Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities

09/04/2025

Join University of Kentucky Human Development Institute - HDI on September 24 at 1pm for the Improving Transition Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities seminar.

Register now at https://uky.zoom.us/meeting/register/1tyOzScFRw2I9ueayqowew

Title: Improving Transition Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities
Date and Time: September 24, 2025 at 1-3pm ET

Presenters: Dylan Kissack, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Kentucky Career Center, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; Kara Ayers, PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Director at the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCCEDD); Austin Nugent, Disability Program Administrator, Human Development Institute, University of Kentucky; Tony LoBianco, PhD, Director of Kentucky Post School Outcomes (KYPSO) project, Human Development Institute, University of Kentucky.

Description: This presentation will focus on transition into adulthood for youth with disabilities. Following a data driven discussion of post school outcomes for youth with disabilities in Kentucky, presenters will highlight ways for improving outcomes for youth with disabilities in employment, education, and health care. In addition, resources and information for youth with disabilities, family members, and professionals will be identified.

CRC credits are approved in Rehabilitation Counseling. CRC credits are in conjunction with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. School Psychologists may receive up to 2 CPD clock hours. Continuing Education units are approved for Physical Therapy for a category 2 course. This seminar is part of the HDI Seminar Series.

Contact walt.bower@uky.edu with any questions.

09/04/2025

Every family deserves clear info about school supports. This free KY-SPIN session breaks down evaluations, meetings, and your rights in special education. Choose morning or evening to fit your schedule.
9/8 morning 🌞11:00 am - 12:30 pm, OR evening 🌙6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.
https://tinyurl.com/547uuakt

09/04/2025

On July 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise the implementing regulations for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The comment period for the NPRM was scheduled to close on September 2, 2025. With this notice...

09/02/2025

This is so very important for caregivers! Today is the LAST day for input!

08/29/2025

The 2026 Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) CSNA Survey is now open, and they would love to hear from you!
This survey is part of a statewide assessment led by the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI). HDI has a team that specializes in research and evaluation working with OVR to gather feedback from people who know OVR best, like you.
We’re collecting input from:
• People with disabilities
• Family members and caregivers
• OVR staff
• Service providers
• Employers
• Advocates and community members
Your feedback helps us find out what’s working and what needs to change. We use surveys, interviews, and other tools to learn what people with disabilities need to reach their employment goals. We then share what we learn with KY OVR in a report with recommendations for improving outcomes.
👉 Take the survey here:https://tinyurl.com/OVR-survey

The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) helps people with disabilities achieve their career goals and live more independently. They provide services like job training, career counseling, and help with technology and transportation to make it easier for individuals to succeed in the wo...

08/28/2025

Keep up with what Medicaid is doing by attending or watching the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Committee meetings. Do so here:

08/25/2025

On August 22, 2025 the full Council convened for a quarterly meeting.

Council members from left to right:
Front Row: Laura Butler, Danny Slaton, Ryan Guyder, David Allgood and Camille Collins
Second Row: Casey Allen, Chad Hunt, Andrea Strassburg, Amy Smith, Kelly Jones and Scott Collins
Not Pictured: Kristen Beach, Meagan Brannon, Jaz Brown, Nick Carpenter, Jake Cruz, Donna Deal, Blaire Handshoe, Barb Locker, Darrell Mattingly, Heather McConnell, Sharon Raymond, Mack Thompson, Leigh Van Hooser, Regina Watts, Jason Wheatley

08/25/2025

https://charity.pledgeit.org/bluegrassautismwalk

The Autism Society of the Bluegrass is a resource and support group for families and professionals in the Central Kentucky area who are involved with autism. We are a chapter of the Autism Society of America and a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. We provide education as well as scholarships for....

08/25/2025

It's always great when national conferences are within driving distance. Don't miss this one!

I’ll be in the Cincinnati, OH area on September 19 for a full-day autism conference with Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, and Sean Barron. We’ll each be sharing insights, tools, and strategies to better support individuals with autism across all stages of life.

https://www.fhautism.com/about-our-autism-conferences/autism-conference-with-temple-grandin-sean-barron-and-brenda-smith-myles-phd-cincinnati-oh-september-19-2025/

08/21/2025

What a great partnership!

08/21/2025

This is a great opportunity to learn about social connections from national experts!

Join Commit to Connect on September 9–10 for the 2025 National Summit to Increase Social Connections. This free, virtual event will explore strategies to grow, replicate, and scale innovative programs that promote social connection. Registration required. https://acl.gov/news-and-events/announcements/register-2025-national-summit-increase-social-connections

08/18/2025

Disability can happen at any time during our lives. Amputation is an event that can cause disability. Living with limb loss often brings changes to daily routines, but it doesn’t have to mean giving up independence. Luckily, advancements in prosthetics and modifications have helped many amputees in daily activities, such as driving. Check out this great resource for driving with limb differences:

Advancements in prosthetics and modifications have helped many amputees continue to participate in everyday activities they might have otherwise lost out on, including driving.