Inclusive by Design.
Informed by Data.
What We Do
What we will achieve… together.
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More people with disabilities at the tables where decisions are made
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More policies that reflect the needs and interests of people with disabilities
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Improved educational options and outcomes for people with disabilities
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Increased jobs, earnings, and career advancement for people with disabilities
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Greater awareness of disability as a value-add to any organization and an integral part of equity, diversity, and fairness
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Increased disability leadership in practice across the globe at work, at school, and in communities
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Disability leadership at the systems and organizational levels
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Disability inclusion at every stage of production from design to implementation
As a respected leader and collaborator in the fields of disability and leadership development, Third Sight partners on a range of projects that center inclusion and change systems.
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Change the conversation. Understand inclusion in your organization — both in setting organizational goals and a creating your path to achieving greater inclusion.
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Be the leader you imagine. Identify your strengths as a leader and amplify the impact of your organization. Through individual and group leadership assessments, coaching, and training, we support leaders who change systems for good.
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Inform policy and practice through research. Evaluate your programs to understand effective policies and practices in workforce and education. Data analysis is both a process and an end goal — our team can help your staff to understand and use data for success.
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Engage with community. Engage directly and co-design with communities and individuals with disabilities from diverse communities to ensure that conversations and solutions are informed by people with a lived experience with disability.
Current and Past Projects.
Learn about some of Third Sight’s recent work in disability inclusion, policy, and evaluation.
Special Olympics Family Engagement Toolkit Evaluation Project
Third Sight partnered with Special Olympics North America (SONA) to bring families into the heart of Unified Champion Schools® (SOUCS®) programming through the creation of the SOUCS® Family Engagement Toolkit. This dynamic, practical guide was designed to help Special Olympics Program leaders and schools foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with families from all racial, linguistic, and economic backgrounds — including those of students with and without intellectual disabilities. At its core, the initiative strengthens family roles in advancing inclusive education and community engagement nationwide.
Our work spanned three years and followed a thoughtful, phased approach. In Year 1, we conducted a literature review, needs assessment, and gap analysis to shape the project’s direction. Year 2 focused on drafting and refining the toolkit, culminating in a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations. In Year 3, we supported real-world user testing and helped prepare the toolkit for national release — ensuring it is accessible, relevant, and ready to drive impact across the country.
Pathways to Careers: Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project
The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) launched the Pathways to Careers project to open new doors for people with disabilities — especially those historically left out of workforce systems. The initiative focuses on helping participants break into and advance within high-demand, skills-based fields like STEM, trades, and state government.
Third Sight is proud to support DARS in bringing this vision to life. We provide strategic guidance on implementation and deliver hands-on training to help staff leverage data as a powerful tool for driving equity, measuring impact, and ensuring long-term program success.
Real Pay for Real Jobs EPIC Evaluation
Virginia DARS is taking bold action to end the cycle of subminimum wage employment for people with disabilities through its innovative demonstration model: Real Pay for Real Jobs – Education, Partnerships, Individualized Services, Capacity-Building (RPRJ EPIC). This initiative is designed to create lasting pathways to competitive, integrated employment for individuals with complex disabilities— particularly those currently in, or at risk of entering, sub-minimum wage jobs.
In partnership with Northwestern University, Third Sight is leading the implementation evaluation of the EPIC model, tracking its effectiveness and impact. Our work supports DARS’s mission to “shut the door” on subminimum wage jobs and build a more equitable future—one where people with disabilities have real opportunities, real support, and real pay for real work.
National Council on Disability’s 2023 Progress Report
Third Sight collaborated with the National Disability Institute to research and co-author the National Council on Disability’s 2023 Progress Report: Toward Economic Security: The Impact of Income and Asset Limits on People with Disabilities. This landmark report examines how outdated income and asset limits embedded in public policy continue to trap people with disabilities in poverty and limit their financial independence.
As the late NCD Chair Andrés J. Gallegos powerfully stated, “The report makes note of the compounding economic challenges experienced by people with disabilities who live at the intersections of additionally marginalized identities and proposes solutions that attend to these unique needs.”
Through rigorous research and policy analysis, the report offers a roadmap for reform — advocating for more inclusive systems that support economic mobility, equity, and long-term financial security for all people with disabilities.
Clients and Partners.
We partner closely with a diverse range of leaders and organizations to drive meaningful change and foster inclusion.
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Systems-Level Leaders
Collaborating with national, international, and state leaders, we help design strategies and build capacity to implement large-scale change. -
Organizational Leaders
Working with businesses and institutions, we create awareness and develop processes that promote inclusive environments. -
Individual Leaders
Supporting leaders — both with and without disabilities — who prioritize inclusion in their work, helping them grow and lead effectively.
Publications.
Third Sight and its team members have contributed to decades of research, policy, and practical guides that have contributed to increased knowledge and understanding of disparities in education and workforce among people with and without disabilities.
Something EPIC is Happening in Virginia: Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities
Sub-minimum wage jobs have long trapped people with disabilities in low-paying, segregated work —limiting their career growth, independence, and full participation in community life. This outdated practice is a stark example of the ongoing discrimination faced by people with disabilities across the U.S.
Through a groundbreaking demonstration grant, the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services is actively transitioning individuals out of subminimum wage roles and stopping youth with disabilities from entering these segregated jobs in the first place.
In partnership with Northwestern University’s RISEI Lab, Third Sight has co-authored a policy brief that unpacks the history, challenges, and bold solutions driving this movement to end sub-minimum wage employment in Virginia once and for all.
Informing Policy in Somalia Through Inclusion of Youth with Disabilities
In partnership with the Somali Institute of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SISEND), we designed and conducted youth focus groups in the Benadir region to center the voices of youth with disabilities and their families in shaping national policy. These sessions highlighted barriers in education, healthcare, employment, and social inclusion, emphasizing the urgent need for accessible services and anti-discrimination efforts.
Drawing from these insights, the report recommends developing inclusive education systems, expanding vocational training and job opportunities, improving public accessibility, and creating ongoing channels for youth with disabilities to actively participate in policymaking. This work is a critical step toward a more inclusive Somalia where young people with disabilities are empowered to shape their own futures.
Evaluation of the AAPD Summer Internship Program
After 20 years of empowering interns, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) commissioned an evaluation that confirmed the program’s impact. Participants reported boosted self-confidence, stronger pride in their identity as people with disabilities, and expanded career opportunities. The evaluation also offered key recommendations to sustain and enhance the program moving forward.
To bring these insights to life, an engaging infographic was created to highlight the evaluation’s most important findings and celebrate the program’s success.
Serving All Consumers: Identifying Racial Disparities in the Vocational Rehabilitation System
Where do racial disparities show up in the nation’s largest workforce system? Serving All Consumers dives deep into every stage of the vocational rehabilitation process, uncovering barriers faced by people with disabilities from historically disadvantaged communities. The report highlights critical opportunities to improve equity and expand access — paving the way for a more inclusive workforce system that truly serves everyone.
A Blueprint for Community Inclusion Strategies for Youth with Developmental Disabilities in Washington, D.C.
This Blueprint centers the voices of youth with developmental disabilities and their families, emphasizing their vital role in shaping inclusive public services. It provides practical guidance on advocacy strategies that can be used by individuals and organizations across the community — empowering everyone to champion meaningful change.
Key recommendations include fostering stronger partnerships between families and service providers, increasing access to inclusive educational and recreational programs, and building community networks that support social and economic participation. By putting youth and families at the heart of policy and program design, this Blueprint lays the groundwork for a more welcoming and equitable city.
Leading the Way or Falling Behind? What the Data Tell Us About Disability Pay Equity and Opportunity in Boston and Other Top Metropolitan Areas
This report compares disability pay equity and career opportunities across 10 major metropolitan areas, revealing a persistent wage gap between working-age adults with disabilities and their non-disabled peers. A key driver of this disparity is the underrepresentation of people with disabilities in management and leadership roles.
The report recommends targeted strategies to increase leadership opportunities, including mentorship programs, inclusive hiring practices, and workplace accommodations that support career advancement. By addressing these barriers, metropolitan areas can move toward true pay equity and unlock the full potential of their diverse workforce.
The Purchasing Power of Working-Age Adults With Disabilities in Boston and Other Top Metropolitan Areas
This study analyzes the disposable and discretionary income of working-age adults with disabilities across 10 major metropolitan areas, highlighting the significant economic impact of disability inclusion in workplaces and communities. The data reveal how empowering people with disabilities through equitable employment not only improves individual financial independence but also strengthens local economies.
Based on these findings, the report recommends increasing inclusive hiring practices, investing in accessible community services, and promoting policies that support financial empowerment for people with disabilities. By recognizing and leveraging this purchasing power, cities can foster more vibrant, equitable, and prosperous communities for all.
Higher Education's Next Great Challenge: Ensuring Full Inclusion For Students With Disabilities
This comprehensive guide offers colleges, universities, and higher education institutions a clear roadmap for achieving full inclusion of students with disabilities—both in the classroom and across campus life. It tackles key challenges like recruiting diverse students, delivering effective accommodations, and using technology to break down barriers.
More than just meeting legal requirements, the guide champions a proactive approach to disability diversity and equity. It provides actionable strategies to foster welcoming environments where all students can thrive, ensuring that inclusion becomes a cornerstone of the higher education experience.
Listen to Us: Responses from Youth with Disabilities During the Youth Voices Community Forum
During the early months of the pandemic, youth with disabilities from across the country shared firsthand their unique challenges and experiences in a powerful Community Forum. Their voices brought critical insights to professionals, highlighting barriers in education, healthcare, social connection, and access to support.
This report captures their candid reflections and bold recommendations for change — calling on policymakers, service providers, and communities to listen, act, and create more inclusive, responsive systems that meet the real needs of young people with disabilities.
Policies for Increasing Employment Among Opportunity Youth with Disabilities Dialogue Report
This report underscores the critical need for an inclusive policy framework that centers young people with disabilities. The Inclusion Priority Framework highlights the biggest hurdle facing opportunity youth with disabilities — lack of full inclusion — and outlines clear solutions to overcome it.
By prioritizing full inclusion, the report offers actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to create equitable employment opportunities, ensuring that youth with disabilities are not left behind in workforce development efforts.
The Network of Consumer Hearing Assistive Technology Trainers: Train-the-Trainers Guide
This guide lays out a dynamic training framework designed to empower volunteers who use hearing assistive technology (HAT) to become effective peer trainers. It equips them with the tools and knowledge needed to support others in confidently using HAT to improve hearing and communication in everyday life.
The N-CHATT program builds a nationwide network of skilled consumer trainers who can reach people affected by hearing loss across homes, workplaces, schools, and communities — creating a ripple effect of empowerment and inclusion through shared expertise.
One Size Does Not Fit All: A New Look at Labor Force Participation Rates for People with Disabilities
Published in 2015, this report offers an insightful examination of the persistent challenges at both state and national levels in achieving workforce participation rates for people with disabilities that match those of their non-disabled peers. It reveals the complex barriers that continue to limit employment opportunities for this community.
By highlighting these challenges, the report calls for targeted, tailored approaches to workforce development that recognize the diverse needs of people with disabilities — moving beyond one-size-fits-all solutions to foster true inclusion and equity in employment.
A Hidden Market: The Purchasing Power of Working-Age Adults With Disabilities
Published in 2018, this report reveals the significant economic influence of working-age adults with disabilities, who hold an estimated half a trillion dollars in disposable income and $21 billion in discretionary income. Despite this, their needs are often overlooked by businesses in product design and marketing strategies.
The report highlights a missed opportunity for companies to engage this powerful consumer group and calls for more inclusive business practices that recognize and respond to the unique preferences of people with disabilities — unlocking a vibrant market while promoting equity and inclusion.
Podcast: The Power of Building Networks That Matter in Today's Job Market
Leadership isn’t just about job titles — it’s about connection, influence, and inclusion. In Episode 298 of the Mid-Career GPS Podcast, host John Neral talks with Dahlia Shaewitz, Founder & CEO of Third Sight LLC, about:
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Leading with authenticity
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Building meaningful professional networks
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Gaining executive-level experience—no promotion required
If you’re navigating leadership from where you are right now, this episode is for you!
