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

Dr. Mykal Leslie Staff Photo

Leslie to lead Human Development Institute

As Dr. Mykal Leslie steps into his new role as Executive Director of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute …

Photo of Dr. Harold Kleinert

Staff spotlight: Dr. Harold Kleinert

One day, says Dr. Harold Kleinert with a laugh, his colleagues are going to decide he’s worked enough and tell …

College students in a classroom

HDI LEND welcomes students!

It’s a new school year, and that means new students – and this time, it’s more new students than HDI …

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Summer Leadership Experience 2025

It’s hard to figure out what to do after you graduate high school, but there are added complications when you …

ISAW Improving Supports for Autistic Workers Logo

Louisville Free Public Library becomes Autism Informed Employer

There are a lot of good reasons Bev Harp loves libraries. They’re places where someone can spend time without being …

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HDI commemorates the 35th Anniversary of the ADA

It’s been 35 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This landmark civil rights legislation enshrined protections …

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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 …