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Fowler named Rehabilitation Technologist of the Year

Posted on | by Glen Jennings

Josiah Fowler, a Rehabilitation Technologist for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, thinks of his job like a puzzle. Luckily, he’s good at puzzles. 

Though the title of Rehabilitation Technologist might suggest cutting edge advancements, sometimes his ultimate solution is no more advanced than a simple color alteration. In one case, which the OVR specifically cited when it named Fowler the Rehabilitation Technologist of the Year, a person with low vision was working at a sandwich shop and could not see the instructions on how to put together certain orders.

“I downloaded Photoshop on my personal computer and created a large contrasted version of those sandwich cards and then had them printed out and laminated, and I clipped and together with a ring and delivered them to the person,” Fowler said. “Then they were able to flip through the laminated sandwich recipes and see them. So I just had to create that from scratch for them.”

In his work, Fowler has to do a lot of that kind of creative problem solving.

“We have to really be able to put together the puzzle of what someone needs for their job and how that fits with the puzzle of their disability related functional limitations,” he said. “I’d say a very large part of my job is actually just researching or testing out or experiment with new products to try with people.”

And Fowler loves the creative challenge of solving these puzzles – and the rewards that come with his insights. 

“It’s always great to just see the happy smiles on people’s faces once they’re able to do something they were struggling to do before,” he said. 

Though Fowler has blossomed in the role of a Rehabilitation Technologist, it’s not where his background was. He actually studied history at Western Kentucky University. But he does have a connection to disability services. 

“I’ve always actually been relatively, passionate and interested in disability services. I’ve grown up with people with disabilities. I’ve worked with people with disabilities, gone to school with people with disabilities. I’ve always had a drive to help give people what they need to achieve what they want to do,” he said. “I view helping people who need it the most as the greatest calling that we can do in life…It gives me a great reason to wake up with a smile on my face and be happy to go to work every day.”

As proud as Fowler is of his achievement, he made a note to thank his colleagues at the OVR. 

“I think everyone on the team deserves an award,” he said. “I couldn’t do what I do without the other Rehab Techs on the AT team. I couldn’t do what I do without the great Assistants we have and our Branch Manager. Together we all help guide each other through the complex cases we often find ourselves working on.”

group picture of HDI staff members serving on panel presentation

Addressing Ableism in Anesthesiology to Support Diverse Patients with Disabilities

Posted on | by Beth Potter

Practitioners working in the UK Healthcare Department of Anestheshiology believe it is crucial to recognize and dismantle ableism—the discriminatory attitudes and practices against people with disabilities. In March, staff from the UK Human Development Institute (HDI) were invited to participate in a panel presentation to foster awareness and promote change by addressing ableism within medical education and clinical practice.

The following staff from HDI participated in the panel to promote and support a more equitable healthcare system through the integration of disability awareness and anti-ableism principles.

Tony LoBianco, PhD is the Director and Principal Investigator of the Kentucky Post School Outcome Center (KyPSO) and Research Analyst at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI). Dr. LoBianco has an extensive background in research methods and evaluation with advanced degrees in political science and public health. He is a member of the Kentucky Congress on Spinal Cord Injury. He was a past recipient of the Carol S. Adelstein Award (leadership and academic excellence for student with disability at UK), and the Paul Kevin Burberry Award (advocacy for persons with disabilities). He has been a member of the Statewide Council for Vocational Rehabilitation, and currently is a member of the Kentucky Interagency Transition Council, the Underserved Populations Engagement Committee (part of HDI). Dr. LoBianco is a frequent lecturer throughout the University on disability, postschool outcomes and research methods. Dr. LoBianco is a quadriplegic due to a Spinal Cord Injury that occurred in 1991.

Nicholas Lamar Wright, PhD is a champion of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, & accessibility. He is a nationally recognized, award-winning higher education leader, scholar, and practitioner who excels at making connections and building inclusive cultures. Dr. Wright serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for the Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Wright identifies as a multiracial (Black/White) man with a traumatic brain injury, who graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science, Master’s in Education, and Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Personnel Services, specializing in College Student Personnel.

Austin Nugent is a Disability Program Administrator at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI). She has a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in disability policy and serves on numerous state and national boards. Through her various roles, Austin supports multi-system change that advances disability, access, and inclusion. As a result of her personal and family experiences with disability, Austin is familiar with the healthcare system, including the barriers people with disabilities and their support networks face in navigating healthcare.

Courtney Elbert is the Medical and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky (DSACK). Courtney earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from Bellarmine University. After teaching English and coaching soccer at Assumption High School in Louisville and being Coordinator of Bellarmine’s Low Ropes Challenge Course, Courtney earned a Fellowship at the University of Kentucky, where she earned her Master of Science in Educational Policy Studies with an Emphasis in Student Affairs. Over the years, Courtney has served as Assistant Dean/Director of Student Activities at Bellarmine University and in various volunteer roles within DSACK and the community. Courtney and her husband have 4 children, ages 21, 19, 17 and 10. Their son Sam has Down syndrome.

Morgan Turner is a Program Education Assistant at HDI. He also serves as a Special Olympics athlete, athlete ambassador, and health messenger. Mr. Turner is a strong self-advocate who has both cognitive and physical disabilities, he was born with hydrocephalus, abnormal legs and left hand. He works across multiple projects at UK-HDI focusing on health, inclusion, leadership, employment, and supported decision making. Mr. Turner was invited to participate in the national Special Olympics Inclusive Health Work Group. Mr. Turner is an expert peer health educator and has co-facilitated numerous inclusive health promotion programs. Morgan is quite familiar with anesthesiology, as he has had many surgeries in his life, including having a new shunt placed into his brain.

Moderated by Lindsey Mullis is the Inclusive Health & Wellness Director for the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute working to promote inclusive health for people with disabilities and the communities that serve them. Ms. Mullis is a certified Health Promotion Clinical Director for Special Olympics and an expert in applying universal design strategies to health programs and services. She has over 15 years experience working in the disability community. Ms. Mullis is also a strong parent advocate for her daughter with Down syndrome and a vision disability.

people with disabilities officially classified as a population experiencing health disparities

People with disabilities officially classified as a population experiencing health disparities

Posted on | by trex

Written by Eliott Hamilton, Student Informatician

In September 2023, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) officially classified people with disabilities as a population experiencing health disparities. This decision is a game changer for disability-inclusive research and highlights the pressing need to better understand and address the unique healthcare obstacles individuals with disabilities face.

What are Health Disparities?

A health disparity is a “health difference that adversely affects disadvantaged populations in comparison to a reference population, based on one or more health outcomes. All populations with health disparities are socially disadvantaged due in part to being subject to racist or discriminatory acts and are underserved in health care.”

Disparities in health outcomes are categorized as:

  • A higher likelihood of disease, an earlier onset of disease, or a more aggressive progression of disease
  • Increased mortality rates with certain health conditions, including premature mortality
  • Greater global burden of disease (GBD)
  • Lower outcomes on self-reported data tracking day-to-day functioning and symptom collections

For people with disabilities, health disparities can vary as widely as disabilities themselves, but many people within the disability community share experiences, like health conditions not taken seriously, poorer mental health, and reduced life expectancy due to limited treatment options.

What does NIMHD’s decision mean for people with disabilities?

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)’s decision to recognize and research people with disabilities as a population that experiences health disparities is significant for several reasons: 

Recognition of Unique Challenges: People with disabilities often face unique health challenges related to their disabilities. These challenges can include higher rates of certain health conditions, barriers to accessing healthcare, and disparities in health outcomes. Recognizing disability as a category for health disparities research acknowledges the specific needs and experiences of this population.

Inclusivity in Research: By designating people with disabilities as a population with health disparities, the NIH is highlighting the importance of inclusivity in research. It emphasizes the need to include individuals with disabilities in health studies to better understand their health status, identify disparities, and develop interventions that address their specific needs.

Promoting Health Equity: The designation demonstrates the commitment to promoting health equity for all populations, including those with disabilities. It acknowledges disparities in health outcomes and healthcare access exist within the disability community and emphasizes the importance of addressing these inequities.

Policy Implications: The recognition of people with disabilities as a population with health disparities can have implications for policy development and resource allocation. It may lead to focused initiatives, interventions, and policies directed at improving the health and well-being of people with disabilities, thereby reducing disparities.

Advocacy and Awareness: The designation helps raise awareness about the unique health challenges faced by people with disabilities, fostering advocacy for their rights and healthcare needs. It encourages a broader understanding of health disparities beyond traditional demographic categories, recognizing disability as a significant factor

What Are the Future Implications?

With this decision to acknowledge people with disabilities as a researchable population, the NIMHD is specifically focusing on the need for additional, more inclusive research. Alongside this designation, the NIMHD announced new research funding designated to disability healthcare equity – incentivizing researchers to address unique health disparities the disability community faces.

In addition to understanding health outcomes specific to the disability community, funding research to address disability healthcare equity is the first step in supporting inclusive research in healthcare. Future studies by the NIMHD will likely incorporate a more accurately diverse representation of the general population. 

Representation of people with diverse disabilities in health disparities research leads to a better understanding of unique health needs, challenges disabled people face within their healthcare, and the wide range of disparities the community deals with daily.

person working on a computer at a desk

RETAIN Employer Seminar Series

Posted on | by Glen Jennings

When asked about the RETAIN Employer First Seminar series, Kimberly Wickert figured she’d let a frequent attendee, Judiann Romeo, AVP at CareWorks, speak to the experience.

“She’s presented for us over the last few years, and she’s also been an attendee from an employer perspective,” Wickert, who serves as Director of Organizational Partnerships for RETAIN Kentucky said. “Her comment to me was…’It’s a series where I continue to learn every month from national industry experts.’ That’s what brings her back.”

The Employer First Seminar Series began in 2021 on the suggestion of the Human Development Institute (HDI) Executive Director Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones. 

“It is a monthly 30-to-45-minute lunch and learn series that we provide,” Wickert said. “We provide takeaways or nuggets of information that are new to employers to learn best practices and workforce trends specific to stay at or return to work strategies.”

Sheppard-Jones and Wickert felt that a lunchtime meeting would be easiest for the most people to attend. They also chose to host the meetings online to increase accessibility.  They are also available on RETAIN’s Media Channel, RETAIN Kentucky Media.

Wickert said there have been a variety of presentations on various subjects for the year. 

“So far this year, we’ve had national subject matter experts talk about creating trauma responsive workplaces. We had a subject matter expert talk about an employer perspective on workplace culture, safety and stay at work strategies,” Wickert said. “And then just this month we had Dr. Tim Tansey from the University of Wisconsin, showcase the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center.”

There are several factors Wickert said HDI considers when seeking presenters for these seminars. 

“We look at things that employers can use as resources, like identifying and developing bench strength in their workforce, universal design strategies to promote quality employment for workers with mental health considerations and ways that they can promote safety in the workplace,” she said. “This information provides best practices to hiring and retaining workers.”

And with convenient timing and online attendance, Wickert hopes that these seminars will be easy to attend for anyone who hopes to learn from them. 

“It’s a way for them to learn about trending topics from industry experts without having to leave their office or desks,” she said. “They get content that is relevant to an inclusive workforce on a daily basis.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Employer Seminar Series, email beth.potter@uky.edu to receive the monthly training announcement.

Disability in the Arts Gallery Showcase (Dates Extended!)

Posted on | by Glen Jennings

The exhibit will be extended and will be open onTuesday April 2nd – Wednesday April 3rd from 9 am – 4:30 pm.

The Human Development Institute (HDI) will be holding an art gallery at its Center for Assistive Technology (CATS) from March 26 to March 29.

The gallery, open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will celebrate and showcase art by artists with disabilities as well as the assistive technology that creatives can use to bring their creative vision to life. 

“We want to reach out to the community and share the talents and expertise of some Kentucky artists,” Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones, Executive Director of HDI, said. “It’s also a great way to check out CATS, learn about assistive technology, and celebrate Developmental Disability Awareness month!”

Nancy Savage, an administrative assistant at HDI and one of the show’s organizers, said that the art and artists showcased vary wildly. 

“There is a wide range of styles ranging from mixed-media, photography, graphic medicine and an art-related assistive technology display,” she said. 

The gallery will include students with disabilities from across the state who participated in a nonprofit program called ArtsforAllKy. Also participating are artists from the UK College and Career Studies program in mediums from traditional art to photos to comics. There are even a few artists, such as Brittany Granville and Erin Fitzgerald, who are part of the HDI staff, and local artists such as Melissa Armasal and Carter Underwood. 

A big part of the gallery’s goal is to provide multiple forms of meaningful representation for disability in the arts. 

“The disability experience is represented in multiple ways. The artists are disabled. The gallery also includes photographs that include people who have lived disability experience,” Sheppard-Jones said. “Unfortunately, stock photography is not inclusive of disability. Representation matters. This sample of photos is taken from the Human Development Institute photo library. The show also includes some assistive technology devices that gallery visitors can try out to experience a variety of ways that art can be created.”

CATS is located at 2358 Nicholasville Road, suite 180 in Lexington. The photo library can reached at https://www.flickr.com/people/198826134@N02/ and was created by HDI staff members Haley Potter, Kari Batts, Adam Potter, and Eric Seale in collaboration with models from Kentucky.