Your voice matters. Your story matters.

The Utah Legislative Session is when lawmakers make decisions that affect schools, health care, disability services, jobs, housing, and transportation. Right now, with budget cuts happening across the state, youth with disabilities and their families need to show up more than ever! Your voice can protect programs, support services, and opportunities that matter most.

Even one voice can make a difference, and youth voices are especially powerful because you know your own life best.

Who Represents You?

Utah’s legislature is made up of Representatives and Senators who are elected to listen to the people in their districts, including youth! Even if you cannot vote yet, your ideas and experiences matter.

Find your elected officials: Utah State Legislative District Maps

You can see:

• Their name and contact info
• Committees they serve on
• Bills they are working on

What Is a Bill and Why Does It Matter?

A bill is a proposed law or a change to an existing law. It can affect schools, disability services, jobs, housing, and more. Youth voices matter at every step, especially during public comment, when lawmakers hear directly from the community.

Find bills: Utah State Legislature Bills
Search by topics like: Disability, Education, Jobs, Mental Health, or Housing.

Tip: Start with one bill that matters to you.

Budget Cuts Affecting Youth in Utah

Right now, several important programs are under pressure:

• Education: Cuts could affect school programs that provide mental health support, special education, and classroom resources for students with disabilities.
• DSPD Services: Thousands of youth and families are on the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) waitlist. Funding shortfalls mean many children and youth cannot access critical services like respite care, in-home supports, and skill-building programs.
• Mental Health Programs: School-based and community mental health services are at risk due to state funding reductions and changes in federal grants, creating uncertainty for supports that help youth thrive.

Youth voices are essential to protect these programs and ensure lawmakers understand their impact.

Mental Health Supports at Risk

Mental health services, including programs in schools and community settings, are under pressure statewide. Funding fluctuations add uncertainty for youth mental health supports. Your voice can help protect and strengthen these programs.

How to Read a Bill

Bills can look long and confusing, but you don’t need to read every word. Focus on:

• The summary
• Words like “adds,” “removes,” or “changes.”
• Ask yourself: How does this affect me or people like me?

Need help? Ask a parent, teacher, or disability advocate.

How to Share Your Story

Stories from real people are more powerful than numbers. When you tell your story, lawmakers understand what life is really like for youth with disabilities.

Your story can include:

• • Who you are
  • What your life is like (school, home, work)
  • How a bill affects you
  • What you want lawmakers to do

Ways to share your story: email, call, write a short letter, or make a short video. You don’t need fancy words; your experience is enough!

Example:
“Hello, my name is Jay. I have ADHD and use a tutor to help me in school. If funding is cut, I might not get the help I need. Please keep programs like mine open.”

Why Youth With Disabilities Should Speak Up

Youth with disabilities experience school, health care, and community life in unique ways. When budgets are tight, lawmakers need to hear directly from the people most affected by their decisions.

Your story matters. When you share how a program affects your life, whether it’s therapy, school supports, respite care, or mental health services, it helps lawmakers understand the real impact of these budget choices.

Step-by-Step Youth Advocacy Checklist

1. Find your representative – Utah State Legislative District Maps
2. Pick a bill – Utah State Legislature Bills
3. Read the summary – Focus on changes and impacts
4. Think about how it affects you
5. Tell your story – Email, call, letter, or video
6. Share your voice – Public comment or community outreach
7. Follow up – Check the bill’s progress and update your message
8. Celebrate your action! – Every voice matters

Call-to-Action Button:
“Speak Up Today! Share Your Story”
Click Here to Find Your Representatives

Helpful Resources

• Utah Parent Center – Advocacy Tips for Youth
• Utah Parent Center – Transition & Self-Advocacy Resources
• Utah Parent Center – DSPD
• Utah State University: Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice
• DSPD Legislative Info: 2024
• Disability Law Center of Utah – Public Policy
• ACLU Utah – Protecting Your Rights
•  Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities (LCPD) – Effective Advocacy

Remember: With Utah’s budget cuts affecting education, DSPD services, and mental health programs, showing up and speaking out is more important than ever. Your voice matters. Your story matters. Utah needs YOU!