10/19/2026
DSPs are the frontline workers who support people with I/DD to live, work and participate in their communities as independently as possible. The supports they offer are varied, person centered, and tailored to the individual needs of the person being supported. For example, DSPs often assist people with activities of daily living, finding and maintaining employment, participating in community events, accessing transportation, and communicating their needs and preferences.
DSPs are much more than caregivers; they are the primary reason that so many people with disabilities can avoid unnecessary institutionalization, maintain independence and participate fully in community life. Unfortunately, DSP staffing shortages, which have reached a crisis level, threaten to take this crucial support and tool away from so many.
In summer 2026, ANCOR surveyed disability service providers across all 50 states and the District of Columbia to ascertain how the workforce crisis has impacted their ability to continue meeting the needs of people with I/DD. With 85% of survey respondents reporting moderate or severe staffing challenges in the past year, the subsequent impacts upon access and availability are significant.
To review the full report visit:
The State of America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis explores challenges and highlights the resulting impacts upon the direct support workforce and the continued ability of people with I/DD to access the services they require to live and thrive within their homes and communities.
