More than 400 disability advocates, caregivers, and service providers gathered this week in East Syracuse to share a simple but urgent message for lawmakers: invest in the people who make community living possible. The rally, organized by ARC of Onondaga and AccessCNY, urged New York state leaders to increase funding for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in the upcoming budget. According to Spectrum Local News 1, advocates are seeking a 2.7% increase to help stabilize a workforce that many say is in crisis.
The rally highlighted a significant contradiction. DSPs perform essential work, helping people dress, cook, and bathe. Yet, four in five earn less than $20 an hour. Even more concerning, about half report facing food insecurity. In one of the wealthiest states in the country, the very workers supporting some of the most vulnerable residents struggle to make ends meet.
The call for change comes as lawmakers in Albany negotiate New York’s next state budget, which is due by March 31. For advocates, this is not just a policy debate; it is about sustainability. Low wages have led to chronic staffing shortages, high turnover, and burnout. Disabled people worry about continuity of care, and providers are concerned about whether they can maintain their programs.
What is happening in Central New York is not an isolated case. Across the country, disability service providers are raising similar concerns. Service providers rely heavily on Medicaid funding and state budget decisions. As inflation increases nationwide, housing, transportation, and food costs are rising, while wages have not kept pace. The result is a fragile workforce stretched thin from California to Florida.
National wage data shows how serious the issue is. In the United States, the median yearly salary for home health and personal care aides was $34,900 in May 2024. In many states, these wages are below what economists consider a living wage, especially as housing and transportation costs keep rising. This gap between the complexity of the work and the pay makes it harder for providers to recruit and keep staff, fueling the same cycle of vacancies and burnout seen in New York.
This national trend reveals a broader tension in American public policy. While disability rights have made significant progress since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, funding for the workforce that enables inclusion has not kept up. The promise of community living depends not just on legal protections but also on adequate investment. Without competitive wages and stable staffing, the system risks sliding back into institutional models or forcing families to cover gaps on their own.
Advocates at the rally stressed that they are not asking for a luxury — they are asking for fairness and recognition. Many DSPs view their work as a calling, but dedication alone cannot change economic realities. When employees cannot afford rent or groceries, retaining staff becomes nearly impossible. That instability impacts people who rely on regular support.
The debate happening in New York mirrors discussions taking place in statehouses nationwide: How do we value care work? What does it mean to prioritize inclusion in budget terms? And are we willing to match funding with the ideals of dignity and independence?
As state budget deadlines approach, the voices raised in East Syracuse remind us that line items on a budget sheet directly affect real lives. Whether in New York or elsewhere in the United States, the sustainability of disability services relies on a simple truth: investing in caregivers is essential to supporting the people they serve.
Sources:
“Home Health and Personal Care Aides.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28 Aug. 2025, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-aides-and-personal-care-aides.htm.
Oldano, Tyler. “Disability Rally Gathers Support for Caretakers and Asks for Budget Increase.” Spectrum Local News 1, Charter Communications, 27 Feb. 2026, https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2026/02/27/disability-rally-for-state-budget.