Latest newsletter from the Human Development Institute.
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A Word from the Executive Director
It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over, but what a summer it has been. We are starting a new chapter in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as we now join the ranks of Employment First states. With Governor Bevin’s Executive Order going into effect, the newly created Employment First Council will have a great deal of work to do. We know that a variety of barriers to employment exist for people with disabilities, but through strong partnerships, we can promote strategies that lead to change and seek ways to tear down the practices that result in lost opportunities for employment.
I’m hopeful about the impact the work of this Council will have because, even in times of uncertainty, we work with our partners to strengthen the impact of our efforts. We use the information we have, we recognize the context in which we are working, and we innovate and try new things. One example of that is our new project, Wellness Edge, that will be providing grants to community organizations that will enhance access to recreation for people with paralysis. While this might seem like new territory, the Human Development Institute has a history of working hand in hand with communities to facilitate inclusion and access for everyone.
Along those lines, HDIers have been hard at work to empower youth, families and professionals through Community Conversations around employment expectations. Read more about this in the KentuckyWorks story. In fact, I’d suggest visiting kentuckyworks.org after reviewing that article to get access to the valuable resources that have been created.
As we gear up for the start of another school year, we look forward to staying in touch with you. Please make sure to check our website www.hdi.uky.edu as we post details on our Fall Seminar Series, Lunch and Learns, and 4th Thursday ADA Talks.
Enjoy the newsletter and stay in touch!
Kathy Sheppard-Jones
Governor Issues Executive Order Making Employment for People with Disabilities a Top Priority in Kentucky
On May 15, 2018, Governor Matt Bevin signed Executive Order 2018-328 to add Kentucky to the growing list of states with Employment First policies for people with disabilities. This Order will ensure that competitive and integrated employment in the community shall be considered the first and primary option for persons with disabilities who want to become employed. This means that all state agencies will work toward making sure people with disabilities have opportunities to work in the community and offer valuable skills to their employers while receiving a competitive wage.
Research Brief Summer 2018
Exploring and Understanding the Advocacy Needs of Kentuckians with Developmental Disabilities
by Chithra Adams, Amanda Corbin, Luke O’Hara, Kathleen Sheppard-Jones, & Malachy Bishop
In this research brief we present the results of a recent needs assessment evaluating the advocacy-based needs for Kentuckians with developmental disabilities and their families. Results highlight the different levels and types of supports needed to build self-advocacy capacity and to inform effective planning and services and the individual, local, and state levels.
UK HDI Receives Grant to Help Serve Individuals With Paralysis
From UKNow:
HDI has received a three-year grant totaling $600,000 from the Administration on Community Living. The project, Wellness Edge, is a Paralysis Resource Center State Pilot program grant. It will build connection within local communities to enhance and facilitate access to recreational programs to better serve people with paralysis and their support networks.
Latest Fund for Excellence: Research on Impact of Physical Activity on ADHD Symptoms
We’re excited to share that HDI will be devoting a Fund for Excellence grant this spring to research focused on “A School-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Children with and without ADHD Symptomology” led by Megan Jaspersen, Dr. Alicia Fedewa, Dr. Heather Erwin, and Morgan Turner.
Congratulations to Lindsey Woosley as the Recipient of the 2018 Paul Kevin Burberry Award!
The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) has presented the 2018 Paul Kevin Burberry Award to Lindsey Woosley. Woosley is a doctoral student in physical therapy at UK and is completing HDI’s Graduate Certificate in Developmental Disabilities.
Perspectives on Youth and Family Engagement
Sean Roy (right), who is the Youth Employment Solutions (YES!) Center’s state liaison to Kentucky and a training associate with TransCen (adapted from “Transition Center”), a national nonprofit organization that specializes in school-to-work transition for students with disabilities, was a guest speaker at a recent KentuckyWorks community conversation and parent engagement training session. Before the events, he provided his perspectives on youth and family engagement around employment for students with disabilities.
KentuckyWorks Post-Secondary Community Conversation
by Amanda Corbin
Nearly 100 people attended a community conversation on May 21 for self-advocates, families, and professionals to discuss how to increase post-secondary opportunities for youth with intellectual disabilities (ID). The conversation was held simultaneously in Morehead, Murray, and Lexington via video conference.
Guest speakers included Cate Weir, Project Director for the Think College National Coordinating Center; Dr. Harold Kleinert, former director of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute; and Dr. Erik Carter, Special Education Professor at Vanderbilt.
Please consider making a donation today to support the good work at HDI as we support families and professionals every day!
KentuckyWorks Family and Youth Engagement Community Conversation
On Tuesday, July 17, 2018, we held a community conversation for youth with intellectual disabilities, families, and professionals to discuss what families and youth need to prepare for the world of work! We heard voices, including parents of younger and older students with disabilities and youth with more significant needs. Check out what themes we learned from the participants at the Youth and Family Engagement Community Conversation.
The 4th Thursday ADA Talks
HDI and HDI CATS have launched an ADA Training series held on the fourth Thursday of each month covering different topics surrounding the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Mark your calendars for upcoming ADA Talks:
- Public Transportation & the ADA: FTA-DOT Regulations: August 23, 2018
- Disability & Law Enforcement: Interaction and Emergency Response: September 27, 2018
- ADA & Public Accommodations: Legal Applications of Title III: October 28, 2019
- (No 4th Thursday ADA Talks in November & December)
- Accessible Technology & the Workforce: AT as a Reasonable Accommodation: January 24, 2019
HDI’s Developmental Disabilities Graduate Certificate Program Invites Tony Dotson to Speak on Leadership
Are leaders born or are they made? Is leadership art or a science? Can you be introverted and be a leader? These are the types of questions graduate students in the Human Development Institute’s (HDI) Leadership course recently discussed in the Developmental Disabilities Graduate Certificate.
“Leadership is an art, and if you know about art, art is always changing and leaders must be open to learning new knowledge about leadership as well,” said Tony Dotson, Director of University of Kentucky Veterans Resource Center.
Unpuzzling Disability: Self Advocates Redefining Leadership held in July
The purpose of this event was to bring together people with all types of disabilities who were interested in developing and sharing leadership skills.The goal of the unconference was to help create some stronger bonds and help us all to think about new ways to work together on issues of importance to our communities.
According to Bev Harp, the conference sought to create some stronger bonds between the self-advocacy groups in Kentucky and help them all to think about new ways to work together on issues of importance to our communities.
