March 2022: Utah's Staffing Shortage & Women's History Month

Congratulations to Christopher Phillips, who received the Community-Engaged Staff Award from Utah State University earlier this month! The recognition went to community partners who build mutually beneficial cooperation between USU and the greater communi...

An IDRPP panel on health care accessibility included women with different disabilities and challenges. Still, a few common themes emerged: inaccessible facilities, incompatible equipment, and the barriers put up by health care workers’ attitudes.

In a conference for professionals who support people with disabilities at work, keynote speaker Beth Keeton urged her listeners to put the question of whether people can work to rest once and for all. Instead, she said, it’s time to focus on how to suppor...

Our own Mary Ellen Heiner offers a personal review of motivational speaker Jessica Cox's book, Disarm Your Limits. "As someone who uses a wheelchair, I have faced many barriers... Her message reminded me that challenges ... can teach us new ways to adapt,...

Project ECHO's substance abuse network has reached professionals all over Utah: one more step in holding critical conversations around substance use disorder (SUD) in areas that need it the most.

Utah’s 2026 Legislative Session has come to an end with over 500 bills passed! Here is a summary of bills and funding items the IDRPP tracked along with links to items and resources where you can learn more.

Approximately 98% of U.S. infants receive hearing screenings within one month of birth. But follow-up is also critical, and for 25 percent of those screened, it doesn't happen. This project aims to help.

In this episode, Matthew Wappett, Executive Director of the IDRPP sits down with Christine Pisani, Executive Director of the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Libby Oseguera, Executive Director of the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council...

Insights from people with disabilities are critical to shaping programming and services that genuinely meet the needs of the entire community.

IDRPP researcher Ty Aller's project will determine if a single-session digital mental health intervention is helpful for improving wellbeing and mental health among family caregivers of individuals with dementia.

The 38th National Resource Center for Paraeducators Virtual Conference offers them support they can use: affordable, timely and in a way that fits their schedule. NRCP is a project of the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP).

A day-long event at the Utah State Capitol brought together people with disabilities, their families, disability-related agencies and legislators in a powerful reminder that Utah policies affect lives—and those affected have the power to speak out.

"I was placed in mainstream classrooms and loved it, but without the academic accommodations listed in my IEP, I could not have succeeded," writes Kirsten Barraclough.

Talley Wells is the guest on Episode 14 of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal Podcast. He is the current Executive Director of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD). Wells was previously the director of the Disabilit...

First, the program’s funding was abruptly pulled, then partially restored. It was put on hold during a government shutdown. During the shutdown, some VISTA members chose to keep working without pay.

The “Spirit of Service” awards started in 2017. IDRPP has since added an annual award for Mentor of the Year. Here are the recipients for 2025, as their nominators described them.

An analysis of Elsevier Research’s 2024 statistics revealed eight faculty members of USU's College of Education and Human Services ranked in the top 2% of global researchers. One of them is IDRPP's Karl White.

“A lot of individuals with dementia and caregivers aren’t getting adequate support,” says IDRPP researcher Heather Kelley. A new initiative aims to change that.

Not all data is good data or useful data. That is why the IDRPP now has a team dedicated to evaluation and other research-related services.

“A lot of individuals with dementia and caregivers aren’t getting adequate support,” says IDRPP researcher Heather Kelley. Read about efforts to change that in Rural Utah.

IDRPP's Cache County Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program celebrates an award-winning first year.

In one year, Elizabeth Rivera has visited multiple families, offered bilingual story hours, and opted to help numerous people in her free time. She was honored at the Utah Home Visiting Summit last month.

The IDRPP's Heather Kelley was recently awarded a Research Catalyst grant to examine the impact of Compassion Compass, a digital mental health intervention among adults who have recently received a dementia diagnosis.

“It seems like an obvious move, but from my understanding, it's not a common practice.” Research has long been performed on and around disability topics, often without asking for perspectives from people with disabilities. Now, an IDRPP advisory board see...

"Learning about one family may not give us all the information about the family's background. Like, just because I'm an Indian and you'll meet me as an Indian, you may not have the understanding of what all Indians are like."

IDRPP researcher Alex Schiwal shares why birdwatching is for everyone--and how you can get involved in Birdability Week!

In this month’s DDNJ Author Insights Podcast, three UCEDD directors discuss the impact their core grants have on their organizations, and the impact their organizations have on the lives of people with disabilities in their states and the nation.

Kirsten Barraclough, a reviewer with cerebral palsy, reviews 'Out of My Mind,' a film about a girl with CP. "There could have been many ways to sugarcoat this film, but the filmmakers did not go that route," she writes.

A local AmeriCorps program that was unexpectedly terminated in April has now been reinstated and is back to work helping non-profit organizations serve their communities.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Good Things Utah) — A startling 1 in 4 Utahns have a disability. The Institute of Disability Research, Practice, and Policy (IDRPP) has 53 years of experience in disability; it was the first disability research center in the Mountain...

Matthew Wappett said, “There are a lot of assumptions about what people with disabilities can and cannot do. But being creative and expressing ourselves in an aspect of being human.”

Logan City had purchased a lift, but wasn't able to install it due to the design of the pool edge. The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) at Utah State University designed a modification and helped us install the ADA lift for the 50 Meter Pool.

Like the physical therapist who helped me with my wrist, a speech pathologist will assess, diagnose, and set exercises for the patient. I want to be part of the healing process for severe brain injuries.

The Public & School Partnership, has been reinstated and is actively recruiting VISTA members. The local site of the AmeriCorp VISTA program, reopens after it was abruptly terminated in May.

A nearly $750,000 Field Initiated Projects grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research will fund a randomized, controlled trial study on customized employment.

This fall, a nearly $750,000 Field Initiated Projects grant will fund a randomized, controlled trial study on customized employment.

A $586,000 grant will pay for an in-state training program for community rehabilitation programs serving job seekers with disabilities. CEI has offered this training for years, but in the fall its offerings will integrate the latest research and strategie...

"Disability is not a political issue; it is a universal human experience," writes IDRPP Executive Director Matthew Wappett in this guest editorial of the Deseret News. "At some point in our lives, whether through genetics, accident, illness or aging, disa...

With the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ 2026 fiscal report proposing the elimination of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs nationwide, USU's Institute for Disability faces the potential elimination of $650,000 in federal fund...

Utah’s only university-based disability research center is at risk of losing federal funding — a loss that could have a domino effect on the rest of its budget.

SALT LAKE CITY — A major disability research and training center at Utah State University is at risk of losing its core funding, leaving its future uncertain.

“So many of the policies that we have in place, especially for individuals with disabilities, have been put into place and written by people without disabilities,” said lead author Megan Best in an interview about some of the latest research published in ...

Although the One Big Beautiful Bill Act does not explicitly mention UCEDD funding, UCEDD funding is currently being debated as part of the larger federal budget discussions, which are next on Congress's agenda.

The transition from school to adulthood is a critical juncture—and one that is too often marked by uncertainty and unmet needs. Technical assistance division director Norm Ames shows how state education agencies can help students succeed.

In the years it operated at USU, TAPDINTO-STEM brought students with disabilities together and offered support, with the goal of boosting graduation rates for students with disabilities in science, technology, engineering and math.

Two recent court cases highlighted disability rights. One affecting student access has been heard by the US Supreme Court; the other regarding sign language interpreters in the White House is still pending in the United States District Court in D.C.

NIBLEY - A disability doesn’t keep 11-year-old Porter Mann from proudly crossing the finish line in area races. The Heritage Elementary School student is just at the beginning of his career as a distant runner. He cut his teeth on distant running at the W...

The IDRPP’s Interagency Outreach and Training Initiative (IOTI) recently announced the projects it will fund for the next project period, from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.

An assistive technology fair, complete with space and science-themed activities, is coming July 19!

On the latest episode of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal (DDNJ) Author Insights Podcast, Dr. Mathew Wappett sat down with Mary Beth Bruder and Tara Lutz to discuss barriers that adults with disabilities are running into. Dr. Bruder and Dr. ...

For more than 25 years, the Public & School Partnership AmeriCorps VISTA program helped non-profit organizations in Logan and throughout Utah increase their capacity to serve their communities. The program abruptly ended April 25, when its federal grant w...

"Before writing this post, I did not realize how much UCEDDs have impacted my life," writes guest blogger Kirsten Barraclough. Later, she realized that four UCEDDs played a part in her development and education.

Sessions and slides from The Multicultural Disability Conference are now available—and free. The event is over, but conference organizers say the conversation is vital--and it needs to continue.

PSP abruptly ended late last month when its federal grant was terminated. The program leaves a hole here at IDRPP, and at many Utah sites.

That’s a wrap on the Spring 2025 semester! We would like to highlight some members of our staff as they graduate, retire and are honored with awards! Congratulations, all!

From the article: "This entire branch was eliminated in the April 1 cutbacks at CDC that slashed about 2,400 employees." IDRPP's Dr. Karl White, who founded our National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management, explains what this could mean for famil...

Researchers from the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice recently found that 80 percent of adults with disabilities nationwide reported having at least one of 11 chronic health conditions. Many of them could be categorized as preventable,...

"Without these services, it is highly likely that vulnerable individuals would need to receive institutional care, which costs thousands of dollars more to staff and operate efficiently."

We are proud to recognize the hard work and dedication of our IDRPP employees. Each of these employees have had outstanding years of service at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice at Utah State University. Their hard work and commitme...

IDRPP researchers recently found that 80 percent of adults with disabilities nationwide reported having at least one of 11 chronic health conditions. Their findings are available for free through April 20.

A nearly $500,000 grant from the Utah State Board of Education trains personnel from five Utah school districts to prepare special education students for the working world.

A new article in the Early Childhood Education Journal challenges whether developmental milestones—such as the expected age for a typically developing child to drink from a cup or climb stairs—are universal across cultures. Ankita Bhattashali, PhD, from

Utah’s 2025 Legislative Session has come to an end with over 500 bills passed! Here is a summary of what passed, what didn't, and what was funded from the issues IDRPP tracked.

A new article in the Early Childhood Education Journal challenges whether developmental milestones—such as the expected age for a typically developing child to drink from a cup or climb stairs—are universal across cultures.

Read about some of the innovations in assistive technology.

While this technical assistance center is relatively new, it has exciting resources and support under development and planning. These include audience-specific content, micro-credentials on accessibility topics, a searchable clearinghouse regarding the ac...

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice is now an Aira Access Partner. Thanks to a pilot program funded by IDRPP, anyone on the Utah State University campus can open the Aira app on their phone and connect, free of charge, with a professi...

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice thanks the 150 people who attended this year’s Disability Advocacy Day! Participants were also invited to attend the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities reception that evening and put...

Thanks to a pilot program funded by IDRPP, anyone on the Utah State University campus can open the Aira app on their phone and connect, free of charge, with a professional visual interpreter.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2021, nearly 45 million people in America have a disability. That’s 13.6% of the population. So, how can we ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard in the legislative process?

Do you or your child have a disability or special healthcare need? Are you interested in improving your leadership and/or advocacy skills? Are you a healthcare student or professional? This is the place for you!

Listeners, there’s a new Department of Justice rule related to the accessibility of digital materials, apps, and websites for state and local educational agencies. Our special guest today is Cynthia Curry is here to help ease that stress and explain the n...

LOGAN - WebAIM, which stands for “Web Accessibility in Mind,” is a non-profit organization based at Utah State University dedicated to expanding the potential of the web for people with disabilities. This year WebAIM is celebrating 25 years of improving w...

This year, the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice’s WebAIM celebrates 25 years of improving web accessibility. IDRPP interviewed both WebAIM's current director and its founder for a look at its impact in the digital accessibility world. ...

We would like to congratulate the awardees of the Spirit of Service Award and the Mentoring Award in 2024.

The Accessible Times! UATP November Newsletter with winter accessibility tips and more.

The IDRPP opened in 1972, with several classrooms for children with disabilities. In those early days, professionals worked with some students and families who had never received services before.

“Without understanding consent, boundaries, and the power to say no, it is harder to prevent abuse,” said Alex Schiwal, Ph.D and IDRPP researcher.

The Agent Orange Family Assistance Program operated out of the IDRPP in the 1990s. The personal accounts from participants detail an astounding list of health problems among the veterans and their children. Many suspected Agent Orange was to blame.

LOGAN - It wasn’t quite 50 years ago that Karl White began his work as a researcher and Division Director at IDRPP. Later, on a sabbatical in Washington, D.C. in 1984, his work led to the establishment of the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Man...

This month, the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) joins the Institute for Disability. NCHAM founder Karl White began his work here at IDRPP (then called the Exceptional Child Center).

LOGAN - The National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials & Instruction — or NCADEMI — is known as “n-cademy.” Its mission is to ensure that students with disabilities nationwide can access and engage with technology at the same time, and wi...

On this episode of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal Author Insights podcast, IDRPP Executive Director, Mathew Wappett sits down with Micah Peace Urquilla to discuss “Addressing Ableism in Mental Healthcare for Patients with IDD.”

IDRPP's $7.2M National Center on Accessible Digital Education Materials & Instruction (NCADEMI, pronounced n-CAD-emy) officially launched at Utah State University in October 2024.

Thanks to all those who participated in the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice’s Meet the Candidates event! Here are highlights and the full video of each interview.

The new Cache County Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visit program is currently enrolling families for a free service that promotes family resilience and healthy child development.

Physical activity fosters normal growth and development and can make people feel better. When you have a physical disability or impairment, that can be a challenge. This is where adaptive sports can help.

Join us for a two-week virtual event from October 7-18 to get to know the Utah candidates running for US Representative, US Senate, and Utah Governor. This event will help you learn more about the candidates' policy views that will impact Utahns with disa...

“When you look at resilience and mental health, the number one factor in whether someone is able to rebound and manage the stresses in their lives is whether they have healthy relationships,” said Matthew Wappett, IDRPP executive director and one of the t...

A new training network will focus on healthy relationships for adults with disabilities. The sessions are important because relationships have the potential to bring so much joy and risk into the lives of adults with disabilities.

Students at Utah State University - Logan are invited to apply for an NSF-funded mentoring program. This opportunity is open to any student in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) who “self-reports” a disability.

The Public and School Partnership is now led by Program Director Roseline Hill. She comes to Utah State University via South Africa, where she gained more than 20 years’ experience in nonprofit work in human rights and rights for women.

PSP is now led by Roseline Hill and Jessica Jeppesen. The project is an AmeriCorps-funded nonprofit organization staffed by full-time Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members.

Starting Sept. 25, Utah State University’s Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice will offer free professional development sessions focused on early autism identification.

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice offers two mindfulness courses for anyone who wishes to improve their life balance and reduce anxiety. The signup deadline is Sept. 8.

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice offers two mindfulness courses for anyone who wishes to improve their life balance and reduce anxiety. The sign-up deadline is September 8.

LOGAN - Because Utah lags behind all other states in the early identification of autism, Utah State University's Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice will offer a new ECHO professional development project focused on autism.

A delay in identification means children who need services are often years into school before they receive them. In an effort to improve their chances for success, the Institute for Disability will be offering a new ECHO professional development project

Joan Beasley and Luke Kalb discuss the motivation behind “Advancing Strength-Based Inclusive Mental Health Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.”

August 2024 UATP newsletter, featuring updates about the CARE Fair in Salt Lake City and more!

The Whispers with Horses class is a training opportunity that walks participants through mindfulness and compassion concepts and practices.

Looking for a job, but don’t know where to start? Here are five tips that will get you started on your employment journey.

“You can write about problems. You can talk about these issues ...[But] how do you implement them? … That's what we're really hoping to tackle." The DDNJ Podcast talks about health equity and the medical model of disability.

Laughter actually may be the best medicine as a chortle, chuckle, guffaw, giggle, howl, roar or hoot is better for your health than you know. Featuring IDRPP Executive Director Matthew Wappett. Watch the videos!

For years, advocacy groups have tried to alert state officials that Utah was funneling people with disabilities into segregated settings. In March 2021, federal investigators began examining the state’s program. This article quotes IDRPP Executive Directo...

A new center coming to Utah State University this fall will provide accessible digital materials to students with disabilities. The facility will address the "longstanding and historical issues" around access to educational materials for students with dis...

"Utah used to be a model state for Early Intervention," writes IDRPP Executive Director Matthew Wappett, "but we have fallen behind.

Families that have received services say they are grateful for the help with their little ones. But Utah providers struggle to provide quality services on funding that has remained stagnant since 2017.  

I would not be where I am today without early intervention. Therapies have helped me gain and maintain functionality of my body. I honestly do not know what condition my body would be in today without it.

“Our results are showing that the likelihood of an adult with a disability experiencing poor mental health are the same regardless of whether they live in a rural or urban area. But we know that resources are not equally available in rural and urban areas...

Starting this fall, a new Utah State University program will help education agencies across the nation improve the accessibility of school materials like textbooks, lectures, and websites.

Courtney and Dillan Schweinler of Utah County are remembering the early days of their son Theo’s life. He was born three months early. The brain bleeds started soon after that, and the family’s journey with early intervention began in the hospital.

Utah State University’s long-term commitment to digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities is at the heart of this week’s announcement that in October USU will open a $7.2 million center focused on providing accessible materials to students w...

The new program called the National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction, or N-Academy, will be conducted at USU's Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice.

On June 18, the US Department of Justice announced that Utah violates federal civil rights by segregating people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. IDRPP officials respond to the findings.

In October, a new $7.2 million center focused on providing accessible materials to students with disabilities will open at Utah State University. The new National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction (NCADEMI) will be housed ...

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal is celebrating its inclusion in the Directory of Open Access Journals, a globally recognized service that maintains a list of peer-reviewed open access journals. The journal’s inclusion in DOAJ underscores a comm...

Dr. Audrey Juhasz, researcher at the Institute for Disability Research Policy and Practice at Utah State University, discusses findings from their disability data analysis research.

This special issue will be dedicated to evidence-based processes and practices for entities to ensure the accessibility of digital content, information, services, programs, or activities.

We all have bad days and sad times, but depression is more than sadness. Anxiety is more than nervousness. Guest blogger Kirsten Barraclough addresses disability and mental health.

The Accessible Times! UATP November Newsletter with adaptive recreation resources and more!

Yesterday was Global Accessibility Awareness Day, and I cannot think of a better guest to have on the show today than Jared Smith. Jared is the director of WebAIM or Web Accessibility in Mind.

"My idea was to create a training that would be approachable [and] accessible to most people that are interested in developing their mindfulness" -Joana Franco

"I don't think of disability as a limitation. ... It's just another way to describe who you are."

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice salutes our employees and URLEND trainees who passed a big milestone this year. Congratulations!

King's main message for everyone, especially to Utahns, is seek to be understanding and supportive of people or communities that may be different than what one is naturally born into or comfortable with.

Two student researchers, mentored here at the Institute, presented their award-winning work to understand a sobering gap in mental health resources during Research Week at Utah State University.

We asked researchers Sumiko Martinez and Ann Carrick to share more thoughts on how to build more inclusive communities, workplaces, professional offices and friendships. This is their interview.

A remarkable story of how three countries and dozens of people united to help bring a customized wheelchair to a partially paralyzed girl began in 2022 with one exceptional, considerate woman.

The Institute lost a family member this month with the passing of Amy Henningsen, an occupational therapist and assistive technology practitioner who worked with our Up to 3 program for 32 years. Here are our memories.

Dr. Richard Chapman and Jessica Shuttler discuss how principles of self determination and assessment apply to individuals with disabilities with Matthew Wappett.

LOGAN - WebAIM (web accessibility in mind) is part of Utah State University’s Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice. ... And for the sixth year the WebAIM Million report, released this month, details accessibility to the world’s top 1 mill...

The latest WebAIM Million report is out — and so are some key facts about web accessibility, in higher education and out in the wild.

The good news is that the higher education world has made huge steps in the field of web accessibility. But outside the higher ed world, web accessibility progress is much slower.

One hour isn’t enough to experience what life is like in a wheelchair, said Heiner. “The purpose for this wheelchair exercise is to make you aware of the barriers that people in wheelchairs face so that you can do something about them."

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice’s Up to 3 program aims to help parents who struggle to connect with their children through the use of play.

Project ECHO is searching for expecting mothers to participate in a longitudinal research study.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us remember not only women who are world-famous, but also women who have contributed personally to our lives, and our female ancestors.

The Utah 2024 legislative session has officially ended! Here is a summary of what did and didn’t pass, as well as funding updates.

"It's never a mistake to carve out a place for yourself in this world," says Kelie Hess.

I am black, hard of hearing, visually impaired, and in a wheelchair. I encounter discrimination regularly. I vividly remember my first visit to City Creek Center. It was overwhelmingly big, and I got lost. I asked so many people for help, but very few peo...

As a woman of color who was born with cerebral palsy, Shari Cooper has faced many difficult challenges.

Brian Phillips and Tim Riesen of USU have a $5.4 million contract to create a website that will help youth with disabilities transition from school to careers.

In this episode, host Jeff Skibitsky and esteemed guest Dr. Matthew Wappett discuss reimagining the future of education to be more inclusive for individuals with disabilities. With a focus on autism, they critically discuss the current challenges and poss...

An all-things-paraeducator virtual conference will be hosted by the National Resource Center for Paraeducators (NRCP) from January 25th - 27th.

A new effort from Utah State University to deal with substance abuse begins this week with the first of 12 free monthly Zoom sessions.

Do you want to be fully in charge of your life? Or does being in charge scare you a bit? Is there an in-between place where you are in charge of your decisions, but you have help along the way? Yes, there is.

Caregiver advocates in Utah have recently received grant funding to provide long-term support for veteran caregivers' service and time in Utah.

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice’s ECHO project on substance abuse launches Wednesday, January 10 at noon. Time to Act ECHO: Substance Abuse is free for all participants.

Our congratulations go to this year's Spirit of Service awardees! These are people who show up and do what needs to be done, who go the extra mile without being asked, who are tireless workers, but whose efforts largely go unrecognized.

A Kind of Spark is about Addie Darrow, an elven eleven-year-old Autistic girl living in the village of Juniper, England. Addie becomes passionate about building a memorial to women wrongfully executed for being witches.

As a first-time mom, I didn't know much, but I did know that it felt like my kid was harder than everyone else's. It wasn't until I called Up to 3 and had some home visits that I finally found some validation.

A recent wheelchair basketball game turned into an unexpected fundraiser as members of the Utah community came together. 

WebAIM Director Jared Smith recently received the Social Impact Award at the Information and Communication Technologies Accessibility Testing Symposium in Washington, DC.

Specialists from the Institute for Disability have received nearly $500,000 from Utah’s Department of Workforce Services to bolster customized employment for people severely impacted by disability in Utah.

Since 2014, federal policy has focused on competitive, integrated employment for people with intellectual disabilities. New research shows that after nearly a decade, there is a lot of room for improvement.

Specialists from IDRPP have received nearly $500,000 to continue their work on bolstering customized employment for people severely impacted by disability in Utah. The funding will cover training and consulting work over the next three years.

Since 2014, federal policy has focused on competitive, integrated employment for people with intellectual disabilities. New research from IDRPP shows there is lots of room for improvement.

Individuals in Utah with a print disability may qualify to vote electronically- a significant step towards accommodating accessibility needs.

Consumer and community involvement is vital to our work! Find out how to serve on our Community Advisory Council.

Utah State University’s Institute for Disability, Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP) has launched its 5th ECHO training project.

The Seeking Mental Health Services as an Adult with a Disability exhibition is now on display at the Lyndsley Wilkerson Gallery in the Sorenson Center for Clinical Excellence at Utah State University.

The goal of USU’s Utah Assistive Technology Program is to put assistive technology into the hands of people who need it. Student journalist Anna Johnson recently featured this work.

A project from the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice aims to ease a shortage of certified Braille transcribers in three states.

The free "Time to Act ECHO: Mental Health Across the Lifespan" is a statewide training initiative intended to build capacity and confidence among service providers from across disciplines.

In the latest DDNJ podcast, Institute for Disability Director Matthew Wappett and National Center for Cultural Competence Director Tawara Goode explore how leadership is crucial in creating cultural and communal change.

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice launches its fifth ECHO project on October 18. “Early Warning Signs of Infant Mental Health,” the first in a series of sessions, will kick off the free Time to Act ECHO: Mental Health Across the Lif...

"I job shadowed at my university library’s technical services department. It was in the basement and required a master’s degree, and I decided I wasn’t that interested in library science after all." Guest blogger Kirsten Barraclough offers her advice on p...

Thanks to a digital class, and a web accessibility evaluation tool from its Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP) Utah State University is more accessible to students with disabilities.

"Seeking Mental Health Services as an Adult with a Disability" runs from September 29 to October 27, 2023.

Utah State University is more accessible to students with disabilities, thanks to resources from the Institute for Disability. It’s also thanks to the efforts of USU’s Digital Accessibility Services Group, and to people from every corner of every USU camp...

Over the last three years, content from the DDNJ has been downloaded 13,000 times in 70 countries. The journal has included content from people with disabilities from many different backgrounds in alignment with its mission to include people with disabili...

USU is more accessible to students with disabilities, thanks to a course and a web accessibility evaluation tool from the Institute for Disability. It’s also thanks to the efforts of USU’s Digital Accessibility Services Group, and to people from every cor...

The DDNJ celebrates its third anniversary this month. People with disabilities from many backgrounds have contributed to its pages. Its content has been downloaded 13,000 times in 70 countries.

“If you've done research on me, or you've done research with me, I still want to know what the results are," says DDNJ contributor Ida Winters. ... At any point where it's not what I signed up for, I'd like to know.”

“I think for too long, a lot of these [longterm care facilities] have had a lack of accountability,” said Matthew Wappett, IDRPP’s executive director and a board member at the DLC. “It’s a good thing people are paying attention now.”

An Autistic reviewer shares their thoughts on Temple Grandin's Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gift of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions.

The Institute's Kimberly Hutter was interviewed in this article about the shortage of Braille teachers nationwide--and what IDRPP's Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education is doing to ease it.

A 2018 report found people with disabilities were seven times more likely to experience sexual assault than their peers. If you are an adult with a developmental disabilities or you care or work with one, you can help!

All trips require planning, preparation, and packing. If you have a disability, the planning, preparation, and packing are usually magnified because there are more factors in play. There are ways to help it go smoother, though, and I’ll share some of thos...

It’s not every day that a presentation on customized employment lands IDRPP staff members on panel with Bollywood stars in India. But it happened earlier this spring, and the visit to India left a lasting impression on two continents.

The Star Tribune (Minneapolis) reports on a rise in ADA-based lawsuits aimed at company websites. Features an interview with Jared Smith of IDRPP's WebAIM.

Bridgerland Literacy, located in the Institute for Disability Research, Policy and Practice, is meeting people where they are—not only in reading ability but also in their own communities. "It's never too late to learn how to read," says volunteer & forme...

People with disabilities can visit UATP and ask for specific, custom-made devices to help them when the needed devices don’t exist.

The Institute for Disability salutes our employees and URLEND trainees who passed a big milestone this year. Congratulations!

Sybil Cutler’s path to graduation has been busy. She's been a teacher's assistant, student researcher, undergraduate research fellow, peer advisor and college council member. Now she adds USU Citizenship Award recipient to the list.

A new Institute for Disability project will provide free instruction and professional development for those who serve clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities who also have mental health concerns.

UATP has created several tools that will help individuals through their day-to-day lives, with everything from liftware eating utensils and vehicle adaptions.    

Decolonization isn't a metaphor, it's an action. Nathan Rabang and Vanessa Hiratsuka discuss the decolonization of disability among indigenous communities.

A new-to-USU program offers mentorship and financial supports to students with disabilities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

The official newsletter of Utah Assistive Technology Program. Learn about the latest in Assistive Technology news for you.

I learned about inclusion at home because that was the norm. In our home there was always an atmosphere of inclusion and love.

Bollywood icons Bobby Deol and Kajol joined a panel discussion on Customized Employment for People with Disabilities at The Gateway School in Mumbai. The discussion delved into the crucial issue of employment opportunities for PWDs and was graced by Bolly...

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice’s Service Division is growing, with new projects coming on board and existing ones poised to grow. To manage the changes, IDRPP has brought in two Service Division associate directors.

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice’s Service Division is growing, with new projects coming on board and existing ones poised to grow. To manage the changes, IDRPP has brought in two Service Division Associate Directors.

Here is a list of legislation—passed and failed—that will affect Utah’ people with disabilities and their families.

When one has a speech impairment, many people don't take the time to hear what you want or even what you are trying to say. I worked hard to make my voice stronger and my articulation tactics clever. So, I would be heard.

Dan O’Crowley had both physical and cost barriers in mind when he began a project to develop a device that would combine the health and accessibility benefits of a walking exoskeleton with the energy-conscious, battery-saving benefits of a wheelchair.

If your child has a developmental disability, help them be involved in school and community activities. It is everyday interactions with real people that have a lasting effect.

It's Black History month. My present difficulties have made me want to speak more personally. It takes courage to fight for yourself. And if doctors don't listen, seek another opinion.

To have the inclusion of people with disabilities be truly meaningful, it should spring out of genuine respect and caring. Working together, we can create an inclusive society for everyone.

Disability Advocacy Day is approaching! In the spirit of advocacy, I wanted to share some thoughts with all the advocates out there, wondering how to share their stories here, on our blog.

Women with disabilities are less likely to be screened for cervical cancer. They are often diagnosed at a later age, and later diagnosis leads to the cancer being more difficult to treat.

The “Spirit of Service” awards began in 2017 as a way to honor a person within each division who goes the extra mile without being asked.

USU professionals agree the opioid epidemic's effects are still very much with us as a society. The children exposed to opioids in utero years ago may still experience the effects of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which can continue into their schoo...

Becoming open-minded and inclusive helps those who are marginalized to be seen and heard. It also helps our communities to grow and involve more diverse perspectives.

Alison Layton used to love to go on hikes. But after she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, it became impossible to keep going for long. “I’d be so exhausted,” says the teen from Kaysville, Utah. “I’d get to the point where I couldn’t do an...

Audífonos OTC, dispositivos para temblores y recursos!

OTC hearing aids, devices for tremors and resources!

Dr. Ronald Thorkildsen passed away on November 7. He was one of the Institute’s pioneering administrators. He was a researcher, grant-writer and technology developer. But when anyone who knew him heard his name, the first thing they said was, “Isn’t he th...

The holidays can be a stressful time of year, but there are strategies that can help.

Parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities likely have many questions. Here's how the Institute's Southeast Early Intervention Program helps them find answers--and reassurance!

In the most recent episode of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal's podcast, Author Insights, Dr. Robert Morgan and Tabitha Pacheco explore the importance of communication and collaboration in transition services.

Curtis Phillips is the new service division director at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice at Utah State University. He comes to the job at a busy time.

Dr. Curtis Phillips is the new IDRPP Service Division director, leading five service programs in several regions throughout Utah. These are busy but important times, Phillips says. "Everyone deserves a happy and fulfilling life."

Good communication is key to building bridges of understanding, regardless of disability.  The more we can practice respecting the thoughts, opinions and preferences of others, the world will be a better place.

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice kicked off its 50th anniversary celebration with fine art. The Institute featured two artists in Logan’s Gallery Walk, offering a glimpse into different styles, cultures and ways of thinking about c...

Unfortunately, breast cancer is still the leading cause of female cancer-related death in Utah. Screening rates in Utah are low, but are even lower when we look at our women who live with disabilities. Read this post and improve the odds!

In 1972, the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice opened at Utah State University. This year, the Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary and five decades of growth in the disability field.

In 1972, the Institute opened its doors as a special school for children with disabilities. At that time, we were one of the few schools in the Western U.S. that would work with students with disabilities.

¡Consejería accesible, TA en la cuenca de Uintah y una mirada a la TA en acción!

Accessible counseling, AT in the Uintah Basin and a look at AT in action!

The Utah State University Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall. As part of the celebration, IDRPP will feature artists in the Logan Gallery Walk Friday, Sept. 23. Kelie Hess is one of those art...

This Friday in Logan, the Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary by featuring two artists in the Gallery Walk. Their works can be viewed at the Presideo Real Estate Office at 19 W Center Street from 6 to 9 pm on September 23.

The transition from high school to college is a stressful time for anyone, especially when you have a disability or other health condition. College isn’t easy, but it’s a mountain worth climbing and exploring.

"Families matter. Their voice matters, their experiences matter, their opinions matter—especially when it comes to their children."

In addition to working with the Institute, Dr. Ty Aller will have a role in Utah State University’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies. His work falls on the intersection of disability and mental health.

"I find myself constantly on trial for things I cannot change," said Melissa Malcom King in a speech she gave during the ADA 32nd Anniversary Celebration in Salt Lake City. Read her frank, poetic and hopeful thoughts on deliverance.

¡La tecnología para las agencias de Utah que atienden a las personas mayores recibe un impulso, tecnología tremor y un sistema para una conducción segura!

The ADA helps those born with disabilities, those who acquire them later in life, and those without disabilities. It is wonderful and necessary, but it can’t fully solve the barriers people with disabilities face.

Happy Disability Pride Month! Technology for Utah's agencies that serve seniors gets a boost, tremor tech and a system for safe driving!

Federal crisis funding to Utah’s Aging and Disability Resource Center was administered through IDRPP, and it upgraded and enhanced technology for senior service providers throughout Utah.

Caras nuevas en la UATP, una mirada en profundidad a la accesibilidad a la luz de una pandemia, ¡ y más!

A study published in the Journal of Inclusive Postsecondary Education offers a list of skills that parents of college students with intellectual disabilities said would help students as they prepare to go to an inclusive college program. The parents surve...

A study published in the Journal of Inclusive Postsecondary Education offers a list of skills that parents of college students with intellectual disabilities say would help students as they prepare to go to an inclusive program.

This August, Aggies Elevated will welcome its ninth cohort to the Logan campus, and its first cohort at the USU-Eastern campus in Price. The program has left its mark on Utah’s higher education and has more changes on the horizon.

"My Disability Roadmap shows how valuable it is that people with disabilities get to tell their own stories. Comedian and actor Maysoon Zayid explains, 'when you have more disabled people...telling our own stories, then it won't be the endless pity party....

“We need to know what is our capacity, what are our needs, our individual and collaborative efforts. And sometimes what we think doesn’t match with what we are doing. We need to create an intentional and purposeful EDI culture.”

New faces, new resources, and an in-depth look into how the pandemic impacted people with disabilities!

COVID-19 upended the planet. Suddenly everything happened on-screen and in cars. But for those with disabilities, the rush online made some things hard and other things impossible. Utah State Magazine examines work by IDRPP's WebAIM.

COVID-19 upended the planet. Suddenly everything happened on-screen and in cars. But for those with disabilities, the rush online made some things hard and other things impossible: learning, working, buying food, signing up for a vaccine appointment.

"It is vital that those with disabilities have equal access to the internet. In fact, some of us may use the internet more. ... Using the internet makes me feel independent, and I love that feeling."

¡Feliz Semana de Concientización sobre AT! Siga leyendo para encontrar cuatro nuevos videos de demostración sobre tecnología para personas ciegas y con discapacidad visual, buenas y malas noticias sobre accesibilidad web, ¡y más!

Congratulations to IDRPP employees who completed their degrees and programs this year!

Sue Olsen is the recipient of the Strong Human Services Award from Utah State University’s Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. She is the Services Division Director for the Institute for Disability Research, Policy and Practice (IDR...

Staying curious about life may lessen your fears. I am discovering that it’s better to face what’s hard head on than to hide from it. Never stop exploring in life because there’s always more to learn.

Happy AT Awareness Week! Read on to find four new demonstration videos on tech for the Blind and Visually Impaired, good news and bad news on web accessibility, and more!

Sue Olsen, director of our Services Division, is the 2022 recipient of the Strong Human Services Award from the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University.

March is Women’s History Month. Women with disabilities need to be included in all aspects of society. Each person has their own story to share, and each story that is included makes the story of humanity more complete.

Sexual assault and abuse of people with disabilities often goes unreported. To address this pressing issue, Dr. Parthenia Dinora and Molly Dellinger Wray have developed an impactful training program.

Why do so many in Utah choose jobs that help other people? Little Lambs of Utah, one of several nonprofits offering positions through the Public & School Partnership’s AmeriCorps VISTA program, offers some reasons. PSP is part of the Institute for Disabil...

A look at accessible voting and its challenges; ways to make assistive technology devices work for you and your clients; and a whole lot of AT resources including wearables, education aids and more!

In any case, regardless of what the speaker said, my disabilities are real. They cause me a lot of difficulties. Sometimes I feel despair, like I am living half a life. I have learned that regardless of your race, gender, or age, you alone are your best a...

If you find yourself needing to work from home, remember it takes thought and planning. With planning and persistence, working from home can be successful.

Physical activity can be fun, social, and energizing; it is an important part of health and wellness. However, physical activity can lack the necessary accessibility required for inclusion of people with disabilities.

We had all experienced it, that return to work or school after a long break. Over the years, I have found several coping strategies that have helped me get back to the grind.

Norman Ames is the new director of a Utah State University division tasked with helping organizations improve services for people with disabilities and their families on the national and international stage.

Currently the average wage for a disability staff member is $12.75 an hour. With wages so low, it’s not only driving staff to poverty but causing a huge labor shortage in the system.

Care providers have historically seen high turnover rates and low wages. But in the last year and a half, the wages have become so low, they are creating a care crisis in Utah. Staff is less experienced, more overworked, and harder to come by.

With wages so low for disability workers, long-term care centers are unable to provide enough care for the disabled. This staffing crisis is leading to overworked caretakers and often neglected clients. Parents with disabled children are speaking out.

Advocates for the disabled in Utah, and disability assistance workers, say a lack of state funding is badly impacting people in need. Specifically, they say that pay for disability workers is so low, long-term care centers can’t find enough people to fil...

Thank you to Kim Beckstead and the Utah Assistive Technology (AT) Act Program (UATP) for this wonderful window into learning to live differently with AT.

Disability Advocacy Day is almost here! Read more about the keynote speaker, First Lady Abby Cox, and the upcoming presentation on disability intersectionality by Dr. Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg.

An advocate is someone who supports a cause, policy, or person. Someone can advocate on behalf of someone else, or for themselves. All forms of advocacy have their place. This blog post will focus on the importance of self-advocacy in everyday situations....

“I think about wanting to give people the opportunity to retire, to have their cat on their bed while they’re sick, to access hospice care. And it starts with conversations about those wishes. And we don’t have them enough.”

Good pay for direct support professionals will attract good people to the field and keep them. It is a hard job and takes a special kind of person, one who is gentle and patient and persistent and kind and willing to help with daily living tasks.

Students with disabilities are at a higher risk of bullying than their peers. Here is some prevention advice from Frank Podobnik, a former school psychologist and former state special education director in Montana.

A look at wheelchairs, wheelchair accessibility and home modifications. Enjoy your holidays!

The idea of medical mask exemptions became intertwined with the anti-mask movement. But medical conditions can affect mask-wearing, largely for members of the disabled community.

At the start of its second year, a WebAIM training program is now available to more than 52,000 employees at the 23 campuses in the CSU system.

Fox News interviews Ph.D student Erica Ficklin regarding her research on disability and mental health perceptions among Utah natives. Her work began at IDRPP and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

A researcher identifies themes in how disability and mental health are perceived among Natives communities--and how the rush to provide services online leaves some behind.

Kelie Hess joins in a conversation about disability, visibility and accessibility on Utah Public Radio's Access Utah.

A guide to help children speak for themselves in the doctor's office is now available, thanks to a team of trainees from the Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program.

You may already have received your mail-in ballot. But if a paper ballot is not accessible to you, there are other options. Here are some reminders of your voting rights.

Last year was a record-breaking year for us in many areas. We surpassed our prior benchmarks for the total number of people served, projects managed, research and evaluation studies completed, peer-reviewed publications accepted.

On October 5, the US Attorney’s Office in eastern New York announced agreements to improve accessibility of COVID-19 vaccination websites. IDRPP's WebAIM provided information on accessibility across these entities’ websites.

IDRPP's WebAIM provided accessibility information for New York vaccination websites, helping agencies make sure people with disabilities could sign up for vaccines.

How UATP and Roads to Independence teamed up to help a family in the Uintah Basin; AT for seniors; resources to help with finances and more!

UATP in the post-COVID era. An encore presentation of our "Smashing the Stereotype" training, this time on Zoom. Plus, UATP hits the stage--or at least, one of our wheelchairs does...

History Professor Nadja Durbach presents the history of the Victorian freak show. While it's cringe-worthy by today's standards, she suggests it was a place where atypical bodies were most integrated into their society.

On September 23, the Institute for Disability lost a family member with the passing of Connie Perhson.

The USU Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice is conducting a statewide survey to learn what is working and not working well for people with disabilities in Utah. Please take 10 minutes to tell us.

When it comes to working with visually impaired infants and their parents, perhaps nobody on the planet is as experienced, skillful and knowledgeable as Elizabeth Dennison of IDRPP's SKI-HI Institute.

If you’ve followed the Institute for Disability and its projects on social media, you already know rent relief in Utah has been a big topic this year.

A program from IDRPP will help train Utah's youth to identify and respond to mental health issues.

Rural Utah’s early intervention professionals sometimes work in isolation. But outside of attending a conference, which takes time and money, they may have few opportunities to draw from other professionals’ expertise—until now.

Dr. Tim Riesen is the new director of the Research and Training division of the Institute for Disability Research, Policy and Practice.

UATP ofrece consejos para obtener más potencia y una vida útil más prolongada de la batería de su silla de ruedas o scooter; capacitación sobre el uso de la tecnología para comunicaciones, reuniones y ejercicio accesibles; y recursos para usar las funcion...

UATP offers tips on getting more power and longer life from your wheelchair or scooter battery; training on using technology for accessible communication, meetings and exercise; and resources for using built-in AT features on your devices!

¡UATP ayuda al hombre de Vernal a mantener su independencia, comparte información sobre cómo hacer que una casa sea más accesible y más!

IDRPP Executive Director Matthew Wappett, School to Work Coordinator Kelie Hess, and Utah Developmental Disabilities Council member Eric Stoker discuss disability in Utah and why full participation in the community matters.

A team from the Institute for Disability was awarded a grant as part of the National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk.

As of July 1, Utah State University’s Center for Persons With Disabilities will be known as the Institute for Disability Research, Policy and Practice.

Effective July 1, 2021, USU’s Center for Persons with Disabilities will be renamed the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice.

On March 4th, 2021, individuals gathered in the darkness to shine hope into the hearts of those who suffer at the hands of those who say they are not enough.

UATP helps Vernal man maintain his independence, shares information on how to make a home more accessible, and more!

Tricia Jones-Parkin was elected to the Association of People Supporting Employment First board. She sat down with the CPD for an interview about the organization, its mission, and why competitive employment for people with disabilities matters.

A new project from the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University will help youth leaders know how to identify someone that might be experiencing a mental health issue and spot evidence-based resources to treat these issues.

Congratulations to the Center for Persons with Disabilities employees who graduated this year!

Throughout his years of volunteering with UATP within the Center for Persons with Disabilities, Stoke has shown his commitment to involving students in designing and building devices that improve lives of people with disabilities.

The CPD’s Up to 3 is getting a surprise boost this month, as a family that received services years ago launched a T-shirt fundraiser for the program.

In a year when educators and businesses were rushing online, free accessibility courses from the CPD's WebAIM impacted organizations and the lives of individuals.

After 37 years at the CPD, Mary Ellen Heiner has become part of its inner workings. Her style of service can be described as kind, competent, positive, mission focused. And now it’s award-winning.

Guest blogger Melissa Malcolm King offers a poignant reminder that while we have spent the last year in the same pandemic, it's been a vastly different and more heartbreaking experience for some.

The pandemic has brought the added stress of job and income loss for many. But for Isabel Allende, the first and biggest hurdle was acknowledging the need.

Blind Americans are finding that these new registration sites suffer from low-contrast coloring, minimal text options, screen reader incompatibility and supplemental electronic forms that must be filled out.

While Utah ramps up efforts to vaccinate every adult in the state, advocates are increasingly concerned that the websites used for scheduling appointments are less accessible to people who are sight-impaired.

Most of the websites that Utahns use to sign up for the COVID vaccine contain accessibility errors that could potentially prevent people with disabilities from signing up independently, according to a recent review from WebAIM.

AE caught the attention of the Lumina foundation, which is dedicated to bringing post-high educational experiences to everyone, especially those who normally encounter barriers.

Many COVID vaccination registration and information websites at the federal, state and local levels violate disability rights laws, hindering the ability of blind people to sign up for a potentially lifesaving vaccine.

The new director of Utah State University’s Utah Assistive Technology Program is a familiar face. Bora Lee came to UATP as a VISTA member in 2019. After, she earned her Ed.D, focusing on transitioning to adulthood for minority students with disabilities....

Did you miss the Disability Advocacy Day activities? Would you like a refresher? Recorded sessions from the 2021 event are now available. Find out more about the sessions here.

UATP welcomes a new director, helps a boy recover from surgery AND win a science fair, and salutes a volunteer who pays it forward in Salt Lake City!

¡UATP da la bienvenida a un nuevo director, ayuda a un niño a recuperarse de una cirugía Y a ganar una feria de ciencias, y saluda a un voluntario que lo paga en Salt Lake City!

The class is “Career Exploration 2,” but some days, it could just as well be called “How to Handle Life.”

Today we’ll feature how seniors and people with disabilities are using technology during the pandemic, f rom getting hooked up to the internet for the first time, to building community virtually to the hurdles and expanded opportunities of remote work.

It is vitally important that legislators hear from the people who are directly affected by policies in the State of Utah. Here's how to talk to them in 2021.

After 20 years at Utah State University’s Center for Persons With Disabilities — most recently as Policy Director — Sachin Pavithran will leave soon for Washington, D.C. to become Executive Director of the U.S. Access Board.

Until recently at Utah State University’s Center for Persons With Disabilities there was a program known as the “Developmental Skills Laboratory.” Drake Rasmussen, the lab’s program coordinator, said its name was changed recently.

El director de UATP pasa a una posición de liderazgo nacional, cómo hacer que ese video chat de vacaciones sea accesible y guías imprimibles para Zoom y Google Meet.

UATP's director moves on to a national leadership position, how to make that Holiday video chat accessible, and printable guides for Zoom and Google Meet!

The Spirit of Service awards feature one person from each CPD division who goes the extra mile without being asked, who is a tireless worker, but whose efforts largely go unrecognized. Meet this year's recipients!

Dr. Sachin Pavithran, the CPD’s outgoing policy director and the Utah Assistive Technology Program Director, will soon leave for Washington, DC. Starting in January 2021, he will be the new US Access Board Executive Director.

Stride Services (formerly the Developmental Skills Laboratory) has a new name and logo, but the changes are a lot more than skin-deep. The name change reflects the program’s commitment to integrate participants into the community

The CPD will partner in pilot programs focused on mental health awareness and advocacy for farmers.

Holiday fun, ways to be together while apart, a podcast to support education, and free resources!

Diversión navideña, formas de estar juntos mientras están separados, podcasts para apoyar la educación y recursos gratuitos.

USU’s Center for Persons With Disabilities is offering a national training initiative to help early childhood educators and others support the children and families affected by these conditions.

Utah Third District Representative John Curtis, a Republican who recently won re-election, is next up for an interview with the CPD’s policy team on November 10, from 9:30 to 10 am.

Utah State University Extension has received $200,000 to invest in new mental health awareness programs for farmers, ranchers and other Utahns in rural parts of the state.

A collaborative effort across three universities will create new, post-secondary programs at USU Eastern and Utah Valley University. It will also provide additional funding for Aggies Elevated.

Both Utah gubernatorial candidates offered their views on disability issues. Here's a quick summary.

¡Recursos COVID-19 gratuitos! Ayuda gratuita para aquellos con alto riesgo de complicaciones por COVID-19, recursos gratuitos adicionales.

Free COVID-19 resources, including help for high-risk individuals and free coronavirus-related mental health counseling.

In Utah, disability doesn't change your right to vote, though sometimes people try to interfere with it anyway. Here are some things to know.

The CPD’s Project SCOPE is a national training initiative designed to help early childhood educators, health providers and others who support the children and families affected by opioid use.

Chris Stewart, Republican incumbent in the race for Utah’s Second Congressional District, is next up an interview with the CPD’s policy team on Thursday, October 8, from 10 to 10:30. You can also watch it later from the CPD's policy page.

Columnist Mary Ellen Heiner explains why she chose a manual wheelchair over a power wheelchair.

Devin Thorpe will answer disability policy questions in the latest installment of "Getting to Know the Candidates: Disability Policy" series.

While no one knew I was Autistic growing up – including myself - the word for it didn’t matter. I was clearly different than my peers, and living differently in the world made me a target.

Next up in our "Getting to Know the Candidates" series is Utah First Congressional District candidate Darren Parry.

Sharon's competence is impressive. The kindness she layers over it is legendary. We could go on and on... and we did!

Lieutenant Governor Cox and Representative Curtis are next up for interviews on their disability policy views. Tune in on Zoom!

Alice Sheppard, the director of the Bridgerland Literacy program, tells the story of a beautiful Simolean lady trying to pass her GED. Sheppard said they taught her a basic thing she needed to know to be successful, and she was.

Chris Peterson, candidate for governor, and Kael Wilson, candidate for Utah's Second Congressional District, to be interviewed on September 10.

Utah State University Libraries, in collaboration with the Center for Persons with Disabilities, published the first issue of a new open access scholarly journal focused on disability issues in the United States.

The "Getting to Know the Candidates: Disability Policy" online interview series launches Thursday with an interview with Blake Moore, candidate for US Congress in Utah's First District. The public is invited to this Zoom event.

COVID-19 made some changes, but Up to 3's virtual services ensure parents are in charge of their child's development.

Lou-Michél McKee raises their voice for Black Lives Matter Utah, disability and neurodivergent rights, women’s rights or environmental justice.

In a policy brief, the CPD asks the State of Utah to uphold the rights of people with disabilities and continue putting the Settings Rule in place, despite the challenges of COVID-19.

Columnist Mary Ellen Heiner reflects on school, work and play before and after the ADA.

Women do the lion’s share of unpaid care work in Utah, with women in their 40s and 50s often spending time doing both child and elder care. It makes for some stressful moments and the pandemic adds some new challenges.

If you are a Utah student at high risk of complications from COVID-19, here are some things to know as Fall Semester approaches.

CPD Public Relations Specialist JoLynne Lyon was recently recognized with a second-place award in the “Education” category of the 2020 Utah Society of Professional Journalists Headliners Contest.

For University of Utah student, Athena Schwartz, each part of their identity informs the other.

At a time when police actions are under scrutiny, Ramona Cueves of Kearns shared this story of an experience when police responded to her daughter during a mental health crisis.

A six-week, self-paced online workshop teaches skills for managing chronic pain.

June 15 update: Many have come together in a shared effort to help those in need in Cache County. Help is needed to sort, pack and deliver donations.

Today’s episode is about hate crimes with Dr. Sachin Pavithran, who discussed his personal experiences. Please note there will be discussions on hate, hate crimes, racism, racial profiling, police brutality, xenophobia, and violence.

CPD Coordinator of Programs Mary Ellen Heiner reflects on facing her fear of water, years after an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.