The Utah Parent Center receives many requests to distribute or advertise research and research surveys to our constituency through our email list.  We have set up this web page to provide links to those opportunities to those who may be interested in participating.  Some surveys or opportunities that are provided by our partners or funders may also be sent directly to the email list.

Current Opportunities

    • Parent Empowerment Project – Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
      Utah Regional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (URLEND) program is conducting an online research study focused on understanding parents with intellectual disabilities in their parenting journey. We believe that their unique perspective and experiences can contribute significantly to the success of our project. Parent’s participation in this study is invaluable, as it will help us gain insights that can positively impact the lives of parents with intellectual disabilities.  Contact Hailee by email at hailee.hill@utah.edu or call 307-689-8893
      Learn More: https://utahparentcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/5-1.png

 

  • Family Collaboration on Video Based Learning, University of Maryland, College of Education
    Tvisha Vyas, Ph.D. Student Special Education  Flyer
    Parents of a 3-17 year old child/youth with autism who has an older peer-type family member (e.g. siblings, cousins, etc.) to look at supporting peer-type family members and children/youth with autism to use video-based learning to practice everyday skills.
  • Parents of Youth with Intellectual Disabilities and Experiences with Preventative Health Care, UCLA School of Nursing
    Lauren Clark and Dorothy Wiley, RN PhD
    Parents of a child who is 9-22 years with an intellectual disability will be interviewed by a trained nurse-researcher about healthcare decisions you make for your child with an intellectual disability.  After intake screening, 1 to 1 1/2 hour interview will take place over the internet via Zoom.  Optional second interview may be offered.  $50compensation , per interview. Call or text 310-292-8466 to volunteer.   Research Flyer
  • Visual Impairment Research, Multi-University Consortium Teacher Preparation Programs in Sensory Impairments
    University of Utah, Chris Bischke, PhD. and Alexis Redford, M.Ed.
    You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Chris Bischke, Ph.D. and Alexis Redford, M.Ed. at the University of Utah. The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of the transition to Unified English Braille (UEB) from the perspectives of involved individuals.  The goal is to acquire an understanding of the impact of the transition, identify supports for students, states/territories and current TVIs.  For this study, participants will be asked to: Complete an online survey (less than 10 minutes) and,
    if you are willing, participate in one individual interview via phone or Zoom (less than 30 minutes).  To indicate your consent to participate in this study, and to begin the survey, please click the following link:
    Parent Survey:TVI Survey: 
    Administrator Survey:
    University VI Program Faculty Survey:
    Braille Transcriber/Paraprofessional Survey: 
  • Parent Focus Group: DSPD & University of Utah
    • DSPD is working with the University of Utah to learn about the unique needs of parents and primary caregivers of children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. DSPD and the University of Utah will conduct focus groups to discuss (1) the rewards and challenges of caregiving, (2) the programs and services that make caregiving sustainable, and (3) the impacts of caregiving on employment.
    • To be eligible for these focus groups, you must have a child or dependent with an intellectual or developmental disability who is between 5 and 25 years old. Space is limited.
    • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXszE0fl3oPz54gwb70VIPJTdJn8U8Jrsa0T-krs8fPZFS_A/viewform
  • Vascular Health and Risk Factors in Children with Down Syndrome
    University of Utah – Primary Children’s Hospital, Division of Pedatric Cardiology
    A study for children with Down Syndrome between the ages of 10-18 which will help us understand the risk factors for heart attack and stroke affect the blood vessels of children with Down syndrome. This may help us to better understand how to prevent heart attach and stroke in these children in the future.  Children who qualify will be seen for a single study visit that lasts about 4 hours at Primary Children’s Hospital.  The study will measure the health of the large blood vessels using ultrasound and non-invasive pressure sensors.  There will be a blood draw to measure markers of blood lipids, glucose and inflammation.  Height, weight and circumference and blood pressure will also be collected.  For more information, please contact Andrea Curless at 801-587-9039 or at andrea.curless@hsc.utah.edu
  • Infants Needed for Study at Brigham Young University
    Dr. Rebecca Lundwall, Cognitive Development Lab, BYU IRB# X2019-427
    We are collecting data from infants who are between 15 and 22 months old and either have: An older, full biological sibling with ASD, or children without a relative with an ASD diagnosis. The study involves a fecal sample, a hair sample, a computer task, and questionnaires.  Earn between $40 and $175 depending on the participation category.  Please contact cogndevelopment@gmail.com or by phone at 801-422-5977.
  • Support Parent-Adolescent Relationships and Communication (ND-SPARC) Project
    The Notre Dame SPARC Project
    Over the course of a four-week program, families in the SPARC project get information about the conflict and how it can impact marital, parent-child, and sibling relationships, as well as information on how to resolve conflict and have more productive conversations as a couple and with their typically developing teens.
    Participation also includes:  Access to research-based information about family communication and conflict, contributing to research by completing surveys and Zoom sessions with our team, and the chance to earn up to $370 for completing the program
    Who is eligible to participate?  Couples who are married living together with: 1) A typically developing child between the ages
    of 10 and 18 AND 2) A Child of any age who has an intellectual or developmental disability.
  • The Relationship of Adaptive Clothing on the Social Participation and Self-Esteem of Adolescents with Disabilities
    Emalee Brown and Dr. Lacee Boschetto, Utah State University
    If your child is between the ages of 13-17, and is someone that fits the criteria of the study population, your child is asked to participate in the study. The study population includes, but is not limited to, the following situations: Currently uses a wheelchair, crutches, braces, or other mobility devices, Currently has a port or colostomy bag, Has other disabilities that affect use of their limbs or torso and/or Has other physical disabilities or impairments that require, or would benefit from, the use of altered or adapted clothing.  This survey is online through Qualtrics, and is designed to provide information on clothing, self-esteem, and social participation of adolescents with disabilities or impairments. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes. No follow-up commitment is required. If your child is not physically able to complete the survey by themselves, you may provide assistance in answering the questions. Children that are not mentally capable of forming their own responses are excluded from this study and do not need to participate.
  • Care for Utah’s Rare
    Abigail Isaac, and I’m a co-creator of the Care for Utah’s Rare movement
    Our end goal is to increase funding for disabled children in Utah. Specifically, expanding the reach of the MCCW (Medically Complex Children’s Waiver). According to the Kaiser Foundation, Utah provides support for only 15% of all medically complex children. It is not enough.  We plan to put pressure on the state legislature by creating a national movement through social media, and hopefully news networks. As my state representative, Ray Ward said, “They’re not going to do anything unless there is public outcry.”  What we need is people who can make noise. We need resources and facts.  We would love for medically complex families all over the state to join us. We want people, and our government, to understand that life is hard for us. We want them to understand that there are families who are fleeing our state because they can not afford to keep their children alive here.  We’d love for you to follow our account, share our posts, and fill out our survey.
  • University of Nebraska Lincoln: Does your child use AAC? UNL wants to hear from you! We are recruiting parents to complete an online survey about their child’s play and communication skills. Those who thoroughly complete the survey will be compensated $60 for their time. Who can participate? Parents/ Legal Guardians who: are 3-8 years of age, live in the United States, have a diagnosis of Autism or Cerebral Palsy, use high-tech AAC to communicate. What is required? Screening call to determine eligibility (5 minutes) and complete an online survey (30 minutes). To get started, contact Drs. Ciara Ousley and Kevin Pitt at: cousley2@unl.edu or kevin.pitt@unl.edu    Research Flyer