From Passion to Profession
Self-motivated DSPs see credentials as opportunity to grow
Conor Ziemendorf knows what it feels like to be singled out for having a disability.
Conor was a special education student from first through seventh grade.
“There is an overall lack of general autonomy that is given to [people with disabilities],” said Conor, now 20. “That lack of autonomy really does bar people from being able to learn how to be self-sufficient,” he said.
Conor’s childhood experiences motivated him to begin his career supporting people with disabilities. Now a community integration specialist at Ithaca Day Hab, he is eager to learn more in order to do his job better.
Conor is one of ten Unity House staff members participating in the direct support professional credentialing program at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). The free, three-tiered program empowers direct support professionals by teaching best practices in caregiving. Unity House staff receive a pay boost and additional stipends when they earn the credential.
Conor said the training is giving him tools he can use to foster greater autonomy among the people he supports.
“We can advocate for the proper treatment necessary so that everyone can have equitable access to resources and job opportunities and just have overall wellbeing,” he said.
Program Manager Ryan Wilcox said the credentialing reinforces Conor’s person-centered attitude.
“Conor really values digging down and getting to know a person’s likes and dislikes, what they care about, what their home life is like,” Ryan said. “He wants the 360-degree picture, which is really cool.”
Conor said he is committed to achieving all three tiers of DSP credentialing.
“I’d like to continue providing direct support for the rest of my life,” he said. “This has been the best, most rewarding job I’ve ever had.”