to the National Training Institute for Frontline Supervisors. The project also provided a distributed...

A video exploring how employment paves a pathway to community living, engagement, and independence. The target audiences are individuals, families, managers, direct support professionals, and …

A fact sheet presenting the basic ideas, next steps, and resources useful for people with disabilities who choose community-based employment.

A fact sheet presenting the basic ideas, next steps, and resources useful for people with disabilities who want to use networking in their job search.

A fact sheet presenting the basic ideas, next steps, and resources useful for people with disabilities who aim to be a "positive" job seeker.

A fact sheet presenting the basic ideas, next steps, and resources useful for people with disabilities who want to find support at work to help them succeed on the job.

A report examining organizational workforce outcomes; characteristics of and differences between managers, Frontline Supervisors (FLS) and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs); and workplace...

A YouTube channel containing documentary films, educational and training video programs, organizational profiles, and interviews, all developed through the Research and Training Center on Community…

A website presenting the program's training for future leaders who will serve children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families in health care, education, human services,...

A report describing the experiences of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who worked in New Orleans between August 2005 and May 2006 - before, during, and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In …

A website presenting the Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL), a center that conducts a wide range of research, training, and technical assistance and dissemination projects...

A brief summarizing the report, You Know that it's Got to be Dedication that I am Still Here: The Experiences of Direct Support Professionals During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the Aftermath …

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) exploring person-centered practices. This issue of Frontline Initiative brought together voices on what has been happening in this work …

A report describing the status of, and trends in, long-term supports and services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the U.S. on June 30, 2014. It is based on an annual …

A documentary film telling the stories of some of the heroic Direct Support Professionals from New Orleans who, despite long hours, low pay, and tremendous stress and trauma, continued to provide...

An issue in the Impact series that discusses unique and serious challenges people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities often face with the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

A brief describing how self-directed long-term services and supports (LTSS) are currently implemented in the United States. Self-direction provides individuals with intellectual and/or...

A health promotion curriculum that addresses the unique learning needs of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) who require ongoing daily supports, have limited readings...

A newsletter issue for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) encouraging the people they support to exercise choice, direction, and control over their lives. DSPs also support people who have …

A report describing the status of, and trends in, long-term supports and services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the U.S. on June 30, 2015. It is based on an annual...

A companion webinar to the Frontline Initiative issue titled, "Choice, Direction, and Control" . Host John Raffaele, Director of...

A brief examining how living arrangements and choice have changed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the past 10 years. Choice is an important component of self …

A report evaluating the use of the TYZE.com website by families who had teens and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. TYZE.com was evaluated for its usefulness in connecting …

A report presenting the results of the Family & Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey, launched in 2017 by ICI's Research and Training Center on Community Living in collaboration …

A brief providing a progress update on the Employment First field. Employment First identifies employment as the preferred outcome for people with disabilities and encourages those supporting …

An issue in the Impact series that discusses the Direct Support workforce and people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities. In the past 40 years, the U.S. has experienced a...

The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports survey (FINDS) surveys family members of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities about their experiences providing supports …

Ever wonder how many people in the United States have intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), how many of them get publicly funded supports from state IDD agencies, or where people …

The term polypharmacy refers to taking five or more medicines. Each state might define polypharmacy in different ways, including how many medicines a person must be taking to be considered overmedi…

Nearly three-quarters of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) who receive publicly funded support live at home with family members or in their own homes, this report from …

This Policy Forum discusses the recent Policy Research Brief titled, " Wage Compression among Direct Support Professionals. " Wednesday, January 26, 2022 Discussants: Michelle Murphy, The Arc Mid- …

The Research and Training Center on Community Living and Participation for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (RTC-CL) at the University of Minnesota has engaged in research, …

This issue in the Impact series focuses on inclusive higher education. The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 appropriated federal funds that supported model demonstration projects to create …

Employment & IDD lifts up National Disability Employment Awareness Month as a time to insist on more and better services to support people with disabilities to get and keep competitive jobs …

An issue in the Impact series that looks at crisis management for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, following a year of global pandemic, natural disasters, and social unrest …

What, exactly, is cultural competence in a research context? How do people with disabilities from historically marginalized communities learn about job opportunities and how can we get information …

This issue is on direct support professionals (DSPs) supporting people’s employment. Many people with disabilities experience barriers in getting the job they want. This can be discouraging. This …

This Policy Forum from February 14, 2023 discussed the Policy Research Brief titled, Overrepresentation of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Moving Between Large State-run …

The U.S. Department of Education defines physical restraints as a restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability to move torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Because of the inherent dangers of …

The Transition to Retirement (TTR) book/eBook and video (Stancliffe et al., 2013; hereafter the TTR manual ) is an evidence-based Australian manual describing how to successfully implement the TTR …

Impact celebrates 35 years as a research-to-practice guide for the field of intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities. This issue in the Impact series features Amy Hewitt, director of …

An issue in the Impact series that examines K-8 inclusive education. Historically, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities were often taught only functional skills in our K-12 …

Direct support professionals (DSPs) have been through a lot this past year. Through a global pandemic, natural disasters, social unrest, and personal distress, they’ve stepped up as they always do …

This Policy Forum from June 23, 2022 discusses the recent Policy Research Brief titled, Are Large Institutions for People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities a Thing of the Past? …

This issue of Frontline Initiative is about making a career in direct support. Direct support professionals (DSPs) report on why and how they have accomplished this. People supported and their …

An issue in the Impact series exploring careers in the arts for people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities. Authors review the history of art centers and their changing future …

Technology has greatly impacted our lives and culture in recent years. For direct support professionals (DSPs), the use of technology at work has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. DSPs can …

An issue in the Impact series that focuses on the brothers and sisters of children, teens, and adults with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities (IDD) – what we know about them, …

Mainstream media does not use consistent language to talk about the role of direct support workers. This inconsistency makes it difficult to communicate the value and complexity of the direct …

This Policy Forum, held on November 13, 2024, discusses the recent Policy Research Brief titled, Access and Unmet Needs for Technology for People with IDD: Results from FINDS Survey. Discussants …

A report describing a study that aimed to gauge the workforce development issues for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in the state of New York through multi-method analysis. The 2014 New York...

Ever wonder how many people in the United States have intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), how many of them get publicly-funded supports from state IDD agencies, or where people …

This Policy Forum addresses work life and wage augmentation in the direct support workforce, revealed in a survey of approximately 9,000 DSPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Policy Forum from November 1, 2022 discusses the recent Policy Research Brief titled, Most People with IDD Getting Long-term Supports Live with a Family Member . Slides from the presentation …

An issue in the Impact series exploring retirement, aging, and end-of-life decisions for people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities. These considerations are becoming more...

An issue in the Impact series that looks at the Self-Advocacy Movement today, at its history and its shared history with the Civil Rights Movement, how people with disabilities are lifting their …

This issue explores diverse and lesser-heard voices among direct support professionals. Authors include DSPs who are autistic, Deaf, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and immigrants…

Self-direction allows people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to control most aspects of their home- and community-based services. Other names that states use for self- …

“Invaluable: The Unrecognized Profession of Direct Support” is a documentary film exploring the underappreciated and underfunded work of direct support professionals (DSPs), the people who support …

Medicaid requires states to provide institutional services to eligible Medicaid recipients, but allows states to have waiting lists for recipients preferring home and community based services. …

This Policy Forum from October 3, 2023 discussed the Policy Research Brief titled, Institutional Bias in Long-Term Services and Supports for People with IDD . Slides from the presentation are …

This issue of Frontline Initiative focuses on developing awareness, knowledge, and skills for supporting healthy relationships. It also includes information about tools and resources that direct...

This issue in the Impact series addresses current roadblocks preventing people with intellectual, development, and other disabilities from living self-determined lives when it comes to their …

These comparative analyses of existing organizational direct support professional and frontline supervisor credentialing programs summarize seven programs in New York. The goals of these programs …

Low wages are a major factor contributing to the direct support workforce crisis. This recording of the Policy Forum held on April 6, 2022 discusses the recent Policy Research Brief , which …

The pandemic brought direct support professionals’ role of supporting peoples’ health and wellness to the forefront. DSPs had to slow down, take more precautions, and learn new ways to maintain …

Addiction & IDD calls attention to the disparities people with disabilities live with if they also have substance use disorder or problems with gambling, video games, excessive sugar consumption …

This Policy Forum addresses low wages and racial disparities in the direct support workforce, revealed in a survey of approximately 9,000 DSPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This issue explores what disability justice means for people with intellectual, developmental, or other disabilities and puts that in the context of the broader Disability Rights Movement. Authors …

This Policy Forum addresses predictors of annual turnover among direct support professionals, using data from the National Core Indicators (NCI) Staff Stability Survey.

Assistive technology helps people in daily activities, such as text-to-speech software for communication, transition planning software, and virtual reality for learning job and interview skills. …

Ever wonder how many people in the United States have IDD or what proportion of them received federal- or state-funded supports? The 2020 report from the Residential Information Systems Project …

This Policy Forum, held on September 12, 2024, discusses the recent Policy Research Brief titled, The Unrestrained Use of Physical Restraints in Schools . Discussants include Anna Heinzerling, …