HDI grant to advance employer engagement strategies in vocational rehabilitation
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2025) — The University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI) received $3.2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education to support a nationwide effort to engage employers and improve job opportunities for people with disabilities.
The “Training Innovation Project (TIP): Demand-Side Employer Engagement Strategies in Vocational Rehabilitation” focuses on building the skills and capacity of rehabilitation professionals, employers and future practitioners through evidence-based and accessible training. The project addresses a significant national need of connecting businesses with a talented workforce that includes people with disabilities, while supporting vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals who serve as the bridge between job seekers and employers.
“We are thrilled to support new learning and AI opportunities for rehabilitation staff to strengthen relationships with employers,” said Kathy Sheppard-Jones, Ph.D., HDI researcher and TIP project director. “This funding will enable us to develop responsive and cutting-edge trainings that build on strong partnerships we have with workforce, health care and education. We will share strategies for working with businesses that can be replicated throughout the country. Ultimately, this will lead to improved employment outcomes for a largely overlooked segment of the talent pool — people with disabilities.”
The TIP project will include a range of training and enrichment activities to help strengthen disability hiring and retention. These include hands-on learning experiences that bring the experience of employer engagement to the VR professional through virtual reality. Video self-modeling will let learners view themselves successfully connecting and communicating with business contacts. A Disability Hiring and Retention Academy will bring employers and workforce together to develop strategies that lead to more applicants and hires who happen to have disabilities. A new credential for professionals who work directly with employers will also be available through the TIP online learning hub.
Grant partners include the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board, Kentucky Hospital Association, Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, Jobs for America’s Graduates Kentucky, Kentucky Nurses Association and CareerViewXR.
This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education as part of an award H263G250007 totaling $3,200,000 with 100% funded by the Department of Education.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.