Our Team
Dedicated Professionals Committed to Systemic Change and Individual Support.
Amanda Chen
Director of Programs & Policy
Amanda is the driving force behind the strategic implementation of our educational and advocacy initiatives, bringing over fifteen years of experience in policy analysis and disability rights law to her role. Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in Public Administration, focusing on social policy and equitable resource allocation, which gives her a nuanced understanding of how to effect change within complex governmental structures. She is not just a policy expert; she is a deeply empathetic leader who centers the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities in every strategy DII undertakes. Amanda’s work involves overseeing the development of our flagship corporate inclusion training modules, providing expert testimony to legislative bodies, and mentoring our junior advocates. Her approach is always collaborative, emphasizing that sustainable policy is built through dialogue and a deep commitment to ensuring that legislation reflects the true needs and aspirations of the diverse community we serve, making her an invaluable pillar of the initiative.
Dr. David Olmos
Lead Inclusion Educator
Dr. Olmos holds a doctorate in Special Education and is our resident authority on pedagogical inclusion and accessible learning environments, bringing a wealth of academic rigor and practical experience to our team. Before joining DII, he spent two decades as a university professor and curriculum developer, designing programs that integrate principles of universal design for learning (UDL) into mainstream classrooms and professional settings. His expertise is crucial for our Education & Learning services, where he develops the comprehensive syllabi for our professional development workshops for teachers, HR specialists, and community leaders. David is passionate about translating complex academic theory into actionable, user-friendly strategies, helping organizations move beyond mere compliance to genuinely embedding inclusive thought processes in their daily operations. He firmly believes that education is the most powerful tool for dismantling prejudice, and his enthusiastic, thoughtful approach inspires hundreds of participants each year to become better allies and more effective inclusion practitioners within their own spheres of influence.
Sarah Kazi
Community Outreach & Family Liaison
Sarah serves as the essential bridge between the Disability Inclusion Initiative and the families and local grassroots organizations we support, leveraging her background in social work and community organizing. Having navigated the complex system of support services as a dedicated advocate herself, she brings a deep understanding of the practical challenges and emotional complexities faced by families. Her role is multifaceted, managing our Family Support Group network, organizing our quarterly community resource fairs, and conducting one-on-one consultations to connect families with personalized local services, legal aid, and educational resources. Sarah is known for her exceptional ability to listen empathetically and mobilize community resources efficiently, turning moments of crisis into pathways of effective support. She ensures that DII’s advocacy work remains grounded in the daily realities of our members, constantly gathering feedback to inform our policy efforts and guarantee that our programs are always relevant, accessible, and responsive to the evolving needs of the families we partner with.
Community & Engagement
A Collaborative Commitment
Fostering Strong Bonds to Amplify Our Collective Voice and Impact.
Partnering with Primary Advocates for Lifelong Success.
We view family members and primary caregivers as the most vital and informed advocates in the inclusion journey, and our commitment to family involvement is central to the efficacy of all our programs. Our approach moves beyond simple feedback mechanisms; we actively integrate family voices into our governance structure, ensuring that our policy positions and programmatic development are continually informed by lived experience. We host regular workshops focused on empowering parents to take on leadership roles, training them in effective communication with school administrators, medical professionals, and support service coordinators, transforming potential confrontations into productive partnerships. We understand that the commitment to a loved one’s inclusion is a lifelong journey, and we strive to provide the resources and emotional support necessary to sustain advocacy efforts over decades. By treating families as true partners and experts in their own right, we build a foundation of trust that allows us to collectively work towards the individual’s maximum potential for independence and fulfillment throughout all stages of life.
Forging Alliances for Widespread Systemic Change.
The scope of our impact is directly proportional to the strength and breadth of our community partnerships, which span the public, private, and non-profit sectors. We strategically partner with local government agencies to consult on urban planning, ensuring that new infrastructure projects—from transportation hubs to park renovations—are built with universal accessibility standards from the initial design phase. Our relationships with the private sector are focused on corporate social responsibility, where we work closely with businesses to implement inclusive hiring practices, conduct comprehensive workplace accessibility audits, and advise on developing consumer products that meet the needs of diverse users. Furthermore, we actively collaborate with other non-profit organizations focused on health, education, and social services, pooling our resources and expertise to provide holistic support that prevents fragmentation of care. These powerful, cross-sector alliances ensure that the principles of inclusion are embedded not just in isolated programs, but across the entire operational landscape of our community, leading to a much more integrated and cohesive social environment for everyone.
Join Us / Work With Us
Exceptional Opportunities to Build a Career of Meaningful Impact.
We are constantly seeking passionate, skilled, and mission-driven individuals to join our professional team, offering career opportunities that promise not just employment but a genuine chance to contribute to profound social change. Our team culture is built on deep respect, open communication, and fierce collaboration, creating an environment where every employee’s expertise is valued, and personal growth is actively encouraged, particularly in the ever-evolving fields of disability law, policy analysis, and accessible technology.
Career opportunities at DII frequently arise in specialized areas such as Policy Analysis and Legislative Relations, where expertise in drafting and lobbying for critical inclusion bills is essential, and in Program Management, where we need leaders skilled in developing and deploying our professional certification curricula.
We believe in internal advancement and provide ample opportunities for professional development, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of the inclusion movement. To apply, please visit our careers page to view current openings and submit a detailed cover letter—which should explicitly address your personal commitment to disability rights and inclusion—along with your comprehensive resume, as we are dedicated to building a team whose professional skills are matched by their genuine dedication to our mission.