Utah Disability Today

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."

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!

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.

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)

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

RESOURCES

• 2026 Web Accessibility Predictions from WebAIM
• NCADEMI Accessibility Fundamentals (Free and self-paced)

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.