Welcome to the Human Development Institute (HDI)
This manual is designed to introduce new employees (full and part-time, temporary, and students) to policies, procedures, and organizational structure to support success in your new position. HDI administers over 50 projects that promote the contributions, inclusion and independence of people with disabilities and their families . We collaborate with people with disabilities, families, federal, state, and local agencies, community organizations, and University partners.
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
The University of Kentucky (UK) HDI is one of 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). Since 1963, UCEDDs have worked toward a vision of a nation in which all Americans, including those with disabilities, participate fully in their communities. Independence, productivity, and community inclusion are key components of this vision. The UCEDDs work with people with disabilities, family members, state and local government agencies, and community providers through projects that provide training, technical assistance, service, research, and information sharing, which increases the capacity of communities to sustain all citizens. Visit http://www.aucd.org/template/index.cfm to learn more.
Mission
HDI promotes the inclusion, independence, and contributions of people with disabilities and their families throughout their lifespan. We achieve our mission through education, research and evaluation, information sharing, leadership, and advocacy across Kentucky and the nation.
Core Values
HDI has adopted the following core values to guide its internal conduct and relationship and interactions with others. These core values include:
- cultural and linguistic competence in all of our work and products;
- demonstrating of respect of all individuals;
- promoting self-determination through individual communication, learning, choices, and self-advocacy;
- full access in education, work, health, housing, recreation, and relationships across our communities;
- cultivating both individual and organization learning;
- engaging in open and responsive communication; and
- fostering creativity, flexibility, and collaboration.
HDI Staff is expected to operationalize these core values by:
- Adhering to University policies and procedures;
- Producing high quality work;
- Respecting the ideas, values, and contributions of others;
- Identifying and/or supporting creative approaches to the organization’s continuous improvement; and
- Supporting the establishment and maintenance of an environment that creates inclusive communities for the future.
Goals
The goals of HDI support changing lives through changing practice. These goals include:
- Research & Scholarship: Expand our scholarship, creative endeavors, and research across the full range of disciplines to focus on the most important challenges of the Commonwealth, our nation, and the world.
- Diversity & Inclusivity: Enhance our diversity and inclusivity by engaging in diverse world views, as well as through recruitment, promotion, and retention of an increasingly diverse staff and students.
- Graduate and Undergraduate Success: Prepare students to be responsive to an ever-changing world by creating learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Community Engagement & Collaboration: Improve the quality of life of Kentuckians through community engagement, information sharing, and service.