Welcome Note...

We are launching the spring semester with such great excitement. Last year was a season of a celebration as we reflected together on the Center’s first decade of impact. So many of you attended our gatherings, partnered on our projects, promoted our mission, prayed for our future, and joined us in this shared work. We are deeply grateful for the hundreds of students, staff, faculty, families, community leaders, and individuals with disabilities we have come to know and journey alongside. The ground is so fertile and the future so bright for Baylor. As we enter the second decade of this work, we will be introducing new directions, pursuing bold partnerships, extending our reach, and focusing on field-changing initiatives. It is long-haul work that requires mission-focused collaborators. We hope you will join us as we work together to change the landscape of schools, churches, workplaces, and communities across the country and around the world.  

Erik Carter & Kristen Padilla   

We are continuing our impactful Equipping Educators Workshop Series, which focuses on the transition to adulthood for students with disabilities. This spring, our focus will be on goal setting for students with high support needs and strategies for translating assessment data into measurable goals. Learn more about our education-related projects. 

How can churches more effectively foster spaces of belonging in their communities? In what ways might congregations address barriers to worship participation for all? Last year, we convened groups of ministry leaders, families, self-advocates, and community members across the country for a series of “community conversation” events. Our resulting guides on Accessible Worship, Belonging and Flourishing Together provide hundreds of ideas for cultivating more inclusive practices. Learn more about our other faith and disability projects. 

Access to rhythms of respite can be life-giving for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We recently completed a large-scale, mixed methods study of the impact of overnight respite care provided through Jill’s House, a faith-based respite provider based outside Washington, DC. You can read highlights of our findings or access the full evaluation report. Learn more about our other family-focused projects. 

Gaining a sense of independence is paramount for youth transitioning into adulthood. Making decisions, solving problems, and taking responsibility are key aspects of being an adult. At a recent workshop for our new Flourishing Futures project, we met with young adults with disabilities and their parents to explore ways we can all work together to foster independence in adulthood. Learn more about our other transition-focused projects. 

Our next BCDD Consortium Meeting will be held on February 25 from 3:30-4:30 pm in MMSCI GL15. Evette Alexander, our Senior Director of Research Grants Development, will discuss the Center’s efforts to accelerate interdisciplinary scholarship and training all across our campus. We will also explore ways of supporting new collaborations that advance Baylor’s new strategic plan, Baylor in Deeds.  

We offer a variety of services for children and families in the local area, including counseling, psychological assessments, ABA therapy, parent groups, and community workshops. Reduced fees are available for families with financial need. To learn more, call our clinic at (254) 710-7677. 

Please consider a generous gift to advance the work of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. As the only disability-focused research center at a Christian university, we are faithfully working to serve our community well and wisely. We need your support and partnership to promote the flourishing of people with disabilities, families, and communities.   

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