University Lecture Series

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 eligibile for Medicaid? This presentation provides factual 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 allies (family members, supporters, legal representatives) have not made plans for what happens when a key ally or family member dies. This can create a crisis and often very 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 take action on this important topic.

Carolyn Wheeler

Most people who receive Social Security Disability Benefits are under the misconception they cannot save for the future. This is not TRUE!! STABLE Kentucky is Kentucky’s ABLE (Achieving A Better Life Experience) program which allows a person whose disability occurred before the age of 26, their family member and friends to save up to $15,000/year without jeopardizing the person’s Supplemental Security Income eligibility or Medicaid eligibility. Supplemental and Special Needs Trusts allow for more funds to be saved and used for supplemental needs. This lecture will provide an overview of these tools as well as provide resource information

Carolyn Wheeler

Supported decision making is a way to describe how we all make decisions. It means that people turn to trusted friends, family members, and professionals to help them make decisions, both large and small. Supported decision making can be used as an alternative to legal guardianship but can also be used in any person’s life.

Laura Butler, Camille Collins-Dean

This lecture focuses on the experiences of parenting a child with Down Syndrome from the moment of diagnosis to the first day on the job as an adult. We cover important milestones like rebuilding dreams after a diagnosis, working toward developmental milestones through early intervention, preparing for the first day at school, cultivating healthy sibling relationships, encouraging community and school inclusion, and preparing for work.

Christine Hausman

This lecture focuses on the experiences of parenting a child with Down Syndrome from the moment of diagnosis to the first day on the job as an adult. We cover important milestones like rebuilding dreams after a diagnosis, working toward developmental milestones through early intervention, preparing for the first day at school, cultivating healthy sibling relationships, encouraging community and school inclusion, and preparing for work.

Stephanie Meredith

Self-advocates will provide an overview of self-advocacy, including the history of self-advocate movements created by people with intellectual disabilities. The presenters will discuss past and current uses of the term “self-advocate” and will describe a variety of activities that can fall under the umbrella term. The presenters will discuss their experience with forming and leading a self-advocacy group for autistic adults and youth and will offer suggestions for others interested in joining or forming a group.

Bev Harp, Autistics United KY (AUK) and Kentuckiana Autistic Spectrum Alliance (KASA) Members

Families will provide an overview of the importance of advocacy. Personal perspectives will be shared, along with applications of advocacy in health care across the lifespan and across domains. Advocating as a parent can change across the child’s lifespan. For example, a child who is young, nonverbal, and requires full-time, round-the-clock care requires a different kind of advocacy than for an employed and active adult.

Traci Brewer, Jennifer Ulbricht, Stephanie Meredith

This lecture will share and discuss opportunities to collaborate with our community partners. The lecture will discuss identifying community stakeholders, successful relationship building within the community, the staff necessary to carry out the mission of the organization, and lessons learned from developing community partnerships with agencies that are serving children and adults with disabilities and their families.

Walt Bower

Anyone can be an ally to people with disabilities; the fundamental tools required are thoughtful listening and a willingness to step back and let disabled people lead. This training is designed for professionals, family members, direct support workers, and anyone else who would like to learn how to better support people with disabilities. The presenters will discuss the meaning of allyship and its importance to people with disabilities and will offer a wide range of interactive scenarios for evaluating efforts and improving allyship skills.

Bev Harp, Tony Lobianco

Since 2012, HDI has been instrumental in bringing participant-driven meetings, called unconferences, to Kentucky residents with disabilities, their family members, and support workers. The unconference format is inherently democratic, providing a space where disabled voices can be heard. Learn how it works and results of our 4 unconferences on sexuality as well as the more recent disability leadership unconference.

Bev Harp, Laura Butler

Did you know that Kentucky has two self-advocacy groups by and for autistic people? Autistics United Kentucky (AUK) and Kentuckiana Autistic Spectrum Alliance (KASA) engage in advocacy, social justice actions, and community events, promoting the rights of all autistic people. We also have a lot of fun! Learn about some of our past, present, and future projects.

Bev Harp, AUK and KASA members