February 2026

Utah Disability Today

The official newsletter of the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice
Institute for Disability ribbon graphic

You received this monthly newsletter because you are a friend of the Institute for Disability. Keep reading for news, resources, events, and job openings!

NEWS

closeup of U.S. capitol building with flag

A Thank You to Advocates Everywhere


This week, Congress voted to uphold the U.S. Department of Education's role in supporting the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. According to Disability Scoop, the network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), of which IDRPP is a member, was also upheld and funded by Congress through September. We thank all those who raised their voices, told their stories and reminded policymakers that disability work affects real families and real lives.


In a guest post, writer Kirsten Barraclough reminds readers why the IDEA is important. "My cerebral palsy has both visible and invisible aspects.  I was placed in mainstream classrooms from preschool onward and loved it, but without the academic accommodations listed in my IEP, I could not have succeeded."


An adult helps a child with schoolwork

Paraeducator Conference Registration Now Open


Across the nation, teachers and students rely on paraeducators to help their students meet their Individualized Education Program goals.

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).


This year, the conference is headlined by disability filmmakers Dan and Samuel Habib, trauma-responsive education author Matthew Bowerman, and IDRPP executive director Matthew Wappett, who will present on the science of belonging.


The whole conference is designed to be “for and about paraeducators,” with low-cost registration fees and recorded sessions to support all who want to attend a conference dedicated specifically for them.


Do you know someone who could benefit from this conference? Forward this newsletter to them!

Illustration for webinar

Free Webinar for Researchers


Feb 19, 2026 10:00 AM, Mountain Time


Unless disability topics are the target research question, methodological approaches and evaluation practices often overlook considering whether participation is accessible to people with disabilities. Furthermore, from a universal design perspective, the process of ensuring evaluation participation is accessible for people with disabilities can, in turn, enhance usability for all participants.


Insights from people with disabilities are critical to shaping programming and services that genuinely meet the needs of the entire community. Register to learn practical lessons on evaluation.

marchers hold up signs for disability advocacy day

Recap of Disability Advocacy Day


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.


“Disability Advocacy Day makes the disability community in Utah more visible,” said IDRPP Executive Director Matthew Wappett. “ For many policymakers and even the public, people with significant disabilities are often invisible. … Getting people to show up and have a visible presence at the Capitol is important."

portrait of Ty Allen

IDRPP's Ty Aller Among Researchers Awarded Pilot Grants


Ty Aller, Ph.D., is a researcher for the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice, a mental health clinician and a research assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at USU. His 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.

February 2026 Community of Practice Meeting


Wednesday February 18, 2026 from 12:00 - 1:00pm

Presenter Dr. Michael Gerald

Register here.

LINKS FROM THE FIELD


Congress Just Said No to Disability Cuts

(Disability Scoop)


Utahns Rally for "Disability Advocacy Day" at the Capitol

(Utah News Dispatch)


Tips for Speaking To Your Legislators

(Fox 13 News Utah)


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Utah Assistive Technology Program Mobile Repair Van Visits Rural Utah!


To see where the van will be, or to request a stop in an area UATP doesn't yet cover, click the button below.

CAREERS WITHIN IDRPP


Visit the Work With Us page on our website!

For a look at past IDRPP trainings, visit our YouTube channel.

EVENTS

Evidence-Based Practices for Paraeducator Career Growth

Saturday Mornings with the NRCP

February 7

Find out more & register on the NRCP website.

$25 per person ($125 for six webinars, and $250 for all 12)


ACRE Employment Specialist Training - Online

Center for Employment and Inclusion

February 10

Find out more & register on the CEI Website.

$300


Stigma Surrounding Families

Time to Act ECHO: Substance Abuse

February 11

Find out more & register on the Time to Act ECHO website.

FREE


Community of Practice - Salt Lake

Center for Employment and Inclusion

February 17

Find out more & register on the CEI Website.

FREE


Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Time to Act ECHO: Mental Health

February 18

Find out more & register on the Time to Act ECHO website.

FREE


Workplace Supports Training - Online

Center for Employment and Inclusion

February 18

Find out more & register on the CEI Website.

$50


Virtual Web Accessibility Training

WebAIM

February 18-19

Find out more & register on the WebAIM website.

$600 ($480 each for groups of two or more)


Autism and Girls

Autism ECHO

February 25

Find out more & register on the Autism ECHO website.

FREE


ACE Customized Employment Training - Salt Lake

Center for Employment and Inclusion

February 25 & 26

Find out more & register on the CEI Website.

$300


Different Funding & Resources for Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology ECHO

March 3

Find out more & register on the Assistive Technology ECHO website.

FREE


The Growth Blueprint: Why Typical Development Counts - Bites & Beginnings: The Feeding Foundations

Early ECHO

March 4

Find out more & register on the Early ECHO website.

FREE


Accessibility in Technology Procurement and Use

WebAIM

March 5

Find out more & register on the WebAIM website.

$200 ($160 each for groups of two or more)


Perinatal Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health

Time to Act ECHO: Substance Abuse

March 11

Find out more & register on the Time to Act ECHO website.

FREE


Empowering Independence: Essential Strategies for Paraeducators Supporting Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities

Saturday Mornings with the NRCP

March 14

Find out more & register on the NRCP website.

$25 per person ($125 for six webinars, and $250 for all 12)

RESOURCES


NEWS FROM AROUND IDRPP


Our Utah Assistive Technology Program has launched CHI: the Community for Human Innovation. It brings together students, the community and faculty researchers to address needs that could be met with assistive technology, like a DIY therapeutic trike and a handheld ultrasound device to measure muscle atrophy.


Their video shows the impact their work has had at USU and the world beyond.


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Phone: (435) 797-1981