Accessibility & Health

February 2025

New Utah DHHS Report

The Utah Department of Health & Human Services recently published a report summarizing the perspectives of people with disabilities and caregivers throughout Utah when engaging with health services. The participants highlighted the following barriers:

Knowing these barriers experienced by people with disabilities throughout Utah will allow us to improve our inclusion efforts!

It is important to consider a few factors when deciding whether "other power-driven mobility devices", such as Segways or scooters, can safely enter public entities, such as a health department. These factors include:

• the type, size, weight, dimensions, and speed of the device;
• the volume of pedestrian traffic (which may vary at different times of the day, week, month, or year);
• the facility’s design and operational characteristics, such as its square footage, whether it is indoors or outdoors, the placement of stationary equipment, devices, or furniture, and whether it has storage space for the device if requested by the individual;
• whether legitimate safety standards can be established to permit the safe operation of the device; and
• whether the use of the device creates a substantial risk of serious harm to the environment or natural or cultural resources or poses a conflict with Federal land management laws and regulations.

Public entities cannot ask people using these devices about their disability.

However, they can ask for proof that the device is needed because of a disability.

If the person shows a valid, state-issued disability parking permit or card, that is enough proof.

If the person doesn’t have this document, but says that the device is for a mobility disability, that should also be accepted as proof, unless they do something that goes against what they said.

New Fact Sheet!

Common Myths about Non-Apparent Disabilities

By understanding and challenging common misconceptions about non-apparent disabilities, the reader can begin to reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions. By doing so, they can contribute to a more inclusive, empathetic, and supportive environment for individuals with all types of disabilities—whether visible or not.

The interview will take about one hour and will be conducted over Zoom.

Click the link to sign up and help us create better resources for your community!

Questions?

Email Elle at Rebecca.Smith@usu.edu or Dr. Chen at Chen.Chen@usu.edu.

This study has been approved by the USU IRB (Protocol #14360).