Our Work

NADSP strives to elevate the status of direct support professionals

Vision

A future where Direct Support Professionals are valued as essential professionals and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are empowered to live, work, and thrive in their home communities with dignity, inclusion, and self-direction.

Mission

The NADSP Foundation advances the professionalism and leadership of Direct Support Professionals through education, credentialing, scholarships, workforce development, and partnerships with self-advocates, families, provider organizations, professional associations, community partners, and businesses that support the aspirations of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live and work in their home communities.

Values

The NADSP Foundation values the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life through the provision of person-centered supports. We believe that high quality support requires all professionals to follow the individual path suggested by the unique gifts, preferences, and needs of each person they support, and to walk in partnership with the person, and those who love him or her, toward a life of opportunity, well-being, freedom, and contribution.

Operating Principles

The NADSP Foundation is guided by a belief that:

  • All direct support professionals benefit from access to well-constructed educational experiences (e.g., in-service training, continuing and higher education) and lifelong learning;
  • Certifying highly qualified workers incentivizes continuing education, increased compensation, and access to career pathways for direct support professionals thereby improving retention;
  • Values and ethical decision making can be learned and infused into daily practice; and
  • Strengthening relationships and partnerships between direct support professionals, self-advocates, and other consumer groups and families improves the quality of support.