Research Portfolio

Current & Upcoming Research

We’re helping leaders rely on more than instincts, guts, and feelings.

The most effective leaders use research and data to inform decisions, strategy, and action. NLCDD conducts several research and evaluation projects each year, focused on getting up-to-date data and information in the hands of IDD field leaders who need it most.

NLCDD research provides context, helping leaders understand if their challenges are unique or part of growing field trends.
NLCDD research guides direction, ensuring leaders adopt strategies that are informed by people most impacted by their decisions.
NLCDD research disrupts stagnancy, showing leaders the innovations and practices that keep our field moving forward.

Grounded in sound methodology and dedicated to driving action and progress, NLCDD research provides leaders with solid data and evidence-informed strategies they can trust.

Excellence in inclusive research and evaluation design

We’ve built a reputation for excellence in co-creating and conducting research with the people most impacted by the area of study; this almost always includes partnering with people with IDD throughout the research or evaluation process.

Our team of researchers has deep knowledge and expertise in designing and conducting research at the organizational, state, and national levels. Our strong network gives us access to key informants across a variety of areas who advise, partner with, and participate alongside us.

Whether we receive funding to understand a systems challenge or subcontract on a project led by people with IDD, we bring our expertise in research and evaluation design, and follow the lead of our research partners with lived experience and professional expertise.

Think we can support your project, idea, or funding priority? Send us a message here.

Current and Upcoming Research Projects

State of IDD Field Leadership: Longitudinal Study of Impact

Focus: This study explores the trajectory of IDD field leaders and how NLCDD programs impact leaders’ growth and direction.

Approach: A mixed-methods, longitudinal study using a 20-year survey of Leadership Institute alumni designed to follow the paths of field leaders right before, directly after, and for years after they attend the Leadership Institute.

How Leaders Can Use this Data: Understanding how leaders are advancing their careers, navigating challenges, and driving change gives leaders like you a concrete benchmark for shaping your own leadership path. This research provides actionable insights to help refine strategies, make informed decisions, and lead more effectively – strengthening impact on human rights, dignity, and inclusion across the disability service sector.

How to Get Involved: When you attend the Leadership Institute, you are automatically enrolled in this study! We’ll reach out with opportunities to share your input, evaluate your experiences, and inform the field about leadership across the IDD system.

Read the Research Brief

The Organizational Priorities and Practices Inventory

Focus: This assessment looks at the alignment between an organization’s values and actions in six areas of organizational practice that are critical to disability field organizations.

Approach: A quantitative assessment of organizational priorities and practices, from the perspectives of leaders working in a range of roles and positions in disability sector organizations.

How Leaders Can Use this Data: Evaluating how your organization’s priorities align with day-to-day practices, through the perspectives of employees at every level, provides leaders with critical, actionable insight. OPPI data helps you identify what is working, pinpoint where change is needed, and understand gaps you may not see from your position. This enables you to make more targeted decisions, strengthen alignment across teams, and drive meaningful organizational improvement.

The study also gives you a clear view of sector-wide trends, showing how peer organizations are advancing autonomy, inclusion, and sustainability. These insights help you benchmark your progress, identify proven approaches, and take more informed action to increase your organization’s long-term impact.

How to Get Involved: You can find more details about how the OPPI can help your organization here.

Read the Research Brief

Come back to see opportunities to get involved in future research!

Have a research question or project you’d like NLCDD’s help with?

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