The mission of the California Disability Services Institute, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, is to stimulate recognition of the value of services and supports for persons with disabilities within the community-at-large, to promote professional excellence within the developmental disability field by sponsoring programs and activities with a professional and scientific basis, and to support the development and continuation of the Development Disability field through training, continuing education, research, and innovation.

CDSI has launched the Academy of Leadership Development (ALD) to aid its overall mission. Through the Academy of Leadership Development, program participants currently working in the Developmental Disability field will be offered access to a broad-based leadership training series designed to promote excellence in today’s “middle managers” with a goal of building towards tomorrow’s senior leadership. This academic program will provide education and training in both the Developmental Disability field, as well as in general professional development.