Leadership & Self Advocacy

In order to make lasting change that improves the inclusion, independence and contributions of people with disabilities, leadership opportunities and ways to improve self-advocacy skills are needed. We strive to develop leaders with disabilities, through an array of training, technical assistance and mentoring programs. For more information, contact: Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones.

Latest News

Global Accessibility Awareness Day Logo

Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025

On Nov. 27, 2011, Joe Devon, a web developer out of Los Angeles, wrote an article about the need for …

Summer Leadership Camp Participants posing on the steps at the UK Student Center

HDI and OVR collaborate to host Summer Leadership Experience

For almost 10 years, the Human Development Institute has operated a summer camp to help high school students with disabilities …

HDI Interpreters Serve at the Southeast Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

HDI Interpreters Serve at the Southeast Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Anyone closely involved with the Deaf community in the region will likely be at the Southeast Registry of Interpreters for …

Skyler Hill Staff Photo

Staff Profile: Skyler Hill

Skyler Hill has worked in every level of business, but he’s never worked anywhere like HDI. “It’s not a traditional …

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Making Connections in 2024

Connections and partnerships have been consistent themes across the years at HDI, and those are reflected again in some of …

Jaz-Brown-LEND-Student

Jaz Brown, LEND trainee, attends AUCD

Jaz Brown has a background in activism rather than academia, and that gives them a unique perspective in Kentucky’s LEND …

Latest Products

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute celebrates Disability Pride Month 2023. Visit hdi.uky.edu to learn more about our vision …

Presenters: Dustin Wygant, PhD, Myra Beth Bundy, PhD, BCBA, Allison Connelly, JD …

This document provides tips for working effectively with ASL Interpreters in a presentation setting …

Presenters: Arthur Campbell Jr, Frank Huffman, Maria KemplinAccessible, affordable transportation is an essential part of inclusive community life. Arthur Campbell, …

Latest Projects

HDI is working with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services as they work to update Kentucky’s Olmstead Compliance …

The State Guardianship Training Project is a collaboration with the Department of Aging and Independent Living, Division of Guardianship, to …

The Human Development Institute (HDI), Kentucky’s University Center on Disability, is administrator for a five-year Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities …

The Summer Leadership Experience camp is a transitional experience camp for rising high school juniors and seniors with disabilities in …

This project seeks to expand the use of supported decision-making in Kentucky. We provide training, education, and technical support to …

The Certificate in Universal Design is designed to give students a foundation in the principles of universal design and its …

The Driver Rehabilitation program provides evaluation and training services to consumers of the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This effort …

The purpose of this Graduate Certificate is to prepare professionals from a broad range of disciplines to play a leadership …

Community Quality collaborates with the Kentucky Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities on activities that promote success for Kentuckians with …