July 1 marks a pivotal legislative change in Utah that will have profound consequences for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other disabilities. This new law, passed by Utah lawmakers and signed by Governor Spencer Cox, will dismantle the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and institutions across the state. These programs played a crucial role in leveling the playing field, offering essential support for individuals with ASD and other disabilities, allowing them to reach their full potential and thrive in a system that otherwise might not have been designed with their needs in mind. “How awful.” Despite strong warnings and pleas from experts, educators, parents, and individuals with disabilities, lawmakers passed H.B. 261, stripping away vital resources and protections.
DEI initiatives are often seen as focusing primarily on racial and cultural issues. However, in a state like Utah, where 1 in 4 individuals will be diagnosed with ASD, these programs were about much more. According to the Pew Research Center, Utah saw a 65% increase in students diagnosed with a learning disability in 2022. The reality is that families across the state know and love someone with a diagnosed disability. For many, DEI was a critical avenue for advocacy, support, and necessary adjustments within the school system to help individuals with disabilities navigate and succeed.
Stacy Bernal, a passionate advocate for children and adults with ASD, knows firsthand how important these resources are. As a mother helping her son navigate a world set up for neurotypical individuals, she has witnessed the daily struggles that come with a lack of support. “It was terrifying, having to now navigate this system that is completely different from everything that is traditional. Every idea you have about your child’s future, education, their social relationships, even with other kids, just goes out the window. I just had to figure out how to make things as good for him as I possibly could,” says Bernal.
Bernal founded Awesome Autistic Ogden, a foundation dedicated to supporting children with ASD by hosting a community fair focused on resources for families. This event became a lifeline for parents, offering a space to embrace and celebrate the ASD diagnosis rather than fear it. Bernal’s advocacy didn’t stop there—she ran for the Ogden School District school board and has been serving since January 2023. Now, she’s running for Utah Senate against John Johnson, the lawmaker who proposed the elimination of DEI programs. This battle, while centered on many critical issues, ultimately comes down to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community: our diverse, vulnerable, and marginalized students. “We have to do better because people are slipping through the cracks. There are more resources when they (individuals with ASD) are younger. But when they age out of the public school system, they fall off a cliff,” explains Bernal.
The safety nets that once existed for vulnerable populations, including individuals with ASD, injured veterans, and the LGBTQ+ community, have been torn away. These groups are left to fend for themselves in a system designed by and for wealthy, white, cisgender men. The same lawmakers who removed these safety nets have failed to replace them with anything meaningful, leaving marginalized people to fall through the cracks. After speaking at a recent legislative session, Bernal saw the heartbreaking testimonies from members of the community who will be directly impacted by the new law set to take effect on July 1. “We’re not necessarily as a state looking to improve things,” she says. “These policies that roll back DEI. They are going to create even more obstacles and challenges for families like ours.”
The rollback of DEI is happening, regardless of the outcry from the community. So what can be done for Utah families who will be left without these essential resources? A personal example illustrates the devastating effect of losing something without any plan for replacement. At home, Bernal has two plastic Adirondack chairs in her yard, one with a slight crack in the backrest. If she moves a certain way, the crack widens and pinches her skin. Although it’s uncomfortable, she’s reluctant to dispose of the chairs, reasoning, “Don’t throw it away until you have something to replace it with.” Despite their imperfections, the chairs are still usable. Lawmakers, however, didn’t apply the same logic. Instead of providing a replacement for the DEI programs, they simply dismantled them, leaving no resources to help marginalized people. There is no fix, no replacement—just a removal that leaves vulnerable populations unsupported.
The lack of resources will undoubtedly harm Utah families. According to the Autism After 21 Utah Project, nearly 2% of the population lives with ASD, and this initiative is working to gather crucial data to create more effective resources for the state. Proper resources are essential for individuals to build skills, enter the workforce, and lead independent, sustainable lives. Without DEI programs, these processes will be delayed and hindered, leaving many without the support they need to succeed.
For those who criticize DEI efforts, Bernal has this to say: “The existence of DEI offices and DEI efforts isn’t harming people who don’t need it. You don’t need to buy into it, you don’t need to access it. But especially on our college campuses, you’re now pulling access to resources that many, many people rely on.”
Looking to the future, many parents, like Bernal, fear the lack of social safety nets will lead to dire consequences. “I’ve got six years until my kid looks off the precipice of that cliff, nets shredded, no replacement nets being secured,” she reflects. If her son wants a full life and independence, he will have to take the leap, but the safety nets will no longer be there to catch him. Will the governor, legislators, educators, advocates, and voters work to put new nets in place for him? “As a parent, as an advocate, as someone who’s in this space, I just want people to realize how this will impact someone that they love,” says Bernal. “Shift the mentality of the ways that it doesn’t impact you and think about the ways it will affect someone you love.” It’s a powerful reminder: removing support systems—whether it’s chairs or critical programs—leaves individuals without the necessary foundation to thrive.
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