Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice

03/27/2026

🚀 We’re excited to share our upcoming April ECHO sessions! More learning, more connection, and more opportunities to grow together. Be sure you’re registered so you can join the ECHO community this month.
Click to register and step into April's ECHO session: https://buff.ly/wMTDnbx

03/27/2026

Mary Ellen Heiner is a Coordinator of Programs here at the IDRPP. Mary Ellen wrote a book review for Jessica Cox's book titled "Disarm Your Limits: The Flight Formula to Lift You to Success and Propel You To the Next Horizon."

Here is the link to Mary Ellen's full book review: https://idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2026/book-review-disarm-your-limits

Jessica Cox holds the world record for the first woman to get a pilot's license without arms. Jessica will be visiting the Utah State University campus next week! You can come listen to Jessica Cox at The Student Longe on the USU campus on Monday March 30th at 7 PM!

03/26/2026

Our very own Joana Franco was apart of the Human Flourishing Summit at Harvard! Joana presented on 'Regenerative Learning for Whole Human Intelligence' which is a framework that supports human flourishing in education by awakening and integrating all of our intelligence to learn and grow.

Joana is a Mindfulness Coach and Instructional Designer here at the IDRPP. Joana facilitates mindfulness courses, so be on the lookout for announcements about those!

03/25/2026

Register: https://bit.ly/march2026cop

For our Community of Practice Meeting in March, Brad Jones from Utah Dept. of Workforce Services will share an introduction to vocational rehabilitation and how they help people with disabilities around the state! Brad has personal and professional experience gaining access to employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Come learn with us!

These meetings are geared toward Direct Service Providers and other professionals/students in Utah who work with people with disabilities who experience complex life contexts.

03/24/2026

03/23/2026

"Utah’s prevalence of substance abuse disorder is nuanced; its SUD rate is the lowest in the nation, at 14 percent (18 percent is the national average). But Utah’s death rates from drug overdose have risen over the past 10 years, peaking at 596 in 2023. Rates are highest in north eastern and central eastern Utah, in non-urban counties."

Read the full article on our website: https://idrpp.usu.edu/blog/2026/IDRPP-echo-takes-on-substance-use-stigma

Project ECHO- USU IDRPP

03/23/2026

(Español abajo) A huge thank you to New Horizons Beauty College for hosting our "Hair Help" activity! Families loved learning how to care for their child’s hair, and the free haircuts were such a thoughtful gift. We can't wait to do this again!

¡Gracias a New Horizons Beauty College por alojar nuestra actividad "ayuda con cabello"! Las familias encantaron aprender cómo cuidar el cabello de sus hijos, y los cortes de pelo gratis eran un regalo tan apreciado. ¡No podemos esperar a hacerlo de nuevo!

03/20/2026

Have you joined our Assistive Technology Solutions ECHO yet?
Each session is filled with practical strategies, real‑world solutions, and meaningful conversations—just like the insight featured here!
If you haven’t registered, now is the perfect time. Click the link and become part of a supportive, knowledge‑sharing community: https://buff.ly/DNzKXlT

03/19/2026

Come join us at the non-profit career fair at the TSC at USU today from 11-2pm!

03/18/2026

Jessica Cox is the world's first armless female pilot. Jessica will be visiting Utah State University and presenting at The Student Center on the USU campus on Monday, March 30th from 7 to 9 PM. Don't miss it!

Jessica's visit is part of USU's Aviation Week that runs from March 30th through April 3rd.
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Jessica's Instagram:

03/18/2026

Jessica Cox is the world's first armless female pilot. Jessica will be visiting Utah State University and presenting at The Student Center on the USU campus on Monday, March 30th from 7 to 9 PM. Don't miss it!

Jessica's visit is part of USU's Aviation Week that runs from March 30th through April 3rd.

USU Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

03/18/2026

📸 A candid glimpse of the ECHO team behind the progress. Official photos are on the way, but here’s a quick phone capture from the day. Lots of exciting updates ahead - stay tuned!