On the Leading Edge: Creating a Respected Direct Support Profession in
India FOUNDATIONS OF DIRECT SUPPORT : NATIONAL TRAINING FOR DIRECT SUPPORT PRACTITIONERS (A TRAINING FOR MASTER TRAINERS)
A comprehensive leadership training program to develop competent Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who work alongside people with intellectual & developmental disabilities to help them realize their full potential
As your leading-edge organization well knows, KII has developed a 15-module curriculum that is a combination of theory and practicum, to provide a high-quality direct support preparation program. It is intended for promising supervisors as well as direct workers in special schools, vocational programs, recreational programs, day centres, residential programs and employment spaces.
After the graduation of three cadres of fully credentialed and certified Master Trainers between 2022 & 2025, we are now ready to launch the fourth offering of the Foundations of Direct Support: National Training for Direct Support Practitioners - A Training for Master Trainers.
Many committed parents and professionals have contributed their knowhow and expertise and helped develop these modules This train-the-trainer course will be offered in a hybrid format - a mix of virtual and face-to-face sessions - over a period of 8 months.
You will provide:
Two or three seasoned staff from your organization to attend the Core Track of the Train the Trainer Course (May 25 to June 12: 10 online sessions, July 14 to 17: in-person practicum)
An organizational commitment to provide part or all of the program to at least some staff across time in prevalent language.
Assurance that all staff who start the program will complete the Core Track of the program.
Assurance that the materials will retain KII/RIST identification & authorship, and that only trained master trainers will provide the training.
Qualification Requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in special education/psychology/occupational therapy/speech and language pathology/social work/physiotherapy, or social sciences like disability studies
A professional with experience of working with people with intellectual & developmental disabilities for 3-5 years.
A caregiver with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any subject with relevant professional work experience of 5 years minimum.
Additional Requirements:
Commitment to inclusive practices
Excellent proficiency in English (both speaking and writing skills are important)
Proficiency in any Indian language would be an added benefit.
The person should have prior experience of conducting trainings/workshops in the last 3 years
Keystone Institute India will provide:
Instruction and coaching on how to train the course modules.
Trainer materials in the form of a trainer manual, presentations and additional resources.
Coverage of travel-and-stay for the multi day program. (limited travel subsidies available)
Ongoing assistance and support for trainers.
Multi-language versions of materials
Certificates as master trainers of the curriculum to all who complete the course successfully.
Historically, supporting people with intellectual & developmental disabilities to live full, meaningful lives with informed choices, has not always been honored.
Direct service staff were often expected to be passive caretakers since individuals with disabilities were mostly not seen beyond their disability, their disability was seen as life defining We are introducing a comprehensive training course intended to change these traditional ways of thinking and to create highly competent and sensitive direct support professionals who can support people with disabilities to lead full, meaningful lives.
Creating a valued and respected workforce of professionals who provide vital, complex, and very personal services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this training takes the first step towards stimulating recognition of direct support work as a professional occupation - a profession that those with the interest and commitment to work alongside people can aspire to
Grounded on principles of person-centred approaches and Social Role Valorization, the training seeks to develop a cadre of DSPs who support and empower people with disabilities to lead rich, valued, and independent lives.
May 25 - June 12, 2026
Module 1 : A Deeper Look at Disability
Module 2 : Understanding Direct Support Services
Module 3 : Code of Values & Ethics
Module 4 : Person-First Thinking
Module 5 : Social Role Valorization
Module 6 : Promoting Health and Wellbeing Part - 1
Module 7 : Community Membership
Module 8 : Family Collaboration
Module 9 : Advocacy and Activism
Module 10 : Taking Leadership
July 14 - 17, 2026
In Person Practicum (Module 1 - 10) : Delhi
Advanced Track Training
On-Request
Module 11 - 15 : Online, Zoom
Our Lead Faculty
Ms. Elizabeth “Betsy” Neuville
Serves the role as Executive Director of the Keystone Institute, a US-based educational Institute. She has well over 30 years of experience within Keystone Human Services as a human service worker, administrator, agency director, evaluator, educator, and personal advocate, as well as extensive experience in designing and developing supports for very vulnerable people, meaningful quality measurements, and extraordinary employee development programs.
For any queries, please contact:
Works as a Program
Special Projects with Keystone first exposure to the concept of Social Role Valorization occurred during a pre-conference workshop in Bangalore in 2018. Ever since, she has been actively involved with various programs conducted by KIi including training and evaluation. Her roles as a parent to a young autistic individual and that of a passionate advocate for communication inclusion expands her work across India.