Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 13-19, 2026) is a great opportunity to highlight the dedicated, innovative direct support workforce that is the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. Your celebrations of the DSPs at the heart of our field are part of a nationwide party we throw every year to showcase the amazing and often unsung work of these incredible professionals and mark just a small fraction of the recognition that they deserve throughout the year.
DSP Recognition Week Store
Shop at the 2026 DSP Recognition Week Store, which offers you the opportunity to purchase deeply discounted items with the DSP Recognition Week branding so you can purchase small gifts for each of the DSPs with whom you work as a token of your appreciation.
In this year’s Store, you’ll find popular favorites such as T-shirts and bags, more varieties of popular items from previous years like tumblers and travel mugs, and a few new items including socks, new bags, and coolers! Placing your order by August 22 (August 20 for t-shirt orders) ensures that most items arrive before the start of DSP Recognition Week. To see specific delivery timelines, click ‘Delivery Information’ in the description of each item.
Download the high-resolution version of the logo with a transparent background. Use the logo in your marketing materials, on gifts you order in appreciation of DSPs and more. If you need help using this file or would like to request other versions of the logo, please contact André Floyd.
Use these sample social media messages as-is, or customize them to make them specific to the DSPs you want to recognize during DSP Recognition Week 2026, in your efforts to raise awareness about this important campaign. Whenever talking about DSP recognition on social media, use #DSPRW2026 so we can follow the conversation and amplify your message!
Ideas for Recognizing the DSPs Making a Difference in Your Community
Looking for creative ideas for celebrating DSP Recognition Week? Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing!
Collect 30-second videos from the individuals you support, their family members, your other colleagues and more with messages about the difference your agency’s DSPs are making in the lives of the people they support.
Put together a gift bag for each DSP at your agency that includes their favorite candy, a small gift card and one or two items from the 2026 DSP Recognition Week Store. Then, assemble a team to deliver gift bags to places where your DSPs work.
Host a virtual party and/or happy hour for your organization’s DSPs! Assemble family members, coworkers and friends for a virtual chat and an opportunity to for those who love them to hear how valued they are. Also, spice it up by telling funny stories about the DSP and/or putting together a small game of trivia!
Reach out to your mayor and ask that they issue a proclamation declaring September 13-19, 2026, as DSP Recognition Week in your town or city. Then, ask the mayor to record a short ‘thank you’ message to share with DSPs who make community inclusion a reality every day.
Share Your Celebrations!
Have something planned to celebrate DSP Recognition Week 2026? We want to know about it so we can amplify your celebration! Let us know what you’ve got in store for your DSPs this year by emailing André Floyd, ANCOR’s Senior Communications Manager.
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