UCLA Tarjan Center

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UCLA Tarjan Center A University Center for Excellence in Disabilities Education, Research and Service.

The Tarjan Center is part of a national network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs).Founded in 1969, the Tarjan Center is unique in the national network. It is the only program based within a Department of Psychiatry (the Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior). Our founder, Dr. George Tarjan, was an internationally recognized expert in the field of developmental disabilities who pioneered clinical services, the training of personnel, and the establishment of a research center dedicated to the field of intellectual disabilities.Today, the Tarjan Center is a bridge connecting the knowledge, expertise and resources of the university to persons with disabilities and the service delivery systems of the community.

Our September Community Lecture Series, featuring Dr. Dorothy Wiley, Professor at UCLA School of Nursing, is now availa...
10/14/2026

Our September Community Lecture Series, featuring Dr. Dorothy Wiley, Professor at UCLA School of Nursing, is now available on our website. Dr. Wiley presented
“From Under Vaccination to Trust & Engagement: A Community-Partnered Pathway to Vaccine Equity.” This lecture explored how the HPV vaccine helps prevent cancer, why some people with disabilities may experience barriers to vaccination, and how research and community partnerships can support informed vaccine choices.

Community discussant Kathleen Barajas, Founder and President of Project Air, also joined the conversation to share her perspective and lived experience.

If you couldn’t join us live, you can stream the full recording now. Recordings are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Tagalog. All recordings feature an American Sign Language interpreter.

Scan the QR code or visit: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2026-2027-presentations

10/14/2026

A glimpse into our Forum panel”Who do you trust? Navigating Myths and Misinformation in Disability Spaces.”

Before the 2026 UCLA Annual Forum, we sat down with Andy Imparato, CEO of Disability Rights California, for a conversation on our In Other Words podcast. In this Forum episode, Andy shares about the importance of trusting your lived experience when navigating information online.

Join us on Friday, October 23 to hear more from Andy Imparato and all the esteemed panelists!

🔗Register today - link in bio

🎙️The full podcast will be available on Spotify and our website after the forum.

Hot off the press! The upcoming UCLA Tarjan Center Forum featured on Newswise 📰Learn more about the conversations ahead,...
10/14/2026

Hot off the press! The upcoming UCLA Tarjan Center Forum featured on Newswise 📰

Learn more about the conversations ahead, from improving disability services to navigating misinformation, supporting mental health, and advancing neurodiversity-affirming education.

Join us virtually on Friday, October 23!
Free and open to everyone.

🔗 Scan the QR code to read the article
🎟️ Register through the link in our bio

10/12/2026

A glimpse into our Forum keynote;

Before the 2026 UCLA Tarjan Center Forum, we sat down with Pete Cervinka, Director of the California Department of Developmental Services, for a conversation on our In Other Words podcast. In this Forum Edition episode, Pete shares the importance of bringing different voices to the table and his plans to build better disability services.

Less than two weeks until the Forum!

🔗 Register today – link in bio.

🎙️The full conversation on In Other Words will be available on Spotify.

This World Mental Health Day, we’re highlighting two back-to-back sessions on mental health at our upcoming UCLA Tarjan ...
10/10/2026

This World Mental Health Day, we’re highlighting two back-to-back sessions on mental health at our upcoming UCLA Tarjan Center Forum: a keynote with Dr. Tony Attwood and a panel featuring professionals and people with lived experience.

Join us to hear about mental health needs, gaps in support, and opportunities to improve care.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
💻 Virtual

Swipe to learn more about both sessions, and register at https://bit.ly/4fsSJ7O

Link in the bio

How can we turn advocacy into action to improve disability services?Join Pete Cervinka, Director of the California Depar...
10/10/2026

How can we turn advocacy into action to improve disability services?

Join Pete Cervinka, Director of the California Department of Developmental Services, and moderator Dr. Jasper Estabillo for “From Advocacy to Action: Building Better Disability Services” at the 2026 UCLA Tarjan Center Forum.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
🕘 Pete’s session: 9:45–10:45 AM Pacific
💻 Online

This fireside chat is part of a full day of conversations on disability services, neurodiversity-affirming education, mental health, and more. Swipe to see the full program!

Register for FREE today: https://bit.ly/4fsSJ7O
Link in our bio

In Case You Missed It!Our August Community Lecture Series, featuring Christine Bagley from the California Department of ...
09/22/2026

In Case You Missed It!

Our August Community Lecture Series, featuring Christine Bagley from the California Department of Developmental Services, is now available on our website. Christine presented “Understanding Strengths & Needs in the California Developmental Service System.” Community discussant Derek Heartthtowe from the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) also joined the conversation to share his perspective and lived experience.

If you couldn’t join us live, you can stream the full recording now. Scan the QR code or visit: www.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/lecture-series

Join us a free online event on Friday, October 23, featuring a full day of conversations focused on disability, neurodiv...
09/21/2026

Join us a free online event on Friday, October 23, featuring a full day of conversations focused on disability, neurodiversity, lived experience, and the systems that shape our communities.

Swipe through for a look at this year’s program and featured sessions, including conversations on disability information and misinformation, mental health across systems and lived experience, and neurodiversity-affirming education.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
💻 Online
🎟️ FREE to attend - Registration required.
🕘 9:30 AM–4:45 PM PT

Register at: bit.ly/4fsSJ7O

Join us for the next UCLA Tarjan Center Community Lecture Series!On Monday, September 21, Dr. Dorothy Wiley will present...
09/03/2026

Join us for the next UCLA Tarjan Center Community Lecture Series!

On Monday, September 21, Dr. Dorothy Wiley will present: From Under-Vaccination to Trust & Engagement: A Community-Partnered Pathway to Vaccine Equity

This free virtual lecture will explore how the HPV vaccine helps prevent cancer, why some people with disabilities may experience barriers to vaccination, and how research and community partnerships can support informed vaccine choices.

📅 Monday, September 21, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:30 PM PDT
💻 Free and live on Zoom

Language access: Live interpretation will be available in ASL, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog, with Zoom auto-captioning available in 35 languages. Swipe to view flyers in multiple languages 👉

🔗 Register using the link in our bio / flyer.

Free educational opportunity for professionals and community partners working in early detection and early intervention!...
09/02/2026

Free educational opportunity for professionals and community partners working in early detection and early intervention!

Join the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and CP Alliance for a free course focused on early identification and intervention for young children with cerebral palsy.

📅 Thursday, September 17
🕘 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
📍 Downtown Los Angeles
💲 Free to attend

Please share with colleagues and networks involved in early detection, early intervention, and services for children ages 0-3.

Address

760 Westwood Plaza 58-228 Semel Institute
Los Angeles, CA
90095

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