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A Word from Executive Director Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones
With the end of the state legislative session and the imminent end of the academic year here on the University of Kentucky campus, I’m reminded how quickly time moves and how important is the work that we do. There is a certain comfort knowing that, regardless of the policies and priorities in the landscape where we find ourselves, our mission is constant. We exist to promote the inclusion, independence and contributions of people with disabilities and their families throughout the lifespan. We do this through education, research and evaluation, information sharing, leadership and advocacy, across Kentucky and the nation. The 200 staff and students here at HDI are a powerful force to help us continue to strive to achieve our mission. I think you’ll find a very strong sense of that in this offering of our newsletter.
Kentucky Transition Summit and Morehead Conversation Bring Community Together to Share Ideas About Employment for Youth with Disabilities
KentuckyWorks hosted two Kentucky events for family members, youth, professionals, and employers to discuss strategies for successfully transitioning students from high school to employment. A Community Conversation was held at the Morehead Conference Center from 5:30-7:30pm on February 27, and a Statewide Transition Summit, featuring national transition expert Dr. Erik Carter of Vanderbilt, was held at the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort from 9am to 4pm on February 28. Learn more about each meeting and the results by viewing the reports found at KentuckyWorks.org.
UK HDI announces new Universal Design class and certificate program
The University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute is offering a new undergraduate universal design class in fall 2017, HDI 350: Universal Design. Students from any discipline can take the HDI 350: Universal Design course. This interdisciplinary course provides students with an opportunity to learn about the foundations and principles of universal design. Additionally, after taking HDI 350, students who want to continue learning about universal design have the opportunity to enroll in the new universal design certificate program. Read more ...
HDI Announces Applications Open for Developmental Disabilities Graduate Certificate
Applications are now open for the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities. The purpose of this Graduate Certificate is to prepare students from a broad range of disciplines to play a leadership role in providing services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. In addition to classroom learning, students will also have the opportunity to participate in a practicum and learn directly from individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. A stipend of $2500 to $3000 is offered to Developmental Disabilities Certificate students on an annual competitive basis. Anyone who has earned a bachelor’s degree is eligible to apply for admission and students from ALL disciplines are encouraged to apply. Read More…
Research Brief Spring 2017
Having a Son or Daughter with Jacobsen Syndrome/11q Deletion Syndrome: Perspectives of Parents
This study seeks to answer some of the most commonly asked questions during prenatal and postnatal counseling sessions: What is life actually like for parents who have sons and daughters with JS? How many of them love their son or daughter with JS? In this largest study to date, parents from across the world respond. This information can provide a more complete picture of genetic conditions that are shaped not only by the karyotype and list of medical information but also the availability of services and supports, as well as family and community inclusion.
by Stephanie Meredith, Anthony Lobianco & Harold Kleinert
HDI Fund for Excellence Awarded for Expanded Photo Library to Improve Representation of Diversity, Employment, and the Lifespan
HDI’s Stephanie Meredith and Harold Kleinert recently received the HDI Fund for Excellence award to expand our photo library of people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds for the entire Institute and also the National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Resources. These photos play a critical role in portraying diverse people with disabilities across the lifespan as active participants in an inclusive world. Read More…
Spring Seminar: “Serving Those Who Served Us: Understanding Military Culture and Disability Awareness in College”
This seminar by experts Tony Dotson, MA, Duke Pettit, II, MRC, CRC, and Matthew Bradford (in photo) on April 7 provided an overview of the United States military, with a particular focus on addressing why understanding military culture is important when working with student veterans and military families. The presentation will discuss the facilitating factors and significant barriers for student veterans in transitioning to college life. The seminar will also identify the resources available to meet the needs of student veterans with disabilities in higher education. Read more ...
Spring Seminar: “ABLE Accounts and other Financial Planning Tools: The Importance of Developing a Financial Identity”
ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals with disabilities to save up to $14,000 a year in an ABLE account without jeopardizing their eligibility for federally-funded means tested benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. This seminar by experts Caroline Wheeler, Dave Matheis, and a panel on March 3 provided information on both ABLE accounts, with a particular emphasis on Kentucky’s ABLE program, as well as Life Plan of Kentucky, Inc., Kentucky’s pooled special needs trust program. Read more ...
Research Assistant Spotlight: Minnah Farook
Minnah Farook is currently a doctoral student in counseling psychology at the University of Kentucky. She is a research assistant for the KyPSO program. KyPSO stands for Kentucky Post School Outcomes. Minnah collects survey information and figures out reasoning for statistics. Read more ...
Research Assistant Spotlight: Jessica Gregory
Jessica Gregory is a PhD student at the University of Kentucky. She is in her second semester studying school Psychology. She is originally from Kansas City, Missouri; however, she has been living in San Antonio, Texas for the past 8 years. Jessica moved to Kentucky for the PhD program at UK. Read more ...
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University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506