Institute For Disability at Utah State University

Research Catalyst Grant Fuels Study of “Compassion Compass” to Support Emotional Wellbeing Following Dementia Diagnosis Heather Kelley, Ph.D. and researcher at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice (IDRPP), was recently awarded a Research Catalyst grant from the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Re...

Congratulations to our very own Heather Kelley! Thanks to the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at USU for highlighting this story! Read the full story on their website: cehs.usu.edu/news/2025/co...

Researched and Practiced Advice to Preschool Teachers and Families "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 wh...

Ankita Bhattashali talks about the importance of cultural humility. Read more about Ankita's research on our website: idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/re...

Leave a comment and let us know why you think cultural humility is important!

#CulturalHumility #EducationSpecialist #teachers

Accessible Birding There are many assistive technology devices that can support birders in Cache Valley.

It's Birdability week! Looking for assistive equipment for birding this week? We have equipment availability listed on our website: idrpp.usu.edu/uatp/resourc...

#BirdabilityWeek #BirdingIsForEveryBody #AccessibleBirding #YouBelongHere #Birdability #BirdingCommunity

A woman walks past a sign on Oct. 6 indicating the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., is closed as the federal government continues its shutdown. National Public Radio (NPR). Judge pauses shutdown layoffs at more than 30 federal agencies.

Read the full article on the NPR website: www.npr.org/2025/10/15/n...

#DisabilityNews #GovernmentShutdown

A woman helps two young girls with a puzzle. Association of University Centers on Disabilities. AUCD Condemns Administration's Dismantling of the Department of Education's Disability and Civil Rights Offices.

AUCD stands for Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Read the full article on the AUCD website: www.aucd.org/news/aucd-co...

#DisabilityNews #DepartmentOfEducation #DisabilityRights

Birdability Proves Birdwatching is for Everyone IDRPP researcher Alex Schiwal shares why birdwatching is for everyone--and how you can get involved in Birdability Week! Alex Schiwal, Ph.D

From our latest blog, Alex Schiwal discusses birding and Birdability week; which is coming up this month! Read the full blog here: idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/bi...

#BirdsOfInstagram #Birdability #BirdPhotography

DDNJ Author Insights: University Centers on Developmental Disabilities 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 wit...

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.

Read the full blog on our website: idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/dd...

#UCEDD #Disability #CommunitySupport

Hands in a heart shape hold the Autism symbol. The autism symbol is a ribbon in the shape of infinity with rainbow coloring. Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Call for Decision Making Based on Quality Science and Compassion for the Autism Community.

A woman teaches a young boy how to use a clock. Association of University Centers on Disabilities. “Autistic people deserve respect and support. There are many policy and program changes HHS could pursue that would materially improve the lives of autistic people and our families. Avenues to provide suggestions have been limited.” Full article on aucd.org

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities calls for decision-making based on quality science and compassion for the autism community.
Read the full article on their website: www.aucd.org/.../leading-....
#Autism #DisabilityNews #DisabilityAdvocacy

A photo of some orange pill bottles with generic white pills spilling out of them. Association of University Centers on Disabilities. AUCD Responds to White House Announcement on Autism.

A woman watches some younger kids paint at a table. Association of University Centers on Disabilities. "Autistic people are valued members of our communities who deserve respect, support, and opportunities to thrive like everyone else. Portraying autism as a tragedy or epidemic only perpetuates stigma." Full article on aucd.org.

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities responds to the recent White House announcement on Autism.

You can read the full response on their website: www.aucd.org/news/aucd-re...

#Autism #News #Disability

A woman with a clipboard stand next to Melody, who is in a wheelchair. Guest Review: Out of My Mind by Kirsten Barraclough.

Melody smiles with a tiara on her head.

Melody and a friend make their way around a shopping mall.

Melody lays next to her dad on a blanket as they look up at something.

Kirsten Barraclough is back with another guest blog on our website! This time Kirsten reviews the 2024 film Out of My Mind.

Read the full blog on our website: idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/gu...
#Disney #CerebralPalsy #DisabilityAwareness

Birdability Week 2025. October 20th through the 26th. Join us for Birdability Week 2025. Celebrating birders with disabilities and working to make outdoor spaces and birding accessible for all.

Mark your calendars: #BirdabilityWeek2025 is October 20–26! A
week of accessible birding events, panels, and Bird(ability) Your Way!
Weekend. Join the movement: www.birdability.org/birdability-week.

Public and School Partnership booth at an event. The Herald Journal. Local AmeriCorps program returns to work after cancelled funding was restored.

Photo of IDRPP building. From The Herald Journal: "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."

Thanks to The Herald Journal for highlighting the Public and School Partnership AmeriCorps VISTA program! We are so glad they are back!

Read the full article here: www.hjnews.com/news/communi...

Matt waits to step on the Good Things Utah set.

Mathew Wappett, Executive Director at the IDRPP, stands on the set of Good Things Utah.

Matt is interviewed on camera on Good Things Utah.

Matt is interviewed on camera on Good Things Utah.

Thanks Good Things Utah for having Matt on the show!

On their social media, Good Things Utah said: "Thanks Dr. Wappett for showing us how Utah State University leads the way in disability research and inclusion!"

#disability #research #usu

Sarah Chatfield and her son Jack.

Guest blog by Sarah Chatfield on NCADEMI's website.

ncademi.org/blog/why-acc...

Herriman parent raises concern over behavioral level system for students with disabilities A behavioral level system at the Jordan School District is causing concern for a Herriman parent, as she feels it is unfair and possibly discriminates against c

Read the full story on the @kutv2news.bsky.social website:
kutv.com/news/2news-i...

Nate Crippes from the Disability Law Center, @dlcofut.bsky.social, weighed in on the conversation, give it a read!

Guest Post: The Second Half of Recovery 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 injur...

Check out our latest guest post from Julee Harris. Julee is a speech and hearing sciences major at Utah State University. Read all about Julee's recovery story on our website: idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/gu...

Thank you for sharing your story Julee!

Roseline Hill, Director of the Public and School Partnership Program. IDRPP News. IDRPP's AmeriCorp Vista Program Reinstated.

The AmeriCorp Vista program is coming back along with Roseline Hill! Roseline is the Public & School Partnership Program Director.

Read the full story on our website: idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/ID...

#americorpvistas #usu #publicandschool

Photo of the IDRPP building. Utah Public Radio. Access Utah. Federal funding for disability centers is at risk on Access Utah.

“Although we're a federally designated entity, we don't get a lot of federal money. So the money that's currently at risk is money that's called our core grant, and it's about 650,000 every year. And that 650,000 is money that comes to us, and our job, and this is actually written in the Developmental Disabilities Act, is to take that funding and to leverage it to bring in additional funding...” Access Utah.

Mathew Wappett, our Executive Director here at the IDRPP, did an interview with Tom Williams on Utah Public Radio's Access Utah.

Listen to the full interview on Utah Public Radio's website: www.upr.org/show/access-...

Photo of U.S. Department of Education building. Disability Scoop. Ed Department Preparing to Cut Millions in Special Education Funding, Advocates Warn.

Disability Scoop has the latest news on the U.S. Department of Education and their plans to cut funds. Check out the full article on the Disability Scoop website.

www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/08/18/e...

#disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #disabilityadvocate

Opinion: Why UCEDDs are essential for Utah's disability infrastructure Proposals to eliminate dedicated funding for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) are grave threats to our communities.

In a guest editorial for the Deseret News, Dr. Mathew Wappett, shares his opinion on why University Centers for Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) are so important to our community.

Read the full article on the Deseret News website: www.deseret.com/opinion/2025...

@deseret.com.web.brid.gy

USU’s Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice fears elimination of core funding With the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ 2026 fiscal report proposing the elimination of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs nationwide - a theme in President Donald Trump’...

Mathew Wappett, Executive Director of the IDRPP gave a presentation that was covered by The Herald Journal. Core funding is at risk for centers like The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice.

Read the full article on the Herald Journal's website:

www.hjnews.com/news/communi...

Disability research center at USU at risk of losing funding A major disability research and training center at Utah State University is at risk of losing its core funding, leaving its future uncertain.

Mathew Wappett, Executive Director of the IDRPP, did an interview on the KSL News Radio. The Federal Government is considering cutting funding for centers like the IDRPP.

Read more about it on the KSL News Radio website: kslnewsradio.com/utah/disabil...

A 2% federal cut to this Utah disability center could have an oversized impact The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice could lose its core grant starting next year — funds that allow the institute to gain access to a much larger portion of its budget.

Utah Public Radio recently interview our Executive Director, Matthew Wappett. Matt discusses the latest updates on the federal budget for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

Check out the full article on the Utah Public Article's website: www.upr.org/utah-news/20...

Photos of a blind man and a deaf woman. Call to action! Support the Intervener and DeafBlind Community.

The proposed FY26 budget for the U.S. Department of Eduction aims to eliminate many programs that support children and young adults who are DeafBlind.

Here is a link to the newsletter: myemail.constantcontact.com/Call-to-Acti...

#deafblind #blindness #deafness

Photo of capitol building. Call to Action: Threats to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, or UCEDDs, are in trouble. Read how the One Big Beautiful Bill and Federal Budget are impacting places like the IDRPP and other UCEDDs.

idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/th...

#disabilityrights #disability

A young man smiling. Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education. Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Transition Planning Under IDEA in 2025.

TAESE stands for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education.

Read how TAESE is working on helping transition periods for persons with disabilities: idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/st...

STEM Program For Students With Disabilities Ends 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, te...

Funding for the program was ended on May 2nd, 2025. STEM students from the program share their experiences.

Read the full blog on our website: idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2025/st...

@ustatescience.bsky.social

A young boy in a hospital bed holds a teddy bear. Disability Law Center. How Medicaid Cuts Hurt People With Disabilities.

A woman in a wheelchair attempts to get on a bus. "If HR 1 passes in its current form, minority staff of the Joint Economic Committee estimate 31, 804 Utahns would lose Medicaid."

“Medicaid is more than low-income health insurance. In addition to doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and medical equipment, it is frequently the only option for Utahns who need intensive mental health care or long-term services and supports not usually available in the private market.” Check out the full article on Disability Law Center's Website! disabilitylawcenter.org

The Disability Law Center is keeping us up to date on the recent Medicaid news. Check out the full article on their website.

disabilitylawcenter.org/general/how-...

Photo of a young man with down syndrome in a university graduation gown and cap. Association of University Centers on Disabilities. AUCD Responds to budget proposal that eliminates university centers of excellence in developmental disabilities.

A young woman with down syndrome uses a tablet while sitting on a couch. “The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is outraged by the release of the President’s budget, which, despite advocacy from the disability community, Dear Colleague Letters with bipartisan support, and a commitment from Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to protect the Developmental Disabilities Network, explicitly proposes the elimination of the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs).”

A nurse evaluates an infant. “The Administration’s elimination of anything labeled as “DEI” is dangerous and fundamentally mischaracterizes disability rights. UCEDDs are not political initiatives—they are congressionally-authorized programs and required by law in every state and territory that, for over 60 years, have enjoyed bipartisan support and have provided vital services, conducted evidence-based research, and trained thousands of professionals in every state and territory to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families.”

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities responds to the recent release of the President's Budget. The budget proposes the elimination of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs).

Read the full article on AUCD's website: www.aucd.org/news/aucd-re...

Donald Trump speaks to an audience.

A woman sits on a wheelchair looking sad. “The Trump administration wants to eliminate the nation’s university centers on developmental disabilities and rethink the way Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs are funded.”

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice building. “Known as UCEDDs, the centers have existed in every state for more than 60 years and provide everything from early intervention programs and autism evaluations to training on developmental disabilities for families, self-advocates and professionals in the community.”

A young boy in a wheelchair holds a teddy bear. “The administration released a budget summary in early May calling for Congress to cut non-defense discretionary spending... That document lacked specifics, but it fueled concern among disability advocates who were already on alert after a widely circulated budget document was leaked from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

This article by Disability Scoop addresses the Trump administration's call for budget changes to disability programs.

Read the full article on Disability Scoop's website: www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/06/05/t...