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 2025
On Nov. 27, 2011, Joe Devon, a web developer out of Los Angeles, wrote an article about the need for …

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

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 …

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