@uiowa-lhpdc
Research + evaluation at U of Iowa College of Law Advancing evidence-based policies and universally designed communities to eliminate disparities and support health, stability, and independence for people of all abilities. https://lhpdc.law.uiowa.edu/
Our evaluations spotlight structural barriers, legal compliance gaps, and opportunities for system redesign across health, legal, and social services.
We're a research center at the U of Iowa College of Law committed to strengthening upstream, coordinated care and reducing costly crisis reactions.
The share of people with severe mental illness in state psychiatric hospitals accused of serious crimes has risen steeply. The shift has all but halted the possibility of care before a catastrophic crisis. n.pr/4p9FPhQ
Professional headshot of Crystal Aguero-Norman smiling in front of a red brick wall. She has shoulder-length dark hair, wears glasses, a burgundy blazer over a white top, and hoop earrings. Text reads “Meet Crystal” and “Legal Research Assistant.”
Three photos of Crystal Aguero-Norman: lying with a small dog, sitting outdoors at a scenic overlook, and holding a coffee mug indoors. Accompanying text lists her education and areas of study.
Crystal stands on a rocky overlook with a wide desert landscape behind her, smiling at the camera. Text highlights fun facts including “coffee-fueled scholar,” hometown Winston-Salem, NC, zodiac sign Leo, and hobbies like crocheting and baking.
Meet Crystal Aguero-Norman (she/her), Legal Research Assistant at the Law Health Policy Disability Center 💛 Wake Forest alum + UIowa Law grad, coffee-fueled scholar, library dweller, and accessibility advocate. We’re lucky to have her!
lhpdc.law.uiowa.edu
#disability #Iowa #LHPDC #uiowa #research
Text in a fun font says “The Original Disability Holiday Gift Guide 2025 by Emily Ladau & Kate Caldwell.” Under the text, joyful penguins, all with different colored ice skates, are skating among snowy trees and cozy gingerbread-esque houses. Each penguin has a number on them, indicating a different gift guide from 2016-2024.
🎁 The 2025 Disability Holiday Gift Guide is LIVE! Shop disabled-owned small businesses, explore books on disability, and support disability-led causes—all curated by Kate Caldwell & Emily Ladau. Please share widely!
Link: tr.ee/l-ilLWXWca
Wishing everyone a warm, safe, & healthy holiday season. ✨
A Mental Health First Aid Training Helps Address Growing Rural Mental Health Crisis
#NBHAPIndustryNews
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/a-mental-health-first-aid-training-helps-address-growing-rural-mental-health-crisis/
Subsidies for the Affordable Care Act appear set to expire for millions of Americans at the end of the year after competing health care related bills failed to advance in the Senate.
New court documents reveal a list of nearly 200 words or phrases the Trump administration told Head Start programs it does not want to see in their funding requests. n.pr/497P6C4
A graphic introducing a team member from the Law Health Policy Disability Center. The top section has a yellow banner with black text reading “LAW HEALTH POLICY DISABILITY CENTER.” Below, on the right side, black text reads “ANGIE WRIGHT ~SHE/HERS~.” The left side shows a cropped photo of a person with dark wavy hair. The bottom section has bold black text saying “MEET ANGIE” and smaller yellow text outlined in black reading “ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST.” Decorative starburst and sparkle icons are placed around the design, and a black arrow icon appears at the bottom right.
A graphic with a yellow background featuring three separate photos arranged horizontally: Two adults dressed formally standing in front of a white curtain with greenery. A wedding photo with two adults and two children, one adult holding a child, another holding a bouquet. A family dressed in skeleton costumes standing outdoors near a car and autumn leaves. Below the photos, black text reads: COLLEGE/UNIVERSITIES ATTENDED: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA AND UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA MAJORS/AREAS OF STUDY: BACHELORS IN SOCIOLOGY, MASTERS IN SOCIAL WORK, PHD IN SOCIAL WORK A black arrow icon appears at the bottom right.
A graphic with a yellow background featuring a photo of two adults standing outdoors near a wooden fence and tables. The text above the photo reads “MOM ★ WIFE ★ RESEARCHER” in black. Below the photo, black text lists details: HOMETOWN: CLINTON, IOWA ZODIAC SIGN: CANCER WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME: WATCH MURDER MYSTERIES Decorative yellow shapes frame the design, and a black arrow icon appears at the bottom left.
Meet Angie Wright, Assistant Research Scientist at the LHPDC! 🌟 From Clinton, IA, Angie holds degrees in Sociology & Social Work (PhD). She’s a mom, wife, and researcher who loves murder mysteries. Learn more about our team: lhpdc.law.uiowa.edu
#LHPDC #uiowa #research #policy #iowa #disability
The 2026 SARTAC Fellowship is now open! This fellowship supports self-advocates in leading projects that advance disability rights and community inclusion.
Learn more:
https://selfadvocacyinfo.org/2026-fellowship-application-copy/
@nicole1985.bsky.social
PA | Lancaster County police departments pairing with addiction, mental health specialists in state-funded program
#NBHAPIndustryNews
https://bit.ly/4a2IohJ
“What about those who are isolated? Those who are in hospital or managing a chronic health condition or disability that means they can’t participate in the world in the same way as other teenagers their age?”
“Able-bodied” may sound like a medical determination, but, as disability activist
@imanibarbarin.bsky.social says, it’s really just a vague way “to signal this idea that disability can be seen.”
mindflamer on tumblr - trying to get disability benefits is less like applying for aid and more like being put on trial for a crime you didn't commit
Nnena Kalu becomes first artist with a learning disability to win Turner prize
Disability rights are human rights.
Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are thrilled to announce Hilda Macheso, a Malawian disability rights advocate, as the recipient of the HRW Marca Bristo Fellowship for Courageous Leadership in Disability Rights.
The Trump administration has fired, or tried to fire, many of the federal staff who manage and enforce federal disability law in schools. n.pr/48udkF5
Graphic introducing Tessa Heeren as Research Manager at the Law Health Policy Disability Center. The design features a professional portrait of Tessa, text stating “Meet Tessa” in bold black letters, “Research Manager” in yellow, and pronouns “She/Her.” The background includes yellow and white sections with black decorative starburst and sparkle elements, plus a black arrow icon.
Graphic with three photos in rounded rectangles: one shows a person engaged in a hands-on activity with equipment, another shows a person standing at a podium on a stage with a presentation backdrop, and the third shows two people posing together indoors. Below the photos, text reads: “College/Universities Attended: Iowa State & University of Iowa” “Majors/Areas of Study: Bachelor’s in Advertising (Psychology minor), Master’s in Social Work (Certificate in Public Health).” Design includes yellow and white background with black decorative elements and a black arrow icon.
Graphic featuring a person leaning on a wooden railing overlooking a rocky waterfall in an outdoor setting. The design includes yellow and white background with starburst accents. Text reads: “Storyteller ★ Cyclist ★ Friend” “Hometown: Toledo, Iowa” “Zodiac Sign: Capricorn” “What do you like to do in your free time: All kinds of things, since I mostly work at a computer, I try to stay active. I love biking, swimming, disc golf, and lifting weights. I also like reading books and writing.” A black arrow icon appears at the bottom left.
Meet Tessa Heeren! 🎉
Tessa is our Research Manager at LHPDC. She studied at Iowa State & University of Iowa, earning degrees in Advertising and Social Work. Outside work, Tessa loves biking, swimming, disc golf, and reading.
#LHPDC #uiowa #advocate #research #equity #justice #policy #iowa
Today marks #IDPD2025! At UIowa’s Law, Health Policy & Disability Center, we strive to foster disability‑inclusive societies for advancing social progress, the UN theme for this year. Join us in advancing equity & inclusion. Learn more: www.un.org/en/observanc...
#policy #research #equity #LHPDC
Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. At UIowa’s Law, Health Policy & Disability Center, we work to advance equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Learn more: lhpdc.law.uiowa.edu
#IDPD #disabilityrights #inclusion #LHPDC #uiowa #iowa #equity #policy #disabilities #research
There’s an illustration of the globe inside of the ASAN logo. Text above reads: Today is International Day of Person with Disabilities. Text below reads: ASAN works to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community. Today, on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate disabled people worldwide.
ASAN works to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are celebrating disability rights movement work worldwide.
Yes Pearl, we agree!
Persons with disabilities need to be involved in making decisions within the health sector.
This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, learn more and help push for truly inclusive health systems 👉bit.ly/3SJBjbW #HealthForAll
NPR highlights how diversion programs can better serve people with cognitive disabilities in the justice system, work that aligns with out Law, Health Policy & Disability Center mission to advance equity at the University of Iowa.
#disabilityrights #justice #uiowa #policy #iowa #equity #LHPDC
We believe systemic barriers (like criminalizing mental illness or restrictive asset limits) are policy choices. Our work strives toward universal design, access, and collective liberation. #evaluation #disabilityrights #LHPDC #uiowa #policy #iowa #disability #research #equity #justice
Our research prioritizes the voices of people with lived experience and their support networks. We reject undervaluing people with disabilities everyone’s worth is far beyond income or employment.
#inclusion #dignity #LHPDC #uiowa #research #iowa #policy #evaluation #equity #disability
At LHPDC, we design and run both qualitative and quantitative evaluations to understand process and outcomes. We value science + real people.
#evaluation #evidencebasedpolicy #LHPDC #uiowa #equity #disability #research #disabilityjustice #iowa #policy
✨ Welcome to the LHPDC on Bluesky! We’re advancing disability equity through research, policy, and community partnership in Iowa and beyond. Follow along for updates on access, advocacy, and the work happening across our state.
🖤💛
#disability #justice #Iowa #LHPDC #uiowa #research #policy
