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

Photo of a seated Bingocize participant

HDI partners with UK Healthcare to promote health in Kentucky communities

HDI and UK HealthCare have long had a fruitful partnership leading to a lot of great work – and their …

Boudreaux receives Art Meets Activism grant

Boudreaux receives Art Meets Activism grant

Congratulations to Kate Boudreaux, a student in the College and Career Studies Program at UK, for receiving an Art Meets …

Navigating Identity: Chelsea Gibbs and Dr. Rachel Womack on the Intersection of Disability and Queerness

Navigating Identity: Chelsea Gibbs and Dr. Rachel Womack on the Intersection of Disability and Queerness

Chelsea Gibbs has only recently started thinking of disability as part of her identity. “I’m a caregiver for a young …

Dr. Julie Pfeiffer receives prestigious Burberry Award

Dr. Julie Pfeiffer receives prestigious Burberry Award

This year’s winner of the Kevin Burberry award is Julie Pfeiffer in honor of her work with airline accessibility. The …

Exploring Intersectionality: How Disabled and Queer Identity Shape Mental Health Care According to Dr. Rachel Womack

Exploring Intersectionality: How Disabled and Queer Identity Shape Mental Health Care According to Dr. Rachel Womack

Research has shown a strong connection between queer identity and disability—a connection Dr. Rachel Womack is deeply familiar with. “The …

State of HDI: Communication Q&A with Jacqui Kearns

State of HDI: Communication Q&A with Jacqui Kearns

Transcript [Patti Singleton] All right. Hello and welcome and thank you for joining us on the state of HDI. A …

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 …