Past Events

Summit 2025 brings together leading experts from across the country to share the latest advances in understanding and supporting emotional well-being and neurodivergence from childhood to adulthood.

This year, sessions are organized into four themes to guide your learning:  

• Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health
• Learning & Development
• Social Communication & Connection
• Therapeutic Supports

Widely recognized as a leading conference for parents, clinicians, students, educators, and caregivers, the Summit offers practical strategies, CE credits, and invaluable networking.

Register now and save 20% with our pre-sale discount! Regional Center funding is available for parents.

Location: Skirball Cultural Center | Los Angeles, CA
Date: November 14, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

It’s the disability community’s gathering of the year, where people with disabilities, families, and allies connect, learn, and lead the fight for inclusion.

Registration is now open. And yes, you absolutely belong here!

Why now? Because rights are being rolled back. Services are under attack. And respect for our community is unraveling in plain sight. This is the moment to show up.

Early bird pricing ends September 24, so lock in your spot and big savings.

What’s waiting in Charlotte?

• Sessions that speak to you. We’re digging into the issues that matter most to the disability community, led by people with lived experience.
• Judy Woodruff, live on stage. The legendary journalist and mom to a disabled child will center stories too often left out.
• Connections that last. Bring your questions, your ideas, your fire. Leave with new allies and fresh energy.
• Built by and for people with disabilities and those who fight alongside them. Everyone here helps shape what comes next.

Charlotte, North Carolina | November 13–15

We’re heading to a city that’s vibrant, welcoming, and committed to disability rights. Think accessible venues, green spaces, Southern hospitality, award-winning food, and a diverse local community.

Location: Charlotte, NC
Date: November 13 – 15, 2025

Our Adaptive All-Star program gives kids of all abilities the chance to shine through a variety of adaptive sports! Participants will build skills, improve coordination, and gain confidence while enjoying activities such as wheelchair basketball, boccia, volleyball, pickleball, and more. Designed to support youth with or without disabilities, this program encourages teamwork, fitness, and friendship in a fun and inclusive environment. Parent participation is welcomed and highly encouraged!

Location: 5505 Dewey Ave., Riverside, CA 92504
Date: October 31 to November 21, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Join us for a spooky evening of fun activities! Featuring pumpkin decorating, a candy hunt, and lots of tasty treats.

Location: 403 West Adams Boulevard Los Angeles, CA
Date: October 29, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

It’s October and spooky season is here! 🎃🍬 Got plans? Cancel them. Seriously. The Disability Fall Festival is the only SoCal event where you can eat candy, show off your costume, dance to music, play games, and celebrate disability pride all at once. This is one festival you do not want to ghost! 👻

What You’ll Find at the Festival:

🎶 Music and dancing to get everyone moving

🍔 Tasty food and beverages to enjoy

🎯 Games for kids, teens & adults

🧗 An adaptive climbing wall for all abilities

👻 A haunted maze that’s spooky but fun

🎨 Face painting

📸 Photo booth

🍬 Candy at every table

🐑 Friendly petting zoo

💡 20+ Local community resources and info tables

💜 A celebration of Disability Pride & inclusion

Costumes HIGHLY encouraged

Admission is FREE, no registration required

Location: 4801 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA
Date: October 25, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Welcome to the ICAN Inclusive Halloween Festival 2025! Join us for a spooktacular time filled with fun activities, costume contests, and delicious treats. Embrace the Halloween spirit in person with your friends and family. Get ready to enjoy a day of joy and laughter as we celebrate inclusivity and diversity. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to create unforgettable memories. See you there!

Location: 2300 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501
Date: October 25, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Wanna play together? My PlayClub is our FREE community outreach program that brings together kids of ALL abilities for a fun playdate at our inclusive playgrounds. We provide crafts, temp tattoos, stories, and snacks. Plus, we often have special guests and activities. My PlayClub meets every other month at a different playground in Los Angeles. We also have My PlayClub at other cities around the world.

Location: Glendale, CA
Date: October 25, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Enjoy a fun I-Spy Halloween Train Ride around a family-friendly, seasonally decorated, mile-long track.
Find each hidden pumpkins and Halloween items on the map!

Get a treat for riding and enjoy activities and photo opportunities in the GPS Activity Area!

Last train leaves at 5pm, but the activity and games area closes at 3:30pm.

Location: 4400 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Date: October 25 – 26, and November 1 – 2, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Celebrate 25 Years of Strides!

Join us for our 25th annual Strides 5k run and 3k family fun walk on Saturday, October 25th at Angel Stadium in Anaheim! Strides is a celebration of disability pride and community spirit that brings people together to raise awareness and funds for Easterseals Southern California.

Every step taken helps support the vital services we provide each year for more than 25,000 people and their families, including early childhood programs, autism services, daily and independent living services for adults, employment services, and more.

Location: 2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806
Date: October 25, 2025
Time: 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM

The 2025 UCLA Tarjan Center Forum aims to foster discussions among self-advocates, families, and professionals. Faculty presentations, community member discussants, and audience Q & A will highlight the latest advancements in research and evidence-based practice in neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Agenda

Friday, October 24, 2025 | 9:00 – 4:30 PM (PDT)

Location: Online | Register here or by email: TarjanCenter@mednet.ucla.edu

9:00 am – 9:30 am: Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Overview of the Tarjan Center

9:30 am – 10:30 am: Keynote Presentation by Pete Cervinka, Director of the CA Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

10:30 am – 10:45 am: Morning Break

10:45 am – 11:45 am: Panel Presentation on Employment for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

11:45 am – 12:45 pm: Lunch Break

12:45 pm – 1:45 pm: Presentation by Dr. Cathy Lord, UCLA George Tarjan Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm: Afternoon Break

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Presentation by Dr. Blake Warner, UCLA PEERS Clinic Postdoctoral Fellow

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Afternoon Break

3:15 pm – 4:15 pm: Presentation by Dr. Maya Ayoub, UCLA Child Neurology Clinical Instructor

4:15 pm – 4:30 pm: Closing Remarks

Location: Via Zoom
Date: October 24, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM