Frontline Initiative: DSPs Using the NADSP Code of Ethics
Direct Course Connect: DSPs Using the Code of Ethics in Day-to-Day Work
College of Direct Support
Direct support professionals (DSPs) may not expect to face ethical issues in their work. However, understanding ethics is part of the DSP role. For example, DSPs must know how to balance choice and risk. You are also expected to support people’s expression of rights. DSPs have a responsibility to provide both effective and ethical supports. Content from the College of Direct Support (CDS) can help DSPs think about the role of ethics in their day-to-day work. Below is a small sample of CDS lessons that could be useful to DSPs.
Direct Support Professionalism: Applying Ethics in Everyday Work
DSPs must contemplate and resolve ethical dilemmas as part of your job. In this lesson, DSPs will explore ethics in the context of person-centered supports. You will learn how to use the NADSP Code of Ethics to support your work. This lesson could help learners earn the NADSP E-Badge for Ethics Roadmap.
Individual Rights and Choice: Your Role in Supporting Expression of Rights and Facilitating Choice
As a DSP, you are expected to facilitate choice. You may need to support people with expressing their rights. This lesson will teach you skills to explore possible ethical questions that may be raised as a result. This lesson could help learners earn the NADSP E-Badge for Self-Advocate Ally.
Maltreatment: Prevention and Response: The Ethical Role of the DSP
Maltreatment laws tell DSPs what their legal obligations are. Ethics are useful for situations without clear right or wrong answers. This lesson explores ethics in practice in the DSP role.
This lesson could help learners earn the NADSP E-Badge for Ethics Roadmap.
Safety: Balancing Risk with Individual Safety and Choice
Balancing freedom of choice and reasonable risk are both part of the DSP role. This lesson helps DSPs learn how to balance these in ethical ways that promote personal choice and expression. This lesson could help learners earn the NADSP E-Badge for Advocate With.