Resources

Kentucky Disability Resources: Empowering Individuals and Promoting Independence

Kentucky is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals and living independently in their communities. This comprehensive guide provides a wide range of resources and services available throughout the state, covering areas such as independent living, employment, housing, transportation, assistive technology, and more. Whether you are an individual with a disability, a family member, or a professional working in the field, this directory aims to connect you with the information and support you need to navigate the disability services landscape in Kentucky.

Directory of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Kentucky Disability Resources and Services Employment Resources Assistive Technology Resources Housing Resources Transportation Resources Additional Resources
A chair lift in a home
Photo, an assistive living mobility device on a set of stairs

Directory of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Kentucky

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are non-profit organizations that provide services and support to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently in their communities.

Here is a directory of CILs in Kentucky:

Center for Accessible Living (Louisville)

  • Address: 305 W Broadway, Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40202
  • Phone: (502) 589-6620
  • Email: info@calky.org
  • Website: https://www.calky.org/
  • Service Area: Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble

Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center (Hazard)

  • Address: 1093 Highway 15, Suite 1, Hazard, KY 41701
  • Phone: (606) 436-0000
  • Email: info@drctn.org
  • Website: https://drctn.org/
  • Service Area: Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe

Independence Place (Lexington)

  • Address: 1093 S Broadway, Suite 1218, Lexington, KY 40504
  • Phone: (859) 266-2807
  • Email: info@ipky.org
  • Website: https://www.ipky.org/
  • Service Area: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Woodford

Disability Resources and Services

Kentucky offers a wide range of resources and services to support individuals with disabilities in living independently, accessing employment and housing opportunities, and advocating for their rights.

Here is a list of key disability resources and services in the state:

Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)

  • Description of services and programs: DAIL provides a variety of services and programs to support the independence, dignity, and quality of life for older adults and individuals with disabilities. These include in-home services, community-based services, and long-term care services.
  • Contact information: (502) 564-6930
  • Website link: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

  • Description of services and programs: OVR assists individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment through a variety of services, including vocational assessment, job training, job placement, and post-employment services.
  • Contact information: (502) 564-4440
  • Website link: https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/

Kentucky Disability Determination Services (DDS)

  • Description of services and programs: DDS is responsible for determining the medical eligibility of individuals applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.
  • Contact information: (800) 772-1213
  • Website link: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/determination.htm

Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI)

Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities (CCDD)

  • Description of services and programs: CCDD is a state agency that works to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through advocacy, capacity building, and systems change.
  • Contact information: (502) 564-7841
  • Website link: https://ccdd.ky.gov/

Kentucky Protection and Advocacy (P&A)

  • Description of services and programs: P&A is an independent state agency that protects and promotes the rights of individuals with disabilities through legal advocacy, information and referral services, and education and training.
  • Contact information: (502) 564-2967
  • Website link: https://www.kypa.net/

Assistive Technology Resources

Assistive technology (AT) can greatly enhance the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The following resources provide information on AT services and programs in Kentucky:

Kentucky Assistive Technology Services (KATS) Network

  • Description of services and programs: The KATS Network is a statewide program that provides assistive technology (AT) services to help individuals with disabilities improve their independence, productivity, and quality of life. Services include AT assessments, device demonstrations, short-term device loans, and training.
  • Contact information: (800) 327-5287
  • Website link: https://www.katsnet.org/

Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation (KATLC)

  • Description of services and programs: KATLC is a non-profit organization that provides low-interest loans to Kentuckians with disabilities for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services. This includes equipment such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and adaptive computer software.
  • Contact information: (877) 675-0195
  • Website link: https://katlc.ky.gov/

Employment Resources

Employment is a key factor in promoting independence and self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities. The following resources provide information on employment services and programs in Kentucky:

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

  • Description of employment services and programs: OVR provides a wide range of services to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment. These services include vocational assessment, counseling and guidance, job training, job placement, and post-employment services.
  • Contact information: (502) 564-4440
  • Website link: https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/

Kentucky Career Centers

  • Description of services and programs: Kentucky Career Centers offer a variety of employment and training services for job seekers and employers. Services include job search assistance, career counseling, skills assessment, labor market information, and access to training programs.
  • Directory of Career Center locations and contact information: A complete list of Kentucky Career Center locations and contact information can be found at https://kcc.ky.gov/Pages/Locations.aspx

Kentucky Business Leadership Network (KYBLN)

  • Description of services and programs: KYBLN is a network of employers, service providers, and individuals with disabilities working together to promote disability inclusion in the workplace. The organization provides resources, training, and support to help businesses recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities.
  • Contact information: (502) 573-2604
  • Website link: https://kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/kblnaboutus/Pages/default.aspx

Housing Resources

Affordable and accessible housing is essential for individuals with disabilities to live independently in their communities. The following resources provide information on housing programs and services in Kentucky:

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC)

  • Description of housing programs and services: KHC offers a variety of housing programs and services to help Kentuckians achieve and maintain affordable, safe, and sustainable housing. These include homeownership loans, down payment assistance, rental assistance, and home repair and weatherization programs.
  • Contact information: (800) 633-8896
  • Website link: https://www.kyhousing.org/

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Kentucky Office

  • Description of housing programs and services: HUD provides a range of housing programs and services, including rental assistance, public housing, housing choice vouchers, and fair housing enforcement. The Kentucky office oversees the implementation of these programs in the state.
  • Contact information: (502) 582-5251
  • Website link: https://www.hud.gov/states/kentucky

Transportation Resources

Accessible transportation is crucial for individuals with disabilities to fully participate in their communities. The following resources provide information on transportation services and programs in Kentucky:

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)

  • Description of transportation programs and services: KYTC is responsible for maintaining and improving the state’s transportation infrastructure, including highways, bridges, airports, and public transit systems. The cabinet also provides a variety of services, such as driver licensing, vehicle registration, and motor carrier regulation.
  • Contact information: (502) 564-4890
  • Website link: https://transportation.ky.gov/

Kentucky Public Transit Association (KPTA)

  • Directory of public transit providers in Kentucky: KPTA is a non-profit organization that represents public transit providers throughout the state. Their website includes a directory of member agencies, which provide public transportation services in their respective regions.
  • Contact information: (502) 695-4290
  • Website link: https://www.kypublictransit.org/

Additional Resources

In addition to the resources and services listed above, there are several other important sources of information and support for individuals with disabilities in Kentucky:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information and Technical Assistance

  • The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.
  • For ADA information and technical assistance, contact the ADA National Network:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Information

  • SSDI provides benefits to disabled individuals who have worked and paid into the Social Security system, while SSI provides financial assistance to low-income individuals with disabilities.
  • For information on SSDI and SSI, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA):

Medicaid and Medicare Information

  • Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals, including those with disabilities. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, as well as some younger individuals with disabilities.
  • For information on Medicaid in Kentucky, contact the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services:
  • For information on Medicare, contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):

Disability Rights and Advocacy Organizations

  • These organizations work to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities and advocate for their full inclusion in society. Some notable organizations include:

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Kentucky SILC at megan@kysilc.org or 270-238-0789