Episode Details

Advocacy starts with one voice—but together, those voices create lasting change.

In this episode of DSACO Up for Discussion, Sarah Soell sits down with Wanda Felty, Assistant Director and Community Leadership & Advocacy Coordinator at the Center for Learning and Leadership (CLL) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, for an inspiring conversation about advocacy, leadership, and empowering individuals with disabilities and their families.

Whether you're a parent just beginning your journey, a self-advocate, a professional, or someone passionate about inclusion, this episode is filled with practical advice, valuable resources, and encouragement to help you confidently navigate services and create meaningful change.

In This Episode

• What advocacy really means—and why it matters
• Tips for navigating IEP meetings, healthcare, and disability services
• How families can build confidence when speaking up
• The importance of self-advocacy from childhood through adulthood
• An inside look at the Oklahoma LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program
• How LEND develops future leaders, professionals, family advocates, and self-advocates
• The Guide to Community Services in Oklahoma and why it's an essential resource for families
• How organizations can work together to create more inclusive communities
• Advocacy at the policy level and how every voice can make a difference
• Preventing burnout while continuing to advocate for those you love

Resources Mentioned

• Oklahoma LEND Program: https://ouhsc.edu/thecenter/Projects/Training-and-Collaboration/OKLEND

• Guide to Community Services in Oklahoma: https://ouhsc.edu/thecenter/Publications/Publication-Details/guide-to-community-services

• Center for Learning and Leadership (CLL): https://ouhsc.edu/thecenter