Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice

03/14/2026

Utah State Today covers a new wellbeing survey across communities in Utah. Our very own researchers here at the IDRPP helped make the new survey.
https://weba.im/utah-state-today-wellbeing-survey

From the Utah State Today article:
"Residents across Utah have the opportunity this spring to weigh in on how life is going in their own communities through the Utah Wellbeing Project, now in its seventh year tracking feedback on everything from social connection to safety."

"This year’s survey includes a new questions to better understand experiences among individuals with disabilities, made possible by collaboration with Ty Aller and Heather Kelley from the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice at USU."

Utah State University

03/12/2026

Read the full article on the Utah News Dispatch website: https://weba.im/program-loses-license-utah-news-dispatch

From the Utah News Dispatch:

"State regulators have revoked a Utah company’s license to provide day treatment after police said three men with disabilities died after they were left in a running van in an employee’s home garage. But the business still has a contract with the state to provide other sorts of services."

Disability Law Center, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

03/10/2026

WHAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CEREBRAL PALSY..
"CP develops in approximately three out of 1000 living births. In my case I was born 2 months early weighing 3 lbs and spent one month in Nicu! CP is a condition that affects movement and muscle tone. The exact cause in many cases is unknown but the disorder occurs when there is abnormal developments or damage to areas in the brain that control motor function. What the public needs to realize is to encourage people with ALL disabilities to realize their dreams without putting limits on their hopes!!"

Thanks for sharing with us Jossilyn Anderson!!!

03/09/2026

"I have witnessed firsthand the indispensable work the DLC performs every day. The DLC ensures that people with disabilities can live, learn and work in the communities of their choice, free from abuse, neglect and discrimination.” Matthew Wappett, Executive Director of the IDRPP, writes about the importance of the Disability Law Center in Utah.

Read the full article on The Salt Lake Tribune website: https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2026/03/04/voices-why-utah-must-save/

03/05/2026

ABOUT ME💚
My name is Jossilyn Anderson I'm 19 and a sophomore at USU. I work part-time at The Junction, which is a dining service on campus. I also own my own photography business which I started in 2022. I enjoy being active and going to the sports academy several times a week and hanging out with my friends. In order for me to be independent I schedule "connect call-a-ride" which is a public transportation.
I love to travel and have been to Texas and the beaches in california. I've enjoyed road trips to Las Vegas and many concerts! I always look forward to Summer when I go to our beach house at Bear Lake and also look forward to the fair and rodeo each year. I love animals including my uncles horses and cows and my two dogs at home.
I plan on graduating in May 2028 and continuing photography and working at usu. I'm hoping in the future of possibly living independently with CNAs and some roommates and continuing advocating for me and others with disabilities and special needs!

Watch out for Jossilyn's next post on Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!

03/05/2026

03/04/2026

03/03/2026

(Español abajo) Are you a dad who needs support in Cache County? Do you have a child ages 0-6? Join our Dads are Rad fatherhood support group! Come get to know other dads, connect to resources, and find support with a variety of fatherhood topics. Email Heather at heather.russell@usu.edu for more information.

¿Eres un padre en el condado de Cache que necesita apoyo? ¿Tienes un hijo de 0 a 6 años? ¡Únete a nuestro grupo de apoyo para la paternidad de Dads are Rad! Ven a conocer a otros padres, conecta con recursos y encuentra apoyo con una variedad de temas relacionados con la paternidad. Envía un correo a Heather a heather.russell@usu.edu para más información.

03/03/2026

Episode 20 of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal is out! Matthew Wappett, Executive Director of the IDRPP, sits down with Christine Pisani and Libby Oseguera to talk about Developmental Disability Councils in Idaho and Utah.

Listen to the whole episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the DDNJ Author Insights Podcast page: https://ddnjauthorinsights.podbean.com/

You can also read our blog about it on our website: https://idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2026/ddnj_podcast_episode_20_dd_council_in_idaho_utah

Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities

03/02/2026

Andy Barlow is a representative from the Utah Independent Living Center representing the youth. Andy shares her thoughts on Disability Advocacy Day and the importance of having a voice.

In case you missed Disability Advocacy Day, you can find an archive of the event on our website: https://idrpp.usu.edu/disability-advocacy-day-archive/

03/01/2026

Special Olympics Utah is hosting their 2nd Annual Salt Lake Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Glendale Middle School. This free, family-friendly event is designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, with a strong focus on removing barriers to preventive care and connecting people to trusted local resources.

The fair will offer free health screenings and services, including primary care, vision, dental, physical therapy, podiatry, health promotion, and hearing. Participants will also receive free prescription glasses, fluoride treatments, ear cleanings, and other no-cost supports. On-site language interpreters will be available to ensure families can fully access services and information.

In addition, more than 70 community vendors and partners will be present to share resources, provide referrals, and connect families to ongoing supports. We’ll also provide a free lunch, healthy snacks, and giveaways to ensure the day is welcoming and accessible.

Register your table on the Special Olympics website: https://lnkd.in/ggAUXVX5

02/27/2026

This year, the Disability Law Center has been the subject of a senate joint resolution asking for Utah’s governor to 'initiate a formal review of the designation of the Disability Law Center as Utah's P&A agency and, if warranted, undertake redesignation consistent with federal guidelines.'

The DLC was also the subject of a critical commentary by Cicero Institute representatives in the publication Utah News Dispatch. The following is a response from Adina Zahradnikova and Nate Crippes of the DLC, also published in Utah News Dispatch. It highlights the work they have done in the state of Utah to hold institutions to account.

Read the full article on the Utah News Dispatch website: https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/20/utahns-with-disabilities-dont-need-more-enemies/