To me, HDI is my place, my dream job. I hope to stay with HDI for the duration of my career. I feel so blessed and lucky to be a part of HDI, and to get to do work that I love, that I continue to learn from, and that can make a difference individually and systemically. —Christina Espinosa Bard, MRC, CRC, HDI Community Education Director
How did you come to know HDI?
Dr. Sheppard-Jones was adjunct faculty in my Master’s program, Rehabilitation Counseling. Continue reading
HDI was my work family for 28 years. It means a lot to me. I am proud to tell people that I work/worked with HDI. HDI means innovation; cutting edge; an umbrella of excellence for all aspects of disability; a “think outside the box” group of people working for the greater common good. —Beth Harrison, Retired Principal Investigator for SHEP and other transition projects
How did you come to know HDI?
I was lucky to get a proposal funded that the Kentucky Department of Education wanted to partner with HDI on.
How long were you with HDI and what was your role?
A long time! From 1990 through 2019, I’ve held various roles at HDI with the main focus being on transition of youth from school to community.
Continue reading
HDI is a very special place. I feel so fortunate to have worked in such a healthy environment of professionals. —Laura Lamminen, Former HDI Graduate Certificate Student and Research Assistant
How did you come to know HDI?
As a student at UK, I learned about the center from Dr. Kleinert, who taught one of my classes in Special Education.
How long were you with HDI and what was your role?
I was with HDI for three years; first as a research assistant for the Mid-South Regional Resource Center, and in my last year, I served on the TNSIG grant working under Jocelyn Cooledge. Continue reading
My advice for current and future staff and students at HDI is that there are many ways to address issues that we come across in our work, and the diverse ways of considering approaches that our staff have is one of HDI’s most valuable resources. — Tony Lobianco, Principal Investigator/Project Director of the Kentucky Post School Outcomes Center
How did you come to know HDI?
I heard about HDI when Claudia Earnharth told me about a research assistant position.
How long were you with HDI and what was your role?
I’ve been at HDI almost 17 years, first as an RA, then a STEPS employee, then full-time member of Evaluation Unit, and now Project Director with KyPSO.
Continue reading
To us, HDI means hope. When all is dark, HDI is a bright light leading, teaching, and training those who find that their purpose is to work with those who are unable to fit into the mainstream. Every year as we attend the annual meeting, we are greeted by familiar and new faces, all who are dedicated to a purpose much larger than themselves. —Clyde David and Susan Burberry