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American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
2026

National Leadership Award

President’s Award

Champion of Inclusive Community Award

Disability Ministry Network : Board of Directors 

Koinonia Inclusion Network (KIN) : Advisory Council 

Respectability

Wheaton Center on Faith and Disability

With Ministries : Board Member 

Classroom Experiences of Students With Visual Impairments Who Use Assistive Technology

Barriers to Belonging: The Church Experiences of Families of Children with Disabilities

Faithful Inclusion: The Hopes Held by Parents of Children with Disabilities

“It’s So Tough!”: Barriers to Respite Care for Families of Children With Disabilities

A Portrait of Paid Employment Pathways for High School Students with Extensive Support Needs

Dr. Erik Carter, The Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities in Baylor's Moody School of Education, focuses his research and writing on principle-driven and research-based strategies for promoting full participation, relationships, and valued roles for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He serves as Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, which aims to promote the thriving of people with disabilities and their families. He joined the Baylor faculty from Vanderbilt in 2023.

One strand of Dr. Carter’s research addresses the intersections of faith and disability. His work in this area addresses the spiritual lives and flourishing of people with IDD and their families, the practices and postures of inclusive churches, and faith-based partnerships with disability service systems. A second strand explores the pathways to inclusion and belonging for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He is particularly interested in capturing the reciprocal and lasting benefits that come through friendships and life lived together in community.

Dr. Carter has co-authored seven books and more than 300 journal articles, chapters, and other publications. His scholarship and advocacy have also been recognized with awards from All Belong, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Association of University Centers on Disability, and the Council for Exceptional Children. A Wheaton College graduate, Dr. Carter earned his M.Ed. and Ph.D. from Vanderbilt.

Disabilities

Belonging

Inclusion

Accessibility

Faith and Disability

Flourishing Lives

Faculty Profile

Personal Website

Google Scholar Profile

DOWNLOADABLE: Does Your School Use These 10 Dimensions of Student Belonging?

Baylor’s Disability & Church conversation emphasizes belonging

Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities | Executive Director, Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing

What if society moved past inclusion and focused on belonging? For people with developmental disabilities, belonging means more than being present, it means being invited, welcomed, known, accepted, supported, heard, befriended, needed, and loved. By practicing these ten dimensions of belonging, communities can move from living near one another to truly living with one another, creating spaces where everyone can flourish together. Dr. Erik Carter is Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities. His research and writing focus on principle-driven and research-based strategies for promoting full participation, relationships, and valued roles for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He serves as Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, which aims to promote the thriving of people with disabilities and their families. He joined the Baylor faculty in 2023. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Belonging Together, Flourishing Together | Erik Carter | TEDxBaylor University

Dr. Erik Carter shares from his research and personal experience about how Christian faith informs perspectives on disability. He unpacks 10 dimensions of belonging in community spaces, including schools and churches, along with actionable next steps.

- Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing
- “Disability is among us, and when we think about our schools and our congregations, we want to make sure that kids with disabilities are also with us as well.”
- “Every single person is created in the image of God with dignity and worth and gifts to share.”
- “Disability doesn’t diminish faith; it can often deepen faith.”
- “As a Christian, our faith shapes how we see people with disabilities, not as people who are broken or challenged or who have deficits or deficiencies, or all those things that come to mind when the world thinks about disability, but as people who are gifted and image bearers and wonderfully made and beloved.”
- “Our faith calls us to respond differently, to be barrier breakers and diminishers of stigma.”
- “One in three families has at least one member that identifies as having a disability.”
- “Disability is a natural part of the human experience, and if we’re not encountering people with disabilities, we might want to think about broadening who we think about as our neighbor and with whom we pursue relationships.”
- The 10 Dimensions of Belonging: Present, invited, welcomed, known, accepted, supported, heard, befriended, needed, loved
- Access additional resources for the church about the 10 Dimensions here
- “Who do I know is in my community but isn’t part of this program or activity or school, and what is it that is standing in the way of that happening?”
- “That sense of ‘I don’t want to do it poorly’ leads us to not do anything at all.”
- “You can’t learn to do this well from a distance; you have to step into it and experience this and wrestle through it.”
- Reflection Questions: What are we doing really well? What could we do better to open up the experience of belonging? What should we prioritize next?
- “Those who the world so often overlooks are the ones who lead us back to what matters most.”
- “This sense of experience of belonging is a mutual benefit; we all flourish when those whom we presume are less capable and less valuable are actually centered in our communities.”

What’s changing our lives:

Keane: New software for website management
Heather: Writing on mirror with chalk markers
Erik: Learning to slow his pace

Weekly Spotlight: Grace International School (https://teachbeyond.org/go/explore/opportunities-gis-thailand)

We’d love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org
Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast
Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

Faith and Disability: 10 Dimensions of Belonging | Teacher’s Desk with Erik Carter (Ep. 203)

Watch this Main Stage talk with Dr. Erik Carter from Disability and the Church Conference 2025.

MAIN STAGE 2025 // Erik Carter

Disability touches nearly 70 million Americans and affects one in three families, yet many schools, churches, and community organizations still struggle to fully welcome and support people with disabilities in daily life. What would it look like if everyone could move from inclusion to belonging, where individuals with disabilities are empowered to fully contribute in the lives of their communities? Erik Carter came to Baylor University from Vanderbilt University in 2022 to blaze new trails in research at the intersection of faith and disability. He takes listeners inside that work and shares the conviction that everyone’s contributions are vital.
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Beyond Inclusion: Faith, Disability and the Power of Belonging

We all long to belong. But for many families experiencing disability, true belonging can feel out of reach. In this episode, researcher and advocate Erik Carter joins Amy Julia Becker to unpack how small steps toward inclusion and belonging can transform entire communities. They explore:

• How families can foster communities of belonging
• Common barriers that block belonging
• The benefits for everyone when communities embrace belonging

00:00 Introduction to Belonging 
02:19 The 10 Dimensions of Belonging
06:03 Barriers to Belonging
09:04 Inclusion and Advocacy
15:26 The Cost of Belonging
18:36 Simple Steps Families Can Take Toward Belonging
20:25 Exclusion, Disability, and Community Flourishing

Find more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

Join the conversation on Substack: 
https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

Where you can find me:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyjuliabecker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjuliabeckerwriter

Threads: 
https://www.threads.net/@amyjuliabecker

Disability &amp; Belonging: “We Aren’t Us Without You” with Erik Carter | Take the Next Step podcast

About the Guest(s):

Erik Carter serves as Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, which aims to promote the thriving of people with disabilities and their families. He joined the Baylor faculty in 2023. His research and writing focus on principle-driven and research-based strategies for promoting full participation, relationships, and valued roles for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

One strand of his research addresses the intersections of faith and disability. Dr. Carter’s work in this area addresses the spiritual lives and flourishing of people with IDD and their families, the practices and postures of inclusive churches, and faith-based partnerships with disability service systems. A second strand explores the pathways to inclusion and belonging for individuals with IDD. He is particularly interested in capturing the reciprocal and lasting benefits that come through friendships and life lived together in community.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, Tim Villegas welcomes Erik Carter, the esteemed Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, to discuss the intricate topics of disability, inclusion, and belonging. Erik shares updates on his current work at Baylor and the initiatives he is spearheading to promote flourishing within communities, schools, and faith congregations. Erik's transition from Vanderbilt to Baylor signifies his broader focus on community-wide inclusion and ensuring every individual's sense of belonging and purpose.

Erik delves into the concept of "flourishing" versus "thriving," defining flourishing as living rich, full, and abundant lives with strong relationships, community connections, and a sense of purpose. In a thought-provoking discussion, Erik outlines ten dimensions of belonging that extend beyond mere inclusion to emphasize the importance of being invited, welcomed, known, accepted, and loved. The conversation highlights the practical, everyday actions that can foster these dimensions of belonging in both educational and faith-based settings, encouraging listeners to re-evaluate and improve their approaches to inclusion and community building.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/CfJq-Oo4E_1D2ljznGNv0hNFOxQ

Key Takeaways:
-Erik Carter's move from Vanderbilt to Baylor emphasizes a broader community focus on inclusion and belonging.
-The concept of "flourishing" involves more than just good outcomes; it incorporates strong relationships, purpose, and community connections.
-Erik outlines ten dimensions of belonging: being present, invited, welcomed, known, accepted, supported, heard, befriended, needed, and loved.
-Belonging extends beyond schools to faith communities, where inclusion must be reimagined to prevent the deep wounding caused by exclusion.
-Practical steps to foster belonging include noticing who is excluded, reflecting on intentional actions, and transforming both educational and faith institutions to be more inclusive.

Resources:

Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities: https://bcdd.soe.baylor.edu/
10 Dimensions of Belonging: https://promotingprogress.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/Fostering_Belonging_Handout.pdf

Thank you to our sponsor, IXL! Learn more: https://ixl.com/inclusive

MCIE: mcie.org

Uncover the Power of Belonging in Inclusive Education with Erik Carter

Learn more about The Wheaton Center for Faith and Disability at https://www.wheaton.edu/wheaton-center-for-faith-and-disability/

Connect with Wheaton:
https://www.wheaton.edu 
https://www.facebook.com/wheatoncollege.il 
https://www.twitter.com/wheatoncollege 
https://www.instagram.com/wheatoncollegeil

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