No Images? Click here
A Word from Executive Director Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones
Happy New Year and welcome to HDI’s latest newsletter issue. 2017 has certainly begun with many changes, and more yet to be determined. A very positive change comes with our new Training Director, Dr. Elaine Eisenbaum, who has had a very busy start to the new year. She’s taken the reins of both our Certificate in Developmental Disabilities and Universal Design Certificate, along with our other pre-service training efforts.
As we gear up for this new year, it’s important to remember that while the environment in which we work may present us with new challenges, it’s not the first time we’ve encountered adversity. The road to inclusion has been paved by the tireless efforts of those who came before us. And because HDIers are such strong collaborators, we will work to build connections. We will continue our important work of educating, researching and supporting empowerment all of community members the best way we know how – together.
AUCD 2016 Conference Report from HDI
HDI staff recently attended the Association of University Centers on Disabilities 2016 Conference in December and also actively contributed to the conference through sessions, posters, and increased attendance by trainees.
Dr. Harold Kleinert contributed to a panel on inclusive education and participated in a poster about “Building Capacity and Vision Among Faith Communities, Seminaries, and Disability Organizations.” In addition, Dr. Kathy Sheppard-Jones, Dr. Allie Rhodes and Marylee Underwood shared a poster on “Using Statewide Needs Assessment Data in Building a Plan for the Future,” and Dr. Sheppard-Jones also facilitated the poster symposium on systems change. Further, Meada Hall, Ed.D., Vickey Reilly, MA, Tony LoBianco, Ph.D., Katie Whaley, MA, Annette Jett, MA, and Deedra Brown shared a poster about “30 Years of Transitioning Students into Employment,” and first-time attendee Lisa Dunkley presented a poster about “Living Learning Communities.” Stephanie Meredith also led a panel on “Facilitating Change through International Cooperation” with other leaders in the AUCD network engaging in international projects. Read More…
Accessing the New Kentucky ABLE Accounts
The STABLE Kentucky program has launched in Kentucky to make savings more accessible for everyone! This program allows qualified 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. The funds in the account can be used for disability-related expenses that assist in increasing and/or maintaining health, independence or quality of life. For more information visit StableKentucky.com.
In addition, HDI’s Carolyn Wheeler will be offering a webinar on “Financial Tools: ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts” on noon on Friday, January 27 to explain the different financial options now available to individuals, families, and service providers. Join the webinar via Zoom here. Read More…
Research Brief Winter 2016
Healthier Together! A Dyad Approach to Inclusive Health & Wellness Programming
For people with disabilities, maintaining health and wellness is essential to self-sufficiency, becoming or staying independent, actively participating in the community, and preventing the onset of secondary health conditions. This research brief highlights the pilot efforts of the Health Partners project that works to incorporate a dyad social structure with inclusive universal design for learning strategies for health and wellness programming geared towards individuals with intellectual disabilities and a partner of their choice.
by Lindsey Mullis, Megan Jaspersen, Tela Warren, Alice L. Rhodes, & Rachel Jacob
HDI Fund for Excellence Awarded for Rural Clinic Assessment for Accessibility Project
Christina Espinosa Bard recently received the HDI Fund for Excellence award to to collaboratively work with 1-2 smaller rural hospitals to assess accessibility of the facility, develop a collaborative plan to address any barriers, and support efforts to secure funding to address those barriers. Read More…
Spring Seminar: “Seeing STARS: Children with Special Needs in Early Care Settings”
Join us in person or online for our Spring Seminar series on Friday, February 3, 2017 from 1:00 – 3:00p ET to learn more about “Seeing STARS: Children with Special Needs in Early Care Settings.” Learn more from experts J. Michael Clyburn, PhD, Caroline Gooden, PhD, and Michelle Johnson. The seminar will be held at the Human Development Institute Training Room on the UK Coldstream Research
Campus. A link to the live video stream of the seminar will be sent to registrants. Click here to register for the seminar. For help registering, contact: walt.bower@uky.edu.
Read More…
Research Assistant Spotlight: Lisa Dunkley
Lisa Dunkley was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She has a BSC in Psychology and a MA in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is pursuing the doctoral program in Rehabilitation Counseling in the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Rehabilitation.
Read More…
Fall Seminar: “Establishing Trust: Developing Community Engaged Networks that Reach Underserved Rural Populations”
“Community based participatory research engages community members, including rural community members living with disability, throughout the research process. Central to community based participatory research is a focus on the community as well as developing collaborative networks. What is community based participatory research? How does this approach reach out to underserved rural communities? Please bring your questions and be ready to participate in the discussion.” — Patrick Kitzman Read More…
Help HDI Continue to Thrive
HDI relies on grants and also donations from friends like you to continue offering wonderful programs across the lifespan to build a more inclusive world. When you make a donation to HDI, we can use those funds to contribute to additional services and supports to help families. A new online giving system from the UK Office of Development makes donating to HDI easier than ever! Please consider donating today to support our ongoing work.
Dr. Elaine Eisenbaum Joins HDI as New Training Director
HDI is pleased to welcome Dr. Elaine Eisenbaum as the training director at the Human Development Institute (HDI), Kentucky’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). As training director, Dr. Eisenbaum is responsible for overseeing the interdisciplinary graduate certificate program in Developmental Disabilities and is also working to roll out the undergraduate certificate program in Universal Design that will begin in fall of 2017. Read more ...
