Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice

10/09/2025

Oct. 9 is Ageism Awareness Day. Let’s . Learn more on their website: https://asaging.org/ageism-awareness

10/08/2025

From our latest blog, Alex Schiwal discusses birding and Birdability week; which is coming up this month! Read the full blog here: https://idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/birdability-proves-birdwatching-is-for-everyone

Here is an excerpt from Alex's blog:

"Birding has been great for my mental health over the years; it is an activity I can (and will) do anywhere and anytime. It is also an activity that can be shared with everybody, in a way that works for them. This is one of the reasons I was thrilled to join the board of a group called Birdability this year. Birdability is a non-profit organization that is working to get more people into birding so they can experience all the enjoyment too. Equally important, Birdability is working in multiple ways to improve the experience of birding and make birding more accessible for people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and mental health conditions.

Now is a great time to start learning more about Birdability, since we have our annual Birdability Week - October 20th-26th – you can go to virtual events online with amazing guests, join us on social media for daily events and contests, and attend or create accessible birding events near you!"

10/08/2025

10/07/2025

Episode 18 is out of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal Author Insights podcast. Mathew Wappett, director of the IDRPP, was joined by Dr. Derek Nord and Dr. Randall Owen. Derek Nord, Ph.D is the director of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University. Randall Owen, Ph.D is the director of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities.

In this episode they discuss the value of services and research done by their centers for the communities. Read the full blog on our website: https://idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/ddnj-insights-university-centers-developmental-disabilities

10/07/2025

Check this out!

10/07/2025

10/06/2025

🛠️ Strengthening resilience is key to sustaining impactful work in the substance use field.
This Wednesday, our Substance Use Network ECHO offers a dynamic training focused on building resilience.
From managing stress to fostering recovery-oriented environments, this session is packed with tools you can use right away.
📅 Don’t miss out—click the link below ⬇️ to register for October's ECHO session!
https://iecho.org/public/program/PRGM1729716035051TCSLR779AW

10/06/2025

This week is World Mental Health day! World Mental Health Day will take place on the Utah State University campus tomorrow, October 7th, from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Our very own Joana Franco will be there from 11 AM to 1 PM offering mindful breath guidance for those in attendance at the event! Joana is an Instructional Designer here at the IDRPP and facilitates many different mindfulness courses!

The event will take place at the TSC Plaza on the USU Logan campus. You can find Joana there! Don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn about mindfulness!

10/06/2025

The Utah Pyramid Model helps us create safe, supportive spaces for every student.

10/06/2025

💗 Happy Friday, mamas! Whether it’s peekaboo, puddle jumping, or dancing in the kitchen — your little ones are reminding you daily that play is powerful. Embrace the mess, the giggles, and the magic. You’re doing amazing. ✨

💗 ¡Feliz viernes, mamás! Ya sea jugando al escondite, saltando en charcos o bailando en la cocina — tus pequeños te recuerdan cada día que el juego es poderoso. Abraza el desorden, las risas y la magia. Lo estás haciendo increíble. ✨

10/05/2025

Before we get too deep into October, let's throwback to the Jump the Moon Foundation event in September, featuring Bennie the cat!

Bennie is a real-live model who showed up in the bushes, homeless, near the Jump the Moon location. He is very friendly and travels with Jump the Moon when they go on location to teach art.

More photos show Mathew Wappett doing an interview, as well as checking out some of the art at Jump the Moon! It was a great event!

10/03/2025

Thanks for sharing!

Dr. Randall Owen, Executive Director of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) at the University of Nevada, Reno, is featured on the latest episode of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal (DDNJ) podcast! 🎙️

He joined Dr. Derek Nord, Executive Director of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, to talk about their paths through the UCEDD system, the impact of UCEDDs in their communities, and what makes this network so unique across the country.

👉 Tune in now at https://shorturl.at/ydnr7