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The National Leadership Consortium often conducts national and regional research for grant funded projects which result in reports packed with information aimed at advancing the rights, services, and supports for people with disabilities. Read our research about the important topics of self-directed services and supports, future financial planning for people with disabilities, and more in our reports.

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  • June 2026 Research Brief: Stronger Organizations, Stronger Human Rights

     Published: June 2, 2026
    This research brief examines the relationship between organizational performance and human rights in disability service organizations. Findings from 383 disability professionals show that organizations with stronger leadership, employee participation, and DEI practices also report stronger implementation of self-determination, community inclusion, and stakeholder participation.
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  • June 2026 Leadership Brief: Lead More Persuasively to Get Buy in for Your Best Ideas

     Published: June 1, 2026
    The June 2026 Leadership Brief explores how effective leaders move beyond data to inspire real buy-in—using storytelling, emotional connection, and tailored messaging to influence decisions. It breaks down practical strategies for understanding your audience, sharpening your message, and delivering it with clarity and confidence. Whether persuading teams, boards, or stakeholders, this brief equips you with actionable tools to communicate ideas that stick and drive meaningful change.
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  • May 2026 Research Brief: Leadership Development Strengthens Teams and Creates Organizational Cohesion!

     Published: May 1, 2026
    Developing the leadership strengths and skills of DSPs and frontline leaders improves communication, follow through, and interpersonal skills throughout organizations, resulting in organizational improvements such as better teamwork and higher quality services for people with disabilities they support. Find out more about the organizational impact of our LEAD training on DSPs and frontline leaders in this Research Brief.
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  • Bulletin 18: Leading Across Identities

     Published: April 1, 2026
    This issue of the NLCDD Bulletin explores what it means to lead beyond the disability service system in this time of increasing complexity, pressure, and potential opportunity. Across the articles, authors invite readers to look beyond traditional service boundaries and consider how safety, belonging, workforce stability, and whole-life outcomes are shaped not only by programs, but by relationships, policies, and leadership choices.
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  • April 2026 Research Brief: Advancing Equity in Practice

     Published: April 1, 2026
    Advancing equity in disability services requires more than strong commitment, it depends on how well organizations translate DEI priorities into consistent, everyday practice. This Research Brief explores how professionals across the field are prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and where gaps in implementation remain. Learn how strengthening workforce diversity, training, and evaluation systems can support more equitable and effective services for people with IDD.
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  • March 2026 Research Brief: Leadership Development Reignites Passion and Fuels Stronger, More Confident Frontline Leaders!

     Published: March 1, 2026
    Developing the leadership strengths and skills of DSPs and frontline leaders increases self-confidence, lasting professional connections, and critical knowledge needs to advance services for people with IDD. Find out more about the personal impact of our LEAD training on DSPs and frontline leaders in this Research Brief.
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  • Bulletin 17: Leading Beyond the Disability System (January, 2026)

     Published: January 17, 2026
    This issue of the NLCDD Bulletin explores what it means to lead beyond the disability service system in this time of increasing complexity, pressure, and potential opportunity. Across the articles, authors invite readers to look beyond traditional service boundaries and consider how safety, belonging, workforce stability, and whole-life outcomes are shaped not only by programs, but by relationships, policies, and leadership choices.
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    Bulletin 17: Leading Beyond the Disability System (January

  • January 2026 Research Brief: Exploring the Implementation Gap: Leadership Strength and Development

     Published: January 1, 2026
    The January Research Brief examines how leadership priorities translate into day-to-day practice within disability service organizations. Drawing on OPPI data from 1,171 professionals nationwide, the brief highlights strong alignment around ethical and values-driven leadership, alongside persistent gaps in leadership development, succession, and implementation. The findings point to critical opportunities for strengthening sustainable leadership capacity across organizational levels.
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  • November 2025 Research Brief: How Leadership Training Contributes to Organizational Change

     Published: November 1, 2025
    The NLCDD Leadership Institute has always worked to strengthen individual leadership skills, confidence, and connections — but the impact doesn’t stop there. Leaders are using what they learn to spark organizational and systems-level change across the country. A few years ago, we began asking graduates what changed in their organizations after attending the Institute. Find out what graduates had to say about the impact of the training in this Research Brief.
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  • Bulletin 16: Leading Innovation Through Technology in Disability Services (October 2025)

     Published: October 16, 2025
    This issue of the Bulletin explores the opportunities and complexities that come with using technology in the disability service sector, digging into the ethical responsibility of using tech to enable people using supports, rather than control, coerce, or circumvent them. Authors highlight the wonderful things that come with using technology, such as increasing autonomy and control that people have in their lives, and warn about the challenges that come with using technology in place of people.
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    Bulletin 16: Leading Innovation Through Technology in Disability Services (October 2025)