by Joie Tyrrell Jun 4, 2026 Students in the DSP Pathways program joined special education students who run the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s coffee shop at Sanford H. Calhoun High School. Photo courtesy: Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Parents, advocates, educators, and leaders in the disability community applauded the state’s inaugural group of high…Read More…

BY Mark Goshgarian Chautauqua County PUBLISHED 8:40 AM ET Jun. 03, 2026 Robin Kestler has served as a direct support professional, or DSP, for more than 30 years at the Resource Center in Jamestown. “It’s rewarding because it makes me happy. It’s all about making sure people are taken care of,” Kestler said. What You Need To Know…Read More…

Nancy Cutler Rockland/Westchester Journal News May 15, 2026 NEW CITY – People with disabilities and the frontline direct care workers who support often struggle on the margins. Jawonio, which serves one group and employs the other, has launched a food pantry as one way to help. On May 14, the nonprofit opened the H.E.A.R.T. Food…Read More…

Published: Apr. 13, 2026, 4:52 p.m. By: Advance Local Express Desk Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced 30 awards totaling $25 million to expand health-care services across New York, including Staten Island, helping those with developmental disabilities and addressing longstanding barriers to comprehensive medical and dental care. The statewide initiative, part of Hochul’s 2025 State of…Read More…

By Ellen Gutmaker & Paul Joslyn | New York Disability Advocates | Published: Apr. 07, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Exterior view of the New York state Capitol and blooming tulip garden as legislative members work on passing legislation on Monday, May 8, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink) SYRSYR Ellen Gutmaker is the CEO of Arc of Onondaga. Paul…Read More…

by Bob Policastro Apr 1, 2026 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide life-sustaining care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex medical needs. For more than three decades, I have worked with families caring for medically fragile children and young adults. Many also live with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and rely on services,…Read More…

By Mike Alvaro | March 24, 2026 With just days remaining before New York’s April 1 budget deadline, state leaders face a clear choice. They can build on recent progress in stabilizing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), or risk losing ground. The most important step they can take is straightforward. Adopt a full 4%…Read More…

Caregivers are the difference between isolation and opportunity for New Yorkers with disabilities. Address their low wages, along with housing and child care, to stabilize this essential workforce.   By Michael Seereiter, For the Times Union March 24, 2026 Credit: Getty Images. FatCamera/Getty Images As lawmakers finalize New York’s budget, they face a choice that will…Read More…

Disability advocates urge lawmakers to boost pay for direct care workers Mar 17, 2026 ALBANY — Hundreds of advocates rallied at the New York State Capitol last week, calling on lawmakers to include a 4% targeted inflationary increase and CareForce affordability initiatives for Direct Support Professionals in this year’s state budget. The funding would provide…Read More…

By Mindy Cervoni and Jeff Paterson | Mar 9, 2026 When lake-effect snow buries our streets, schools close and travel bans are issued. Most of Buffalo hunkers down and waits out the storm. Direct support professionals (DSPs) don’t have that luxury. They report for duty in whiteout conditions, navigate unplowed roads and cannot get home…Read More…