Erik W. Carter

What does it really mean to belong? This presentation will spur deeper reflection about the ways in which churches might welcome and weave people with disabilities and their families more fully into the life of the community. In moving from barriers to belonging, we discover the power of life lived together and how those at the margins are indispensable to the flourishing of everyone.

Erik Carter is Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Special Education and a researcher within the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. His research and writing focus on supporting inclusion and valued roles in school, work, community, and congregational settings for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He helps lead the Collaborative on Faith and Disability and the Putting Faith to Work project, as well as collaborates on the annual Summer Institute on Theology and Disability. He has co-authored more than 200 articles/chapters and six books, one of which is Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations. He lives outside of Nashville Tennessee with his wife, Sharon, and three children.

Prior to receiving his doctorate, Dr. Carter worked as a high school teacher and transition specialist. He has published widely in the areas of educational and transition services for children and youth with disabilities, including nearly 200 articles and chapters as well as 6 books. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Early Career Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children, the Early Career Award from the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Patricia L. Sitlington Research in Transition Award from the Division on Career Development and Transition, the Research Award from the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities, and the Young Professional Award from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. He is an active member of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and invests in collaborative partnerships across the university, state, and country.

Access the handout used during this presentation here. 

Presentations at Calvin University

Incomplete without You: The Church and People with Disabilities
Part of the: January Series
Thursday, January 17, 2019 12:30:00 PM
Covenant Fine Arts Center Auditorium

Publication(s) for this event