Utah Disability Today

IDRPP Bids Farewell to PSP VISTA Program

The Public & School Partnership (PSP) program abruptly ended late last month when its federal grant was terminated. The program leaves a hole here at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice, where it was housed. The loss is also felt at the many Utah sites where its AmeriCorps VISTA members served their communities. AmeriCorps was largely dismantled nationwide.

In the 2023-24 budget year, IDRPP's VISTA program received $170,000 in Federal grant money. PSP generated $754,000 in donations and in-kind contributions to community organizations, through the work of its 15 members. Thanks to those members’ efforts, 48,000 new clients were served in 14 Utah sites. PSP’s VISTA members also mobilized 2,000 volunteers, who contributed 30,000 hours of service at locations throughout Utah. 

Spring 2025 Graduates, Retirees and Award-Winners

Eight graduates. Three retirees. An undergraduate research award. Our staff members have been busy!

Utah's MulDiNet Leaders: The Work Isn't Done

Sessions and slides from The Multicultural Disability Conference are now available—and free. The event, held in late March, brought together professionals who sought better understanding of how to serve people and families who are experiencing disability from all backgrounds.

The event is over, but conference organizers agree the work is not done. “There's an urgent need for continued conversation," said Mindy Dokos, the project’s media manager. "The big part of our conversation, as part of this project, is how to be humble and come together and talk.”

 “It doesn't mean that we all agree,” said project director Eduardo Ortiz. “We can have disagreements and those disagreements are important to know. … If we know what we agree on, we can be more effective in different interventions that we can develop.”

Join UATP May 17 for Unified 5k

The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) invites you to join us for free at the 2025 Unified 5K Salt Lake City on May 17 at Liberty Park, 600 Harvey Milk Blvd. The race begins at 10 a.m.

The Unified 5K is built on the idea that every person deserves to compete. Whether running, walking or rolling, the event creates opportunities for people with and without disabilities to cross the finish line together. 

These 10-minute guided meditations are offered freely and those interested can sign up here. The dates and times can be found through the sign up link.

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

NEWS FROM AROUND IDRPP

We salute our Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program on a successful, first-ever "Hope on Every Hand" gala! Pictured here are Program Coordinator Cari Gongora, Services Division Associate Director Tressa Johnston, former Utah Representative Dan Johnson, and his wife, Carol Johnson. Dan was awarded the "Elevating Early Childhood" award, and Carol was recognized for her endless support over the years.