Utah Regional LEND - Urlend

05/21/2026

Thank you Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice for the recognition of our graduates in this important work. We appreciate the valuable partner you are, and the support you provide!

Congratulations to our employees who are marking a graduation milestone this year! In addition, the URLEND program is honoring the trainees who have finished their course. JoLynne Lyon

05/06/2026

The AUCD Conference is calling for proposals! Share your work, connect with leaders, and help shape the future of disability services, research, and advocacy.

🗓 Deadline: June 20, 2026
👉 Learn more and submit today!
🔗 https://www.aucd.org/conference/proposals-2026



ID: A promotional graphic for the AUCD 2026 Annual Conference. At the top, it features the AUCD logo and the text: “Impact through Innovation and Partnership.” Below that: “November 8–12 • Washington, DC.” The main headline reads: “Call for Proposals,” with a submission deadline of “June 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.” Supporting text invites people to share work, research, and experiences in the disability field by submitting proposals for a concurrent session, poster, or both. It notes that sessions are designed to allow flexible learning and presenting styles. At the bottom, a link says: “Learn more here: www.aucd.org/conference.” The design includes abstract colorful lines and a silhouette of Washington, DC landmarks along the bottom.

04/10/2026

We have a great schedule for leadership projects from the trainees!

04/07/2026

Emmy Ruff and Marisa Smith presented their leadership team's research project at the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association.

This project investigates the gaps in epilepsy care for children and their families while developing a handbook of resources in URLEND states.

03/30/2026

A couple more photos from Disability Policy Seminar 2026 in Washington DC. This was a great opportunity for advocacy with legislators, networking with peers, and learning sessions.

03/30/2026

Trainees and faculty enjoyed attending the Disability Policy Seminar this month in Washington DC. Great educational sessions and Hill Day visits are offered at DPS annually. Great sessions, learning, cherry blossoms blooming - a perfect time to be there.

03/30/2026

Training

Leading the Way to Our Own Health: Developing a Healthcare Advocacy Training by People with IDD, for People with IDD

Apr 14, 2026 01:00 PM MST
https://georgetown.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lBzXbesYR7K3qDyZQec1eA #/registration

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face significant disparities in access to healthcare services, and many have experienced marginalization and discrimination within service systems. This presentation will explore how we convened an inclusive work group to develop an accessible healthcare advocacy training for people with IDD. We will discuss the importance of direct patient perspectives along with the values and strategies we used to create a true partnership in the development of a participatory training curriculum. A panel of self-advocate team members will discuss our collaborative process and how inclusive partnerships promote empowerment and positive outcomes.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face significant disparities in access to healthcare services, and many have experienced marginalization and discrimination within service systems. This presentation will explore how we convened an inclusive work group to develop an acces...

03/16/2026

A training opportunity from a partner.

02/25/2026

Applications are open with information on our website at www.urlend.org. Please spread the word if you know a person with a disability or a parent of a person with a disability who might be interested. Stipends are available to support this training.

02/25/2026

Meet an AE trainee at www.urlend.org

Mac Murphy, Psychology / Clinical

Mac Murphy is a fifth-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Washington State University. She is originally from Pennsylvania and completed her bachelors degree in engineering at Dartmouth College with a concentration in applied math. After graduation, she worked in macroeconomic research and talent and recruiting strategy at Bridgewater Associates and as a field instructor for New Vision Wilderness Therapy before deciding to return to graduate school in psychology. Her primary research interests include the impacts of childhood trauma, delinquency and externalizing traits in adolescents, advanced statistics and quantitative modeling, and using virtual reality to measure risk-taking. In her clinical work, Mac is interested primarily in assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents, especially in forensic contexts. She hopes to continue these interests as a faculty member at an Academic Medical Center.

Mac is excited to learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders from an interdisciplinary perspective and connect with others in the child health field through URLEND. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and backpacking, singing in her local choir, and playing with her dog.