LSA-DN Spiritual Life Conference: One God + One Call

Barbara Newman is an author, teacher, and church/school consultant for the Christian Learning Center (CLC) Network headquartered in Michigan. Her books and classroom resources have supported and enhanced the work of those in disability ministry and inclusive Christian day school classes for many years.

Newman is perhaps best known for her 2006 book, Autism and Your Church, which offers practical ways to welcome and include individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder into the full life of the congregation and appreciate them as people created in the image of God. The book, which was revised in 2011, has become one of the most widely read and recommended resources in disability ministry and Christian teacher training.

Her most recent book, Nuts and Bolts of Inclusive Education, was published in 2013. Through her work, Barbara Newman has distinguished herself as a leader in building inclusive church and school communities.

Erik Carter holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from Vanderbilt University and a B.A.in Christian Education from Wheaton College. As an Associate Professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University, research and teaching focuses on strategies for supporting meaningful inclusion and promoting valued roles in school, work, and community settings for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Dr. Carter’s special areas of interest include: transition from high school to adult life, peer support strategies and peer relationships, and faith and disability.

Carter is the author of four books, one of which is Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, and Congregations (Brookes Publishing).