Maria Kemplin

Exploring the Intersectionality of Ability, Race, & Religion

Posted on February 8, 2024 | by Beth Potter

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 to support programs that are student-centric and foster collaboration through partnerships that address the important of diverse views and cultures. In partnership with the Martin Luther King Center and the Disability Resource Center, staff will explore the intersectionality of ability, and race.

Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how various social categories interact to create unique experiences of discrimination and privilege. Most people understand race is a concept of diversity, but ability has been historically omitted from this conversation and religion is another concept that is absent from conversations surrounding DEI.

This award will be used to host an educational event for all students, staff, and faculty members to gain a better understanding of this multifaceted experience in diversity. By gaining exposure and learning about intersectionality, we can address and dismantle systems of oppression to better support all students holistically.

Watch for more information about this exciting event at hdi.uky.edu.

Transportation Tuesdays: The History of Public Transportation

Posted on June 23, 2020 | by Beth Potter

“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 have dependable, accessible public transportation then there was no difference being forced to stay in the back bedroom or locked away in an institution behind cold stone walls.” – Arthur Campbell, Jr.

Caption: Arthur Campbell, Jr.

Alt-text: Arthur Campbell, Jr. Seated in his wheelchair looking confidently at the camera. A sign on the back of his chair reads “If I can’t do it, it ain’t worth doing.”

In 1984, Arthur Campbell, Jr. and 3 other individuals decided to address the lack of accessible public transportation in Louisville, Kentucky. Every week for the next year, they met and studied federal, state, and local public transportation laws and regulations. They began to show up at transportation-related meetings and meetings of the Kentucky Legislature.

Between 1985-89 they met with the Transit Authority directors and other officials, trying to negotiate a list of things that would create accessible public transportation and meet the people’s needs.

Caption: Newspaper, Handicapped Seek Change in Public Transit
Alt-text: Newspaper showing several people protesting for a change in public transit. One protestor’s sign reads “Let us use token not be tokens. Accessibility now!” Another reads “Adapt Now!”

The negotiations were getting nowhere. The group began to call themselves “Louisville ADAPT,” and talked about taking to the street to demonstrate and protest.

Continue reading →

Transportation Tuesdays: Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation

Posted on June 16, 2020 | by Beth Potter

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 life or increase the independence of Kentuckians with disabilities. This can include vehicle modifications, mobility devices, adaptive technology, hearing aids, Braille equipment, vision aids, home modifications, and more.

KATLC has provided more than $7 million in loans to Kentuckians with disabilities to obtain the assistive technology they need. Any Kentucky resident that has a permanent disability or is the parent of an individual with a disability is eligible to apply. Applicants must have lived in Kentucky for at least six months and must be able to repay the loan.

A non-profit organization can also apply for a KATLC loan. The organization must be providing assistive technology to individuals with disabilities, and it must be able to demonstrate how the assistive technology will be used for potential customers.

Learn more about KATLC, eligibility, the application process, and benefits, at www.transportation.hdiuky.org/katlc.

Red background with white text included in article

Transportation Tuesday: K-TAP Kentucky WORKS Program

Posted on June 9, 2020 | by Beth Potter

There’s a new module on the Transportation website! The K-TAP Kentucky WORKS Program is a service available to Kentuckians who are unemployed, under-employed, or about to become unemployed and are pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age. This program offers monthly transportation support payments and yearly auto repair funds to work-eligible individuals.

The Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP) is a program that provides financial assistance and support to Kentucky families in need. The Kentucky WORKS Program is a program available to those receiving K-TAP benefits and provides job-seeking assistance. The goal of this program is to enable work-eligible individuals to support their families through self-sufficiency.

This service is available to Kentuckians who are unemployed, under-employed, or about to become unemployed and are pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age. Kentucky WORKS offers payments for transportation- and travel-related payments necessary to work, participate, or prepare to participate in Kentucky WORKS program activities. Participants can receive up to $200 per month for participating in four or more K-TAP activities per month or $15 per month for participating in three or less activities per month.

This program also offers $1,500 per year in auto repair and associated expenses. This can include repairs to make it functional (brakes, transmission or engine repair, mufflers, or tires) or other expenses like property taxes, vehicle registration and license fees, and auto liability insurance.

To learn more about K-TAP and the Kentucky WORKS Program, visit www.transportation.hdiuky.org/ktap.