Listen to All Family Voices to Help Children With Disabilities

In Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion.This episode features Dr. Claudia Dunn, a leading researcher in social-emotional learning (SEL) and educational equity. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Dunn about a social-emotional, equity-focused approach to supporting children with disabilities and their families.Together, they discuss: - What Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) families are and the role of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in special education- What barriers affect families’ participation in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) meetings- How culture, language, and policy shape access and equity- Why centering family voices mattersIn Other Words is a podcast from the UCLA Tarjan Center where people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities interview researchers, policymakers, and experts in the field of developmental disabilities. Each episode takes presentations from the Tarjan Center Distinguished Lecture Series and turns them into clear, plain-language conversations so everyone can understand and join the discussion.This episode features Dr. Claudia Dunn, a leading researcher in social-emotional learning (SEL) and educational equity. Host Holly Oliver, Disability Rights Advocate at the UCLA Tarjan Center, talks with Dr. Dunn about a social-emotional, equity-focused approach to supporting children with disabilities and their families.Together, they discuss: - What Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) families are and the role of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in special education- What barriers affect families’ participation in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) meetings- How culture, language, and policy shape access and equity- Why centering family voices mattersListen now to hear Dr. Dunn explain how centering family voices and lived experience can improve systems and create more inclusive support.Show Notes:To view this podcast episode with full captions, visit: https://youtu.be/1XeQiYBCp2gTo view the entire presentation “Centering Voices, Strengths, and Healing: A Social-Emotional and Equity-Focused Approach to Supporting Children with Disabilities and Their Families” with captions, visit: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan/2025-2026-presentationsLearn more about the UCLA Tarjan Center: https://teams.semel.ucla.edu/tarjan