Workers With Disabilities Help Fuel Utah’s Post-COVID Economy


By Ben Crabb, Regional Economist

Given intended economic restrictions through monetary policy undertaken by the United States Federal Reserve (Fed), the resilience of labor markets has been a surprise to many economists throughout 2022 and 2023. In Utah, the number of jobs now is above what would have been anticipated given the deep COVID jobs disruption coupled with Fed moves to slow the economy’s post-COVID inflation flareup. The continued expansion of the labor market depends to a large degree on maintaining a high labor force participation rate. After taking a downturn in the early part of the pandemic, Utah’s labor force participation rate has rebounded and is now at its highest level since 2009. This article will explore how an oftentimes under-utilized part of the workforce — workers with disabilities — has helped fuel Utah’s increased labor force participation rate. More...



Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Celebrates 30 Years of Service



The Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing celebrates its 30th anniversary on Saturday, August 27, 2022.


The rich history of the center dates back to 1946 when Robert G. Sanderson and other Deaf advocates dreamed of a center where the community could meet. Other cities had “Deaf clubs” and the group wanted one of their own in Salt Lake City. However, it took another 30 years before the seeds planted that day sprouted. More...