Leadership & Self Advocacy News

Josiah Fowler, a Rehabilitation Technologist for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, thinks of his job like a puzzle. Luckily, he’s good at puzzles. Though the ...

Christina Espinosa remembers Maurice Dawson as a beloved member of HDI’s community. “Maurice was one of the few people at HDI as a member of ...

Anthony Glenn has had a wildly diverse career. Now, he’s a return-to-work coordinator on the RETAIN Kentucky project at HDI, but through the years, he’s ...

HDI’s new training director worked with the organization before, and it had a profound impact on her life. Now, she’ll be working with some of the ...

HDI’s Supported Decision-Making program just got a little bit of extra support. The Saul Schottenstein Foundation B has generously gifted $2,500 to HDI. The money ...

Dr. Nicholas Wright and Maria Kemplin, staff at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, received a University of Kentucky Office for Institutional Diversity Award ...

Carolyn Wheeler’s heart broke when she came across a book called Christmas in Purgatory on her mom’s bookshelf. The book was a photographic essay on ...

January is National Mentoring Month, and that makes it a great time to highlight HDI’s Disability Mentoring Program. The program pairs people with disabilities with ...

As Executive Director Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones tells it, 2023 was a year of connections for the Human Development Institute. Connections, according to Sheppard-Jones, are a ...

Chelsea Bocard wears enough hats, she could open her own hatter. Bocard’s technical job title is Disability Program Assistant, but it doesn’t get across exactly ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute in partnership with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation present the Summer Leadership Experience (SLE) in July 2024. All Kentucky ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) is pleased to announce a special episode of the State of HDI podcast series. Listeners have the ...

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 ...

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 ...

Austin Nugent has built bridges between many different parts of the disability community, and she's about to put those connections to use. Nugent, who is ...

What comes next after you graduate high school? When students toss their caps in the air, a whole new world opens up and they’re faced ...

Stock photography lacks disability representation. The photos are often staged and use models without disabilities resulting in misrepresentation and unnatural scenes. Staff from the University ...

In 2020, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order to create the Kentucky Employment First Council, which helps people with disabilities find meaningful employment ...

Kevin Burberry was a trailblazer. A tireless self-advocate, a gifted academic, and a dedicated leader. Every year, HDI recognizes someone who demonstrates these qualities with ...

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 ...

Supported employment has changed a lot over the years. Both Lori Norton and Margaret Lopresto can attest to that. Both have been involved in the ...

Opportunities to make life more inclusive are everywhere - even something as simple as the language we use can have huge implications for accessibility. One ...

What do you think of when you think about OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder? Is it someone who has to obsessively organize their whole book collection ...

Austin Nugent remembers the moment when someone first suggested she try therapy. “I was in Europe, and I called my mom from a four-star hotel ...

Michelle Graham-Smith had a simple reason for working with the Graduate Student Congress - someone asked. A gap on the congress needed to be filled ...

Running is a major part of my life and I run daily. Running has several health benefits such as cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and bone ...

This April, we recognize Autism Acceptance Month. This is a month where we celebrate what autistic people are capable of and work to support mainstream ...

While it’s important that autistic people have their place in society, Brittany Granville believes autism acceptance goes beyond that. She thinks it can save lives ...

Bev Harp, Project Director for HDI’s Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers, remembers the days when the only rhetoric about autism was awareness rhetoric. And she ...

For Walt Bower, Preservice Training Coordinator for HDI, there’s an important first step to take when talking about how best to support autistic people. “People ...

This month (March), HDI celebrates Developmental Disability Awareness Month. For some people, that may lead to questions about what defines a developmental disability. Developmental disabilities ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) has successfully completed a four-month-long certification program on how to create mentoring programs, activities, and events that ...

Over the years, Teresa Belluscio has had a lot of people ask her how to create an experience like HDI’s Summer Leadership Experience Camp. Many ...

by Dr. Nicholas Wright, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than buzzwords for the Human Development Institute (HDI) at ...

Universal Design affects everyone—students of all disciplines, people with disabilities, and any other community members. Universal design creates spaces and products that are as usable ...

Stock photography is a common tool used by almost all businesses and organizations; however, stock photos featuring people with disabilities are often staged using models ...

Meet Ruhiyyih Henderson: a student in the Human Development Institute’s Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities program! Ruhiyyih has worked with people with a wide range ...

Meet Micah Peace Urquilla! Micah is a 28 year old Queer, Autistic, and multiply Disabled self-advocate. Micah lives in Louisville with their husband Manny and ...

Meet Clare Andres! Clare is a third-year graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program at the University of Kentucky. Clare recently completed her ...

Meet Gabby Imfeld! Gabby is currently a third-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program here at the University of Kentucky. Gabby initially found ...

Meet Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Jonathan Drummond USAF (retired)! Jon comes to the University of Kentucky with an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Kansas State University) ...

Written by Delaney Wickert The popular athletic wear company Aerie has recently expanded their cast of clothing models to include individuals with a range of ...

Meet Nicholas Hoffman! Nicholas is a fourth-year student at Eastern Kentucky University’s Doctor of Psychology program and is currently enrolled in classes and accruing hours ...

Kathy Sheppard-Jones, Ph.D., is executive director of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI). Roughly one in three people in Kentucky have a disability ...

Meet Hope Leet Dittmeier! Hope has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over forty years. Hope has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation from ...

As you are likely aware, a violent racist assault took place at UK over the weekend. We at HDI stand with the University community voices ...

17 October, 2022 | Written by Delaney Wickert Upon the conclusion of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th—October 15th), the Human Development Institute would like to ...

For each of the past seven summers, DeafBlind young adults across Kentucky have come together for Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) Week, a five-day recreational learning ...

Cameron Tyrell is a second-year doctoral student in the Special Education program at the University of Kentucky with an emphasis in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education ...

Date: 9/7/2022 Description: Students with intellectual disabilities have been significantly underrepresented in higher education. Learn more about inclusive higher education programs supporting students with education ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute will host its Summer Leadership Experience camp for its sixth consecutive summer. The transitional experience camp, which will ...

Congratulations to HDI Staff selected to present at the 2022 National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference in San Diego, California in March. Evaluating the Stress-Appraisal-Coping ...

Stuart Rumrill, Field Researcher with RETAIN Kentucky, on his selection by the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) and the NCRE Leadership Team to receive ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) is pleased to announce the release of its 2022-2023 Strategic Plan. As Kentucky’s University Center on Disability, ...

Morgan Turner works as a Program Education Assistant at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute. He is a self-advocate with both cognitive and physical ...

Kelley Salyers, Administrative Support Associate II for the University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute has been awarded the 2021 Jacki Shouse Service Award. Kelley ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute - HDI congratulates Executive Director, Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones, recipient of the Kentucky APSE Willie Byrd Legislative Award 2021 ...

The State Guardianship Training Project is a collaboration with the Department of Aging and Independent Living, Division of Guardianship, to host online training courses. This ...

University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) staff are preparing to present sessions and posters at the 2021 Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) ...

Interpreters from the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, in conjunction with others across the country, provided American Sign Language interpreting services at the 2021 Southeast ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute Digital Storytelling Initiative highlights the stories and lived experiences of people with disabilities. By recording and collecting stories, the ...

The Human Development Institute (HDI) is inviting applications from Kentucky Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) for a 12-month planning grant to support IHEs in developing ...

The University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute (HDI) launches the Kentucky Supported Higher Education Partnership’s (KSHEP) website. KSHEP is a network of institutions of ...

The University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute (HDI) has awarded the prestigious Paul Kevin Burberry Award to Haley Potter. Haley is a full-time HDI ...

On May 20, 2021, the University of Kentucky submitted application to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid to establish a Comprehensive ...

On May 21, 2021, an Executive Order was issued by Governor Andy Beshear that extends Darrell Mattingly's appointment to the KY Statewide Independent Living Council ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute in partnership with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation present the Summer Leadership Experience on July 7–10, 2021 ...

Austin Nugent, Disability & Health Program Coordinator for the UK Human Development Institute (HDI) has been selected as a 2021 Association of University Centers on ...

The UK Human Development Institute presents the second video in its Digital Storytelling Initiative, a Fund for Excellence project. In this video, Morgan Turner, Project ...

The Kentucky Inclusive Health Collaborative at the UK Human Development Institute is excited to partner with the Adaptive Martial Arts Association (AMAA) to develop training ...

HDI Program Education Assistant, Morgan Turner, recently presented at the Dignity of Work International Forum sponsored by the Institute on Community Integration. In his presentation, ...

Register now for Recharging Resiliency Together! HDI would like to thank the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program for providing funding ...

Tina Jackson is a disability justice advocate living in Louisa, KY. She tells her story of growing up, and aging, with cerebral palsy and other ...

Alice Wang, Administrative Support Associate for the University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute has been awarded the 2020 Jacki Shouse Service Award. This award ...

Emily Moseley, Human Development Institute (HDI) trainee, and graduate student in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, has been awarded the prestigious Anne ...

Staff representing the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) will present at the 2020 Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) conference December 7-9 ...

Jason Jones, Disability Specialist, and Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones, Executive Director, have received the 2020 Tom Gravitt Advocacy Award from the Kentucky Congress on Spinal Cord ...

Darrell Mattingly, Computer Specialist at UK Human Development Institute has been appointed by Governor Andy Beshear to serve a two-year term on the Hart-Supported Living ...

Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones, Executive Director of the UK Human Development Institute and adjunct assistant professor of the College of Education, has been selected as a ...

Hello. My name is Jake Parsons. I live in Lexington Kentucky and I am 27 years old. I work at Walgreens and Common Grounds Coffee ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute - HDI Digital Storytelling Initiative is collecting stories about the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Our team will help ...

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all ...

Join the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute - HDI, Kentucky Protection & Advocacy - P&A, and the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities as we commemorate the 30th Anniversary ...

HDI Consumer Advisory Council member, Joe Cowan, in collaboration with Kentucky Protection & Advocacy, invite people with disabilities (or family members of people with disabilities) ...

“When people with disabilities started to move out of the institutions and out of their parents back bedrooms, they soon discovered that if they didn't ...

The Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation (KATLC) provides loans for any type of assistive device, equipment, or home modification that will improve the quality of ...

The 2020 Virtual Summer Leadership Experience for Kentucky high school students with disabilities entering 11th or 12th grade will be held online from July 29 ...

Since the invention of cars, people have shared rides; however, ride share participation has dropped significantly in recent years. Data shows that nine out of ...

HDI introduces a new series: Transportation Tuesdays! Every Tuesday for the next six weeks, we will share alternative, accessible modes of transportation and how to ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) is collecting stories from individuals with disabilities about COVID-19 in Kentucky and how it affects people living with ...

Staff from the UK Human Development Institute (HDI) began operating remotely more than a month ago. Using available tools and technology, HDI continues to promote ...

The UK Human Development Institute is pleased to announce the selection of Danielle Augustin as an Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Emerging Leader.  ...

Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones, Executive Director of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI), shares an important and timely message with Kentuckians. This short video ...

The University of Kentucky (UK) Human Development Institute (HDI) and the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation invites Kentucky high school students with disabilities entering their ...

The UK Human Development Institute (HDI) and the UK College of Dentistry have received a grant from the WITH Foundation, the American Academy of Developmental ...

Level Up: From Ally to Accomplice Every marginalized group needs allies. People with disabilities are no exception. Last year, Unpuzzling Disability hosted Allyship 101, a ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) has presented the 2019 Paul Kevin Burberry Award to Kennedy Guess. Guess is the first UK student ...

HDI and HDI CATS host an ADA Training series held on the fourth Thursday of each month covering different topics surrounding the Americans with Disabilities ...

Education and early intervention, self-advocacy, employment, housing, transportation, childcare, and community supports were all listed as areas of need by service providers, family members and ...

Two Anderson County High School students have been awarded trips to the HDI Summer Leadership Camp at the University of Kentucky. The Central Kentucky Educational ...

Elizabeth Biggs, who works as an HDI practicum student under the supervision of Bev Harp, received the Maurice A. Clay Award which recognized her as ...

“Each day in the United States service dogs provide an invaluable service for their handlers.  Whether it is assisting someone who is blind to navigate ...

The Summer Leadership Experience Camp is for KY high school students entering their junior or senior year with mild to moderate disabilities who want to continue ...

by Amanda Corbin The Supported Training Experiences Post-Secondary (STEPS) case study project provides leadership skill-building opportunities for college freshmen with disabilities who participated in the ...

Join us for a Lunch & Learn titled, “874K Coalition Advocacy Day Preparation” Date & Time: January 15 from 12:00 to 1:00pm EST Place: UK ...

Last year, as part of their studies in the Human Development Institute’s (HDI) Universal Design Certificate Program, two undergraduate students, Lauren Brown and Kennedy Guess, ...

Personal Life: I was born and raised in rural Marion County, Kentucky. After high school, I attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY where ...

Danielle Augustin is a part-time Inclusive Health Project Assistant at HDI with work spanning several projects, including the Health and Wellness Initiative: Project CHEER and ...

HDI's Judy Johns was recognized as the "Family Support Group Facilitator of the Year" on September 22 at the 2018 NAMI Kentucky Annual Conference for ...

“While tremendous progress has been made in enhancing life opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities over the past 50 years – both nationally ...

“Guardianship has been the default option for people who “need protection” for centuries.  It’s time to rethink that option. There are people who have a ...

Exploring and Understanding the Advocacy Needs of Kentuckians with Developmental Disabilities by Chithra Adams, Amanda Corbin, Luke O’Hara, Kathleen Sheppard-Jones, & Malachy Bishop In this ...

From UKNow: HDI has received a three-year grant totaling $600,000 from the Administration on Community Living. The project, Wellness Edge, is a Paralysis Resource Center State ...

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) has presented the 2018 Paul Kevin Burberry Award to Lindsey Woosley. Woosley is a doctoral student in ...

Are leaders born or are they made? Is leadership art or a science? Can you be introverted and be a leader? These are the types ...

The purpose of this event is to bring together people with all types of disabilities who are interested in developing and sharing leadership skills. In ...

HDI was recently selected as a recipient of the 2018 University of Kentucky Inclusive Excellence Award in the Department/Unit category in appreciation for the institute's dedication ...

I liked the Summer Leadership Experience Camp because of all the new opportunities it brought me, the friendships it brought me as well. I also ...

We're excited to share that HDI is funding the following four outstanding Fund for Excellence projects this quarter! With improved consumer advocacy, leadership, and transportation options, ...

by Amanda Corbin Education and early intervention, self-advocacy, employment, housing, transportation, childcare, and community supports were all listed as areas of need by service providers, ...

“The Independent Living movement is a reaction to the dehumanizing process inherent in the medical model and to the need for civil rights, equal access, ...