News
-
Fund for Excellence Projects Awarded
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute Fund for Excellence was created to support the development of innovative programs, services, or products to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families, for which funding is not currently available. Below is a list of the most recent awards. Expanding the Social Networks of Adults…
-
Kindness is Free. A Staff Spotlight on Dr. Angela Cooper
After earning her associate’s degree, Angela Cooper decided it was enough…until she wanted to learn just a bit more. She kept learning just a bit more again and again until she added a Dr. in front of her name. Cooper is a regional childcare administrator for HDI’s Child Care Aware program. Her program provides technical…
-
HDI Staff and Students Attend AUCD Annual Conference
University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) staff and students attend the 2023 Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) conference. The theme of this year’s conference was Emerging Leaders: Shaping the Future. The UK HDI is Kentucky’s Center on Disability and is a University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). As a UCEDD…
-
“All people offer perspective that is valuable to the rest of the world.” HDI Staff Erin Fitzgerald speaks on their experience with Neurodiversity and mental health
The following article discusses suicide, which some readers may find distressing. Erin Fitzgerald could always see the signs that she was different growing up – the tools to recognize how simply didn’t exist yet. “I grew up in an era where mental health was talked about very differently from how it is talked about today.…
-
Many People, One Community at the University of Kentucky
Inclusive excellence at the University of Kentucky continues to be a priority in colleges, units and departments across the community. This site highlights and celebrates all of the inclusivity work happening in our community initiated and driven by passionate staff, faculty and students. Here, you can learn more about the various initiatives, read about diversity-related…
-
Good communication makes the world go round! A staff spotlight on Calisa Fitzpatrick
Calisa Fitzpatrick thinks good communication makes the world go round. For her, there is immense power in a team working together towards a common goal. And as a member of the Evaluations Team, a big part of her job is helping ensure that HDI is doing that in every way it can. “We work with…
-
The State of HDI Episode 6: Employment First
Description: Katie Wolf Whaley is in the studio to discuss Employment First, a policy stating competitive employment should be the first and primary option for people with disabilities. Podcast URL: https://hdiuky.podbean.com/e/episode-6-employment-first Relevant Links Employment First Webpage The State of HDI podcast explores the initiatives and projects at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI).…
-
Coding a Brighter Future. A staff spotlight on Jay Hatcher
There’s an alchemy to coding, a place where art meets science, a perfect fusion of technical know-how and creativity. Jay Hatcher has lived in that space since he was a kid. “I’ve been a software engineer for about 17 years, but I’ve been learning to program computers since I was 10,” Hatcher said. “I’ve always…
-
UK expands training to help substance-exposed children
Educators from the University of KY are providing a unique service to address a desperate need- training students to work with babies born substance exposed. The team of educators includes Dr. Jennifer Grisham and Dr. Sarah Hawkins-Lear from UK’s Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE); Dr. Joneen Lowman and Dr. Judith Page from Communication Sciences and…
-
People make her happy! A staff spotlight on Richelle Gabbard
Richelle Gabbard calls herself a people person. She considers herself an extravert. She loves to learn about people, and loves to help them solve their problems. And as a part of HDI’s HR team, those are good traits to have. “When I’m around people and I get to talk to people and get to know…