Priority Area
-
Turner wins Gold!
Though everyone working at HDI is a champion of some sort, one of us has the medals to prove it. Morgan Turner, a program education assistant for HDI, won three games at the Kentucky Special Olympics Summer Games, which were held in Richmond from June 2 to 4. In total, Turner played and won three…
-
A Semi-Brief Fascinating History of American Sign Language + Resources for Learning
There is a vast misconception among hearing Americans that American Sign Language is English on the hands, but in fact, it is a full language with its own unique syntax, grammar, idioms and modes of expression. Let’s take a dive into its fascinating history, and then we’ll explore some resources available to you right now…
-
HDI’s Lisa Amstutz is Second in Kentucky to Earn Special Credential for Mental Health ASL Interpreting
Lisa Amstutz earned her Qualified Mental Health Interpreter Certification earlier this month, making her the second American Sign Language interpreter in Kentucky to do so. The credential is part of a crucial effort to bridge the gap between Deaf mental health care needs and barriers to access. The certification is typically held by experienced interpreters…
-
Lifetime access pass to national parks and recreational land offers accessible options to Americans with disabilities
Spring sunshine continues to taunt summer loving Kentuckians with its promise of the radiant afternoon rays that fade into calm evening glow. It’s a great time to begin making summer plans, and for those with a permanent disability, you might consider applying for a free lifetime access pass to all U.S. national parks and recreational…
-
“Can You Read My Lips?” Ten Things to Know Before You Ask
Lip reading is a communication technique in which a person who does not have full access to sound closely watches the mouth of a speaker to understand speech. It is a skill which requires practice and, sometimes, formal training. In an essay, “Seeing at the Speed of Sound,” Rachel Kolb describes lip reading as “a…
-
ASL Team delivers services at Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness
This past October, the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Team, housed at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, traveled to Orlando, Florida to deliver services at the Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness (SERID) Conference. SERID is an annual conference that OVR State Coordinators for the Deaf in the…
-
UK HDI Fund for Excellence Award to fund Bluegrass Mountain Biking Accessibility Initiative
Kentuckians will soon have access to an adaptive mountain biking trail, thanks in part to an internal grant funded by the UK Human Development Institute. The trail, to be built by the Kentucky Mountain Biking Association, will be designed with the interest of people with disabilities at the forefront, prioritizing input and feedback from trail…
-
The State of HDI Episode 2: Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Description: October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month; in this episode, join Stephanie Meredith, HDI’s Medical Outreach Director and the mother of Andy, a 22-year-old with Down syndrome. Stephanie reflects on Andy’s youth and the state of genetic testing. Podcast URL: https://hdiuky.podbean.com/e/state-of-hdi-down-syndrome-awareness-month/ State of HDI Episode II, Down Syndrome Awareness Month Transcript Patti Singleton Hello and…
-
As Suicide Prevention Awareness Month comes to a close, keep these risk factors in mind
30 September 2022 | Written By Delaney Wickert Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, or SPAM, is recognized during the month of September. Suicide is an important topic to keep in mind throughout the entire year, however, SPAM allows us the opportunity to open the floor to have important conversations regarding mental health. In an effort to…