News

August 21, 2025 (Silver Spring, MD)

Media Contact: Zach Gordon, zgordon@aaidd.og

The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is proud to announce the release of two new publications:

Direct Support Workforce Solutions: A Guidebook of Strategies for Individual and Collective Action Toward Workforce Stability, is co-edited by Amy S. Hewitt and Susan O’Nell of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration. This is a guidebook that addresses the critical issues affecting the direct support workforce (DSPs), and providers supporting community living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. An indispensable resource for anyone engaged with DSPs at any level, this book thoroughly covers key topics, including using data, collaborating, recruiting and retaining staff, training competencies, credentialing, using technology, and supporting health and wellness for a sustainable workforce. This book contains tips, stories of DSPs, profiles of providers, and resources that illustrate how to implement change at an organization or systems level.

Promoting Self-Determination: Building Community Supports, is co-authored by Karrie A. Shogren and Evan E. Dean of the Kansas University Center on Disabilities. This book explains the concept of self-determination for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and explores the factors that support and create barriers to self-determination for them. Perfect for anyone working on disability topics or with people with disabilities, this book details the concept and practice of self-determination from many angles, sheds light on the ways that systemic factors can hinder self-determination,and explains how individuals and communities can overcome these factors. This book also includes pieces written by people with disabilities and resources to help readers become better allies and build community supports for self-determination.

Both books are available now from the AAIDD Bookstore at aaidd.org. For a limited time, a free coordinating bookmark is included with purchase. AAIDD members get 15% off all orders from the AAIDD Bookstore, and bulk pricing is available for orders of 10 or more than copies of a single title.

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Founded in 1876, AAIDD is the oldest professional association concerned with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more about the organization at www.aaidd.org.