What is a Direct Support Professional?

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a professional who assists people with disabilities in a variety of ways. The support DSPs provide depends on the situation, needs, and goals of the person they support, but can include helping with transportation, facilitating community interactions, coordinating health care services, seeking employment, learning new skills, maintaining a home, and helping with daily activities. By providing these supports, and many more, DSPs play a major role in lives of people with disabilities.