Belonging
Belonging is at the heart of flourishing. It is more than being present or included—it is being known, needed, connected, and loved within a community.
At the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, we view belonging as a universal human need. It is what every person seeks in their schools, workplaces, churches, and communities. Yet for many individuals with disabilities, belonging remains out of reach—limited by barriers in invitation, access, relationships, and expectations.
Explore our research-informed resources, practical tools, and stories that help communities move beyond inclusion toward true belonging. Drawing on rigorous research and the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities and their families, our work highlights what it takes to build communities where everyone is included and indispensable.
What Leads to Belonging?
We define belonging through key dimensions that shape meaningful community life: being present, invited, welcomed, known, accepted, supported, heard, befriended, needed, and loved. When these elements are in place, communities are transformed from places where people simply share space, to places where lives are deeply connected.
From practical strategies to real-world examples, this hub is designed to equip communities to widen the welcome and cultivate spaces where everyone can flourish—together.
Current Projects
- Belonging Under the Bridge
- Bridges to Belonging: Accessible Ministry with Youth and Young Adults
- The Whole Body Project: Flourishing Together in Faith and Life
Talks & Presentations
- Belonging Together, Flourishing Together | TEDx Baylor University
- Beyond Inclusion: Faith, Disability and the Power of Belonging