The Utah Association for Intellectual Disabilities (UAID) is dedicated to supporting Utah individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.
UAID is a grassroots effort that relies primarily on volunteers and donations to serve this mission.
Board of Directors
Joyce Whalen – Board President
Joyce Whalen is a passionate advocate for community causes and the current Board President of a prominent organization. Known for her leadership and commitment to meaningful change, Joyce has been instrumental in driving initiatives that support those in need. This year, in celebration of her birthday, Joyce chose to create a fundraiser benefiting Autism Speaks, encouraging friends and family to contribute donations instead of giving traditional gifts. Her dedication to supporting individuals with autism and their families reflects her deep commitment to making a positive impact on the community. With a strong background in fundraising and advocacy, Joyce continues to champion important causes, using her platform to raise awareness and inspire others to give back.
Nonie Lancaster – Board Secretary
Nonie Lancaster is a seasoned professional based in Salt Lake City, Utah, with extensive experience in consulting, training, and advocacy. She is currently the Lead Consultant and Owner at Human Capabilities, a role she has held since 1998. In addition to her work at Human Capabilities, Nonie has been involved in training at Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business since 2007. Her career also includes significant contributions as an Outreach and Benefit Specialist at the State of Utah (1999-2002) and as an Advocate and Intake Worker at the Disability Law Center (1997-1999). Earlier in her career, she served as a Quality Enhancement Interviewer at the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (1994-1997). Nonie brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to her roles and has built a strong reputation for her work across various organizations and initiatives.
She is also listed with multiple email contacts on RocketReach.
Kathy Scott, RN, PhD – Executive Director
Kathy Scott is a seasoned healthcare executive and consultant recognized for her ability to drive transformative change in complex healthcare settings. With a strategic, systems-focused approach, she works closely with senior leaders to chart a course for continuous organizational growth. Kathy excels at fostering brand development, diversifying revenue streams, and adapting to shifting market demands. She is adept at restructuring both business and clinical processes, leading to substantial operational enhancements and increased engagement. Known for her ability to lead with a mix of humor, empathy, and poise, Kathy inspires teams to reach their full potential.
She earned a PhD in Organizational Systems & Healthcare Leadership from Union Institute & University, a Master’s in Public Health-Care Administration from Western Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Eastern Michigan University. Kathy is board-certified in healthcare management and holds Fellow status with the American College of Healthcare Executives. Her additional credentials include certifications in Just Culture, Outcomes Engineering, and Lean Training in Healthcare from Virginia Mason, and she is a licensed RN through the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
Beth Cardell – Executive Board Member, Secretary
Beth Cardell is an experienced Occupational Therapist at the University of Utah, where she combines her expertise in health promotion and education with a strong background in occupational therapy. She holds a PhD in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Utah and a Master’s in the same field. With a Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University, she is a licensed occupational therapist through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and has been recognized as an NBCOT Ambassador. Throughout her career, Beth has dedicated herself to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities, both in clinical settings and through community-based initiatives.
In addition to her clinical practice, Beth is deeply involved in the professional community, serving as an Executive Board Member and Secretary for the Utah Association for Intellectual Disabilities. She is an active member of the Utah Occupational Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association, where she leads continuing education efforts and organizes professional development events for therapists statewide. Her work with the Brain Injury Alliance of Utah, both as a board member and support group facilitator, reflects her commitment to enhancing services for individuals with disabilities and advocating for improved healthcare access. Beth’s experience and leadership make her a highly regarded professional in her field.
History
The Arc of Utah existed for 50 years. Each year they delivered holiday gifts to people with intellectual disabilities. In 2008, financial problems arose that threatened the Holiday Gift Box and other programs.
As the board of directors of Arc dealt with the overall issues, a small group of volunteers offered to take over the Holiday Gift Box program. Requested items were for fundamental things such as sheets, hygiene products, sweat suits, slippers, coats, boots, etc.
Media friends helped inform the people of Utah that there were many individuals living with caregivers or in group homes who would not receive any gifts. Volunteers created ornaments for each individual in need, complete with their picture on the front and requested items and sizes on the back. Generous people came in to sponsor someone by taking an ornament and shopping for the requested items. Others donated money and asked the volunteers to shop for them. Boy scouts helped by holding neighborhood drives to collect needed hygiene items and toys. Companies sponsored people as a gift to their employees, presenting the employee with the ornament of who was sponsored in their name. Church and youth groups sorted and wrapped items to be delivered.
Local stores offered incredible discounts and even allowed their employees to ‘shop’ with us. Families arrived and offered to sponsor individuals rather than buy each other gifts.
The entire experience from selecting an ornament, shopping, wrapping and delivering the gifts back to us became a new tradition that reminds us how rewarding it can be to help others.
Our Partners
Business Partners
VALLEY FAIR MALL, the newly renovated- BEAUTIFUL mall has donated 8000 square feet of space overlooking the Christmas Tree and plaza, for 3 months to hold The Holiday Gift Box. They hosted the Summer Gift Box and promote the project to all of their contacts. Assorted stores within the mall may provide specials if you “adopt” an ornament.
R.I.T.E.S., Inc. “Reaching Independence Through Educating Self and Society”. They teach and assist individuals to develop skills which will raise their level of independence with creative, quality and consistent care that meets the future needs of the person and the community. R.I.T.E.S. provides hundreds of volunteer hours year around for UAID. 2465 N Main St Suite #2
Sunset, UT 84015 (801)779-7402
NORTH EASTERN SERVICES, helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve independence, enhance self-esteem, and sustain a full quality life. NES provides huge num-bers of volunteer hours, teaching opportunities and has been a financial supporter since UAID’S beginning. 1890 Alexander Way West Valley, UT 84119, 801-844-0103
PCA, Packaging Corporation of America’s Salt Lake North facility, is proud and honored to support UAID by providing packaging and printing for the Holiday Gift Box program which fills an important role in supporting individuals with disabilities during the holiday season. 451 N 5600 W, SLC
Higher Education
The Thayne Center envisions a world in which people’s basic needs are met and in which the values of equality and social justice are realized. We believe institutions of higher education have a responsibility to cultivate an engaged citizenry. We are therefore dedicated to empowering our students and faculty to realize they have the knowledge and skills to affect positive change in their community.
The Division of Occupational Therapy is a dynamic program housed within the College of Health, which is part of the Health Sciences Center of the University of Utah. This gives the program a strong interface with colleagues and resources with whom to collaborate. These include: Communication Science and Disorders, Exercise and Sport Science, Nutrition, Gerontology, Health Promotion and Education, Nursing, Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and School of Medicine.
The professional program leading to a MOT is rooted in occupation and occupational science. Central to the teaching mission of the Division are strong occupational therapy skills and outcome based research. The program has numerous innovative teaching components including a Level II fieldwork focus on health settings and community-service settings. We are committed to educating strong clinicians for the unfolding future.
The Center for Persons with Disabilities is Utah’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Utah State University. It is a dynamic collection of projects, guided by a goal to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. This is done through research, education, demonstration services and technical assistance.
The research adds to the knowledge about disability, its causes, its diagnosis and the best ways to accommodate it in daily life. The CPD’s training programs pass research-based techniques on to educators, families and service providers in the community. Demonstration services further bolster training by providing a real-world environment where techniques are tried and trainees learn how to provide services in their field. The people who receive services benefit from the expertise of the center, which provides education, evaluation and treatment to people who need it. Technical assistance is provided to entities that require help as they implement policies relating to disability.
Disability Agencies
RITES provides a wide variety of rehabilitative and habilitative services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and other obstacles to independence. In addition, we help their families, concerned members in the community, and others who have joined the person’s team in a supportive role. We support and assist individuals to develop skills which will raise their levels of independence. Our goal is to create opportunities. We want individuals to succeed at a worthwhile job, live on one’s own, meet and interact with people, and live happy, fulfilled lives.
We also teach families and people throughout the community how to guide and help the individual. When we are asked how to help person become more independent, we reply with comprehensive, concrete solutions. RITES provides services in the home, workplace, and throughout the community. Here is a list of some of the programs available.
North Eastern Services supports opportunities for people to achieve independence, enhance self-esteem, and sustain a full quality life.”
NES programs are specifically created to help individuals work toward becoming better people and having a better life. Understanding that everyone is different and has their own specific wants and needs. As such, they individualize their work toward each person.
“Project TURN” was founded in 1973 by a group of parents who were concerned about the lack of services for their adult children with developmental disabilities. The typical option at the time was to place their child in the State institution or allow them to sit at home with few opportunities to learn or participate as a citizen. TURN began by opening Group Homes in Ogden and then Bountiful where people could live in regular homes and take part in typical community activities. From the beginning, TURN was committed to “a life in the community”!
TURN’s reputation as innovative and dependable made us the “go-to” agency as people were moved out of institutions and the State was looking to develop and fund new and individualized services for people in community settings. In addition, a series of strategic merges with other non-profit disability agencies between 1998 and 2011 helped TURN become a statewide provider and expand and diversify our services.
Ohana
Ohana LLC is a unique day center where individuals with special needs can socialize, develop, practice, and maintain life skills. Ohana focuses on providing meaningful activities and nurturing lifelong relationships both in the community and at our center.
Ability and Choice Services will nourish the growth and independence of each individual we serve by providing an environment that focuses on each person’s unique needs. Ability and Choice Services focuses on each client’s unique needs and programs are customized and provided by a team of professionals.
The Utah Center for Assistive Technology is a statewide resource offering information and technical services to help people with disabilities acquire and use assistive technology devices.
UCAT services are available to people with disabilities, parents and other family caregivers, rehabilitation counselors, independent living specialists, special educators, occupational therapists, physical therapists, allied medical professionals, and others who are concerned with and advocate for people with disabilities. UCAT offers free evaluations to anyone within the state of Utah.
The Utah Developmental Disabilities Council is established by Executive Order of the Governor of the State of Utah in compliance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-402).
The purpose of the Council is to advocate for, and strengthen leadership skills in, individuals with disabilities and their families. In addition, the Council collaborates with the legislature, public and private agencies that serve individuals with disabilities to strengthen the service system. The focus of all the activities of the Council is to promote consumer and family directed services that increase self-determination in individuals with disabilities and their families.
Since 1967, The Kostopulos Dream Foundation has offered recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Their longest running program is Summer Camp, where kids, teens, and adults with disabilities or special medical needs experience a 5-day camping adventure. There are 3 types of Summer Camp: Residential, Day, and Trip. Residential and Day Campers go fishing, ride horses, camp out, sing songs, work on arts and crafts projects, challenge themselves on the ropes course, make new friends, and renew old friendships. Residential campers spend 4 nights on our campus, while Day Campers spend the night at their own homes, and return to Camp K each morning. Trip Campers spend 5 days on the road as a participant in the Travel Trip Adventures program. These trips journey to places like Yellowstone, Moab, Bear Lake, or Jackson Hole, and may include adventures such as river running, hiking, viewing wildlife, and visiting attractions.
Art & Culture
Since its inception in June 1984, Art Access has been committed to providing equal opportunities to inclusive arts programming for Utahns with disabilities and those with limited access to the arts. We are a community-focused organization that strives to demonstrate that the arts are a universal vehicle for drawing out our similarities, celebrating our differences, and ultimately connecting us to each other. Through our philosophy of inclusion, we serve people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Art Access offers a diverse collection of mission-driven programs, including gallery exhibitions, workshops, artist residencies, literary arts activities, a mentorship program, and community outreach. Many of these programs have benefited from partnerships with local educational, artistic, and public service organizations. We are an affiliate of VSA, which is a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through its Office of VSA & Accessibility. We are the only arts organization in Utah that focuses on serving individuals with disabilities and, in 2014, we celebrated 30 years of making a creative difference in our community.