For National Direct Support Recognition Week: Direct support professionals, or DSPs, assist people with disabilities with tasks that allow them to live independently.
The pay rate of DSPs is set by the state government, and while New York State's 2024-2025 budget included a small wage increase for DSPs – the first in a decade – this fell short of the rate advocates were requesting.
Guest host Sarah Abbamonte leads a discussion about the current state of the profession: how to address current staffing shortages; the intimacy of care; how provider turnover impacts those using DSP services; and more.
Our guests:
- Karen Zandi, president and CEO of Mary Cariola Center
- Bob McComber, direct support professional at Mary Cariola's Bailey Road residence
- David Irish, board member for the Arc of Monroe, and parent
- Kim Acito, manager of the Lambert Day Services Program at the Arc of Monroe
This story is reported from WXXI’s Inclusion Desk.
To access a transcript of this discussion, please click here.
*To request transcripts of other episodes of "Connections with Evan Dawson," please email our Move to Include team with the day and time (noon or 1 pm) of the broadcast.
