Your elected officials need to hear directly from YOU so they can understand how Direct Support Professionals impact your daily life.
The Role of Direct Support Professionals
Every day across the nation, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are working to provide supports and services to people with disabilities of all ages. DSPs are skilled professionals that support people with disabilities to live, work, and play in their communities. DSPs may assist people with disabilities in daily living activities, employment assistance, community involvement, and independent living. DSPs are a vital part of many people's lives, but the DSP workforce currently faces numerous challenges.
What are some current issues facing DSPs?
The DSP workforce faces numerous challenges, including high turnover, workforce shortages, and an absence of education and certification opportunities. Low pay, long hours, limited benefits and career growth pathways also factor into the current workforce shortage.
The DSP shortage is expected to worsen due to increased life expectancy and Michigan's population aging as a whole. If no solution is achieved, then thousands of people with disabilities and seniors will be without the supports and services they need to live independent, fulfilling lives.
Why Your Voice Matters
For people with disabilities in Michigan, DSPs provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to be more involved in their communities, age in place and live independently. Policymakers benefit from understanding the essential role DSPs have in your life and the challenges families face when there are staffing shortages. By sharing your lived experiences, you can educate your elected officials and help them learn how a strong, stable DSP workforce would impact your daily life.
Take Action: Educate Your Elected Officials
Act now to educate your elected officials about your experience with DSPs and why they are important to you and your community! Here's how:
✍️ Use this form to write a message to their office.
📞 Call their district offices.
🏦 Attend a town hall or community event they are hosting.
📣 Encourage your friends, family members, and allies to contact Congress.
Your Voice Can Make a Difference
Lawmakers need to hear directly from people who have lived experience. By speaking up, you are making sure your legislators hear from people who are directly affected by the laws they vote on. Don't wait - take action today!
Additional Resources
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)
Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute Empowerment Education Training Initiative
Share your lived experience to educate your lawmakers about Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and their impact on your life.
- Share your own experiences with DSPs. Use real-life examples.
- Make your message direct and use clear, easy-to-understand language.
- Stay Positive and Respectful!
Sample Message:
My name is [Your Name] and I live in [City]. I am your constituent and I want to share how Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) have impacted my life. DSPs are important to me because [Share how DSPs currently impact your daily life].
Without DSPs, my life would be changed because [Share how your life would be different without DSPs].
Thank you for your time. I sincerely hope you will consider my lived experience with Direct Support Professionals before making any decisions that would change how DSPs provide supports and services to people like me.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]