University Lecture Series

This lecture will provide a chronological overview of the 100-year history of disability legislation in America that led to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and beyond. From forced sterilization to the independent living movement, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA and the most recent Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), learn about the people who were the catalyst of systematic change for people with disabilities and the disability rights movement. We will explore case law that continues to shape the reach of the ADA even today.

Jason Jones

This lecture provides an overview of the Kentucky Disability Resource Manual and online searchable Kentucky Disability Guide regarding services and supports available to people with disabilities in the Commonwealth. We provide information about how people with disabilities and family members can save money and still receive needed services, including information about STABLE Kentucky (https://www.stablekentucky.com/) and Life Plan of Kentucky, Inc. (https://lifeplanofky.org/).

Walt Bower, Johnny Collett, Carolyn Wheeler

This lecture includes a snapshot of disability statistics for Kentucky, an overview of legislation and services with regard to education, employment and independent living for people with disabilities.

Johnny Collett and Carolyn Wheeler

Are you afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing when interacting with a person with a disability? Do you avoid those interactions because of that fear? Are you missing out on a huge part of the population that could be customers, employees, resources … friends? Explore the attitudinal barriers faced by people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Hear real life stories that offer examples for each barrier. Join in discussion around etiquette and myths around a variety of disabilities.

Jason Jones, Christina Espinosa

Transition to postsecondary life represents a critical passage for youth with disabilities. Moving from a system of educational services as an entitlement to adult services based on eligibility can be difficult to navigate as students with disabilities pursue success in higher education and the workplace. Kentucky provides an array of supports and resources focused on facilitating successful transition and improving postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities.

Johnny Collett

Foundational to the basic rights and full inclusion of people with disabilities in society, regardless of their level of disability, is an understanding of and commitment to the principles of universal design and independent living. A fully accessible environment is the foundation for independent living. Discussion will focus on resources and Centers for Independent Living.

Johnny Collett, Jason Jones, Christina Espinosa

Millions of workers in the United States leave the workforce each year after experiencing an injury or an illness. This can result in detrimental outcomes to displaced employees, employers, and the economy. Stay at Work/Return to Work (SAW/ RTW) strategies provide customized intervention and support to help workers stay connected to the workforce and reduce their need for long-term Federal disability benefits. This lecture will provide an overview of national SAW/RTW policy and efforts here in KY.

Kathy Sheppard-Jones

This lecture provides a brief description of Medicaid waivers and the role they can play in helping people with significant disabilities move toward independence. Topics include: What is a waiver? Why did waivers become popular? Average cost of community services vs. facility services; Kentucky’s waiver menu; Supported Employment vs. Day Training; Design Challenges; Rate Structure Challenges; and Kentucky’s Employment First policy.

Jeff White

This lecture is designed to help learners understand the relationship between the benefits a person receives and their ultimate ability to live as independently as possible, with particular attention paid to the transition from child to adult status. We will work through the three subgroups within the transition age population: Students 14 to 17 years of age, students who are close to their 18th birthday, and students over age 18. As we do this, we will pay close attention to the important topics for each group to move toward independence and maintain eligibility, as well as prepare for future challenges.

Jeff White

This lecture addresses the true impact of wages on benefits and patient liability. This presentation includes a comparison between benefit streams, an analysis of pass-through and how it can benefit recipients, a discussion of programs that help pay medical expenses, an analysis of substantial gainful activity and SSDI work incentives, real life examples of the impact of wages on SSI, a discussion of SSI work incentives, an examination of resource management strategies, examples of the management of patient liability, and a discussion of reporting requirements.

Jeff White

Did you know a person over the age of 18 could earn $1200/month (gross) and still maintain eligibility for a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cash payment? Did you know a person eligible for SSI and Medicaid can earn over $30,000/year and still be eligible for Medicaid? This presentation provides information on what Social Security says when a person who receives SSI or SSDI goes to work. Resources are provided which can be used by the person receiving the benefit, family members, employment services providers and employers, as well as information about how people can save without jeopardizing eligibility for other publicly funded benefits.

Carolyn Wheeler

Since over 70% of North Americans die without a will, it is no surprise that people with disabilities and their family members, supporters, and legal representatives have not made plans for what happens when one of these key people in the person’s life dies. This can create a crisis and often negative life experiences for the person with a disability. This lecture proposes four questions that need to be addressed as well as resources for people to use to act on this important topic.

Carolyn Wheeler