HDI Spotlight Profile – Page 10

HDI 50th Anniversary Spotlight on Marlene B Huff

Posted on April 10, 2019 | by HDITrex

HDI is only a few buildings from the outside. From the inside, it is filled with experts in the disability movement. It is envied by other states and sometimes taken for granted by Kentuckians. Each individual represents a unique compilation of people whose heartfelt work is as diverse as persons with disabilities themselves. Love the work! Here’s to the next 50 years! —Marlene B Huff, Former Associate Director of the KEI

How did you come to know HDI?

In 1993, Dr. Brent Garrett and I discussed my joining a 3-year demonstration project titled The Kentucky Employment Initiative (KEI). In 1994, I began work at HDI as an Associate Director of the KEI. Such an exciting time. Dr. Garrett, Norb Ryan, and I traveled the state educating public and private entities about a ‘new’ law called The American with Disabilities Act. Continue reading →

HDI 50th Anniversary Spotlight on Norb Ryan

Posted on March 28, 2019 | by HDITrex

Being a part of HDI not only helped me grow professionally but allowed me to meet a remarkable group of people. Those people and the HDI projects will continue today and, in the future, to have a positive impact in the state as well as nationally. —Norb Ryan, HDI Staff and Advisory Council Member

How did you come to know HDI?

I became aware of HDI while I was employed at Cardinal Hill in the early 70s.

How long have you been involved with HDI and in what role?

I was involved with HDI for eight years as an employee, and for 13 years representing the Office of the State ADA Coordinator. I was on the staff from the fall of 1992 through January 2001. I was a member of the Kentucky Employment Initiative as the ADA Specialist. The ADA had recently been passed and someone was needed to understand the ADA and conduct trainings for UK students. After that grant was completed, I was the Director of the Kentucky Mentor initiative (KMI). The KMI found successful people with disabilities. These people would then present in the classrooms to show high school students, their parents, and teachers that people with disabilities can and do succeed. My last project was the ADA Initiative which trained parents, teachers, and students about the rights people with disabilities have under the ADA and how to properly access those rights. I was also part of the HDI team that created the Kentucky Business Leadership Network. I also represented HDI as a member of the National Board of Directors of AAUCP FOR 7 years, as well as co-chair of the national Consumer Advocacy Council. After I left HDI, I served as a member of the HDI Advisory Council for 13 years.

Continue reading →

HDI 50th Anniversary Spotlight — Brent Garrett

Posted on March 21, 2019 | by HDITrex

HDI meant opportunity for me. One was the focus on increasing opportunities for individuals with disabilities in schools and in the community, the focus that brought up all together. But there was also the opportunity for personal growth. It’s amazing how many HDI employees furthered their education while working more than full-time, supporting families, and trying to find time to have fun. So many HDI employees were also leaders in their field, volunteering time to serve on committees or in leadership positions in professional organizations. HDI is the rare organization where I’ve seen these kinds of opportunities offered and taken advantage of.
—Brent Garrett, HDI Principal Investigator and Staff

Continue reading →

HDI 50th Anniversary Spotlight — Sonja Feist-Price

Posted on March 15, 2019 | by HDITrex

HDI is an indispensable resource for our state and the Commonwealth and serves as a very important reason why we are the University FOR Kentucky. —Sonja Feist-Price, UK Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Member

How long have you been involved with HDI and what is your role?

I’ve been a faculty member in the Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Counseling since 1992. It has been an honor and a privilege to work in collaboration with and have the support of HDI. Continue reading →

HDI 50th Anniversary Spotlight — Debra Harley

Posted on March 12, 2019 | by HDITrex

To me, HDI means community – a community of consumers and professionals working for the common good. — Debra Harley, Developmental Disabilities Certificate Program Faculty

How did you come to know HDI?

My relationship with HDI is a natural fit because of the study of and service to people with disabilities. What HDI does is provide an instantaneous application of best practices to improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities. Continue reading →