News from the Center
The Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing brought together nearly 200 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across six area school districts, along with various local employers, at the fourth annual Oso Able Conference on Friday, Oct. 2, at Baylor University's Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.
The Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing was recognized as an honoree at the 2026 National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Big Game Ball on Sept. 2 in Atlanta. The annual fundraiser celebrates individuals and organizations advancing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing is highlighting its growing efforts to develop culturally and linguistically responsive research, resources and programming alongside Latino and Spanish-speaking communities impacted by disability.
The Baptist Standard featured the annual Worship As One Summit in a recent story that shares insights from the Aug. 20 gathering, hosted by WithMinistries in partnership with the Center's Collaborative on Faith and Disability. Jason Le Shana offers perspectives on friendship, participation, leadership, and the gifts people with disabilities bring to congregational life.
Baylor Magazine featured Center Executive Director Erik Carter in September issue. Before he and his family moved to Waco, Carter spent more than 20 years at major research institutions in metropolitan cities. Entering his fourth year at Baylor, Carter shares more about how Baylor and Waco exceeded every expectation as a vibrant community in which to live, work and put down lasting roots.
During a ceremonial sign unveiling, Baylor University today celebrated the naming of the Moody School of Education, made possible by a transformational $30 million gift from the Moody Foundation of Galveston, Texas, announced last January. The official unveiling of the Moody School of Education sign recognizes the impact of the largest single gift to Baylor’s School of Education, which supports scholarships, expands faculty research and provides resources to grow academic programs.
The Texas Chapter of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDDTX) recognized outstanding leaders and advocates in the field during its 50th annual convention held Aug. 18-21 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Among this year’s honorees was Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing Director Kristen Padilla, Ph.D., recipient of the 2026 Helen G. FitzSimmons Leadership Award.
The Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing joined Great Day SA on KENS-TV to invite San Antonio residents to participate in the Raising Texas Voices project.