NADSP Web Site

Policy Initiatives

Collaborative Initiative
SANYS “Walk in Support of Direct Support Professionals”
On September 13th, 2009, the Self Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) held a “Walk in Support of Direct Support Professionals.” The self advocates planned, organized, created the slogans for the signs, painted the signs (with support) and invited the Direct Support Professional Alliance of New York State (DSPANYS)to join them as their guests and begin an advocacy partnership in New York that promotes valued lives for people with disabilities, while advancing the profession of direct support.
Chapter Initiative - New York (DSPANYS)
DSPANYS Budget Testimony
On January 29th, Theresa Laws a Direct Support Professional from the Rensselaer County ARC, and a founder of DSPANYS, provided testimony to the joint New York State Senate & Assembly Finance Committees. For the first time ever, legislators heard directly from a direct support professional in regard to budget and policy issues in a public forum. View/Download a copy of the testimony (PDF)
Chapter Initiatives - Minnesota (DSPAM)
DSPAM PCA Testimony
Bridget Siljander, President of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota (DSPAM) testified before the Minnesota legislature about legislation and budget recommendations affecting PCAs. Read her testimony in the following documents:
Testimony supporting a PCA training bill (PDF)
Testimony opposing proposed budget cuts to PCA services (PDF)
NADSP Initiative
Support HR 868
NADSP supports HR 868 the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2007. Authored by representatives Lois Capps and Lee Terry this bill amending Social Security Act looks to provide pay equity for community based direct support professionals through wage enhancement plans. Go to the Take Action tab on the right hand side of this page and add your voice to this important effort!
Collaborative Initiative
DSP Recognition Week
NADSP in collaboration with the You Need to Know Me campaign, Announces DSP Recognition Week. Mark your calendar for the week of September 14th through 18th, 2009 and celebrate the work of the DSP. In addition check out the Governor's Proclamations supporting the celebration at the state level. Then take action by contacting your Governor's office and letting them know that you want to celebrate the DSP in your state. They will likely guide you through your state process for making a proclamation happen. Finally, let us know how it goes at policy@nadsp.org.
Committee Information
Advocacy and Legislation Committee Call
The NADSP Advocacy committee is looking for DSPs, Front Line Supervisors (FLS) and allies to participate in our grass roots advocacy work. We need you to be part of our effort to change policy on the national level. As a committee member you will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, reach out to people around our issues, drive the NADSP policy agenda for the future and just have fun working with great people. Making a difference in the lives of direct support professionals and the people we serve is our goal. For more information or to get involved contact policy@nadsp.org
Take Action
Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2009
Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) have introduced H.R.868, the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2009, known in the previous Congress as H.R.1279. Like the previous bill, H.R.868 helps address the workforce crisis by giving states a much-needed option to secure additional federal dollars for the direct support workforce.
We need you to take action!!
Please contact your representative and either request their support or thank them for being a co-sponsor!!
  • Step 1: Click on the following link and use the zip code search tool in the upper left corner of the page to find contact information for your policy maker. http://www.house.gov/
  • Step 2: Find out if your representative is already a co sponsor, read the bill, and check on its status follow the link http://www.thomas.gov/ and search the data base by bill number H.R.868. Then click on the desired link.
  • Step 3: Then let us know you took action, e-mail us at policy@nadsp.org

State Chapter Policy Papers