Feedback Sought for Disability Services

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 9, 2010) - The University of Kentucky's Human Development Institute (HDI), Kentucky’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service, reaches more than 25,000 people each year. These individuals, including those with disabilities, their caregivers, and disability services professionals, all have a chance to offer feedback on their experiences with HDI during upcoming public forums held 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, July 20.

The forums, which will take place in Paducah, Bowling Green, Louisville, Frankfort, Florence, Lexington and Hazard, represent an important part of HDI's complete review by the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the services HDI provides.

"We welcome feedback from the many people the Human Development Institute has reached over the years," said HDI Director Harold Kleinert. "With nearly 30 projects serving individuals with developmental disabilities through research, service and training, we constantly strive to provide the highest level of professionalism and service. We want to hear both what we are doing right and areas we can improve upon."

The forums also provide individuals a chance to offer feedback on their experiences with the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Kentucky Division of Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Those who plan to attend and require special accommodations should contact the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities by calling toll-free 1-877-367-5332 by the end of business hours Thursday, July 15.   Public comments must be limited to no more than three minutes for each speaker.

Forums will be held at the following locations:

-- Four Rivers Behavioral Health

425 Broadway

Paducah, KY 42001

-- LifeSkills Inc.

380 Suwannee Trail St.

Bowling Green, KY 42102

-- Center for Accessible Living

305 W. Broadway, Suite 200

Louisville, KY 40202

-- Dept. of Behavioral Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

100 Fair Oaks Lane, 4th Floor

Conference Room A and B

Frankfort, KY 40601

-- Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Department for Community Based Services

Victory Centre

8311 U.S. Hwy. 42, Suite 2

Florence, KY 41042

-- Human Development Institute

Coldstream Bldg.

1525 Bull Lea Rd., Suite 160

Lexington, KY 40511

-- UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health-Hazard

750 Morton Blvd.

Hazard, KY 41701

Those unable to attend may share their experiences by e-mail, phone, fax or mail. Comments must be received by July 16, 2010.

Email: Sara.Newell@acf.hhs.gov

Telephone: (202) 690-5963

Fax: (202) 205-8037 (Please note "public forum comments" on the subject line.)    

Mail:    Administration on Developmental Disabilities

            Attention: Sara Newell

            200 Independence Ave., SW, Room 405D

            Washington, DC 20201