Research and Leadership Briefs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This month’s Research Brief examines how disability service organizations prioritize and implement practices that support and engage their staff. Using data from 1,171 professionals across five organizational levels, the findings highlight a consistent gap between stated priorities and actual practices, especially in areas like staff participation in financial decision-making and access to comprehensive training and support. The results point to opportunities for organizations to strengthen alignment between values and implementation, fostering workplace cultures that recognize, include, and invest in all employees.

We know that leaders work hard to better themselves and build their organizations, but we also know that disability leaders can promote wider systems and societal changes through their work. Before they arrive at the Leadership Institute training, we ask participants about how much they think they contribute to society in their roles on our Pre-Leadership Institute Survey. Discover what the 197 participants from the last three years of Leadership Institutes thought about their societal contributions in our latest September Research Brief.

The August Research Brief explores how disability service organizations prioritize and implement stakeholder input in governance, using data from 1,171 professionals across roles. Findings show strong alignment on values like Approachable Leadership and Values Built into Operating Materials, but consistent gaps between priorities and practices, especially in Participation in Governance and Stakeholder Input, highlighting opportunities to strengthen decision-making involvement for people with disabilities. Addressing these differences is key to creating systems where stakeholders are fully included and organizational practices reflect stated commitments. Download the August Research Brief to explore the full findings and insights.