Erik W. Carter

research studies

• Stewart-Ginsburg, J. H., Carter, E. W., Ault, M. J., Tanner, A., & Becker, C. (2024). A preliminary national survey of accessible features of churches in the United States. Review of Religious Research, 66(4), 631-648. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034673X241268649  

• Carter, E. W., Lanchak, E. R., & Morgan, G. B. (2024). Vocational calling, meaningful work, and job satisfaction among disability services providers. Inclusion, 12(3), 186-200. https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-12.3.186

• Carter, E. W., Tuttle, M., Spann, E., Ling, C., & Jones, T. B. (2024). Toward accessible worship: The experiences and insights of Christians with disabilities. Journal of Disability and Religion, 28(2), 189-219. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312521.2023.2197435

• Carter, E. W., Koehler, A. L., Spann, E. E., & Weber, M. A. (2023). “And then COVID happened…”: The impact on ministry and disability in local churches. Review of Religious Research, 65(2), 263-288.. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034673X231202052

• Carter, E. W., Tuttle, M., Spann, E., Ling, C., & Jones, T. (2023). Addressing accessibility within the Church: Perspectives of people with disabilities. Journal of Religion and Health, 62(4), 2474-2495. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01508-6

• Carter, E. W. (2021). Equipped for inclusion: Western Theological Seminary’s Graduate Certificate in Disability and Ministry. Journal of Religion and Disability, 25(3), 261-278. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312521.2021.1895022

• Boehm, T. L., & Carter, E. W. (2019). Facets of faith: Spirituality, religiosity, and parents of individuals with intellectual disability. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 57, 512-526. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-57.6.512

• Boehm, T. L., & Carter, E. W. (2019). Family quality of life and its correlates among parents of children and adults with intellectual disability. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 124, 99-115. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-124.2.99

• Carter, E. W., & Boehm, T. L. (2019). Religious and spiritual expressions of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 44, 37-52. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796919828082

• Carter, E. W., Bumble, J. L., Griffin, B., & Curcio, M. P. (2017). Community conversations on faith and disability: Identifying new practices, postures, and partners for congregations. Pastoral Psychology, 66, 575-594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-017-0770-4

• Biggs, E. E., & Carter, E. W. (2016). Quality of life for transition-age youth with autism or intellectual disability. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 190-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2563-x

• Carter, E. W., Biggs, E. E., & Boehm, T. L. (2016). Being present versus having a presence: Dimensions of belonging for young people with disabilities and their families. Christian Education Journal, 13, 127-146. https://doi.org/10.1177/073989131601300109  

• Carter, E. W., Boehm, T. L., Annandale, N. H., & Taylor, C. (2016). Supporting congregational inclusion for children and youth with disabilities and their families. Exceptional Children, 82, 372-389. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402915598773

• Boehm, T. L., Carter, E. W., & Taylor, J. L. (2015). Factors associated with family quality of life during the transition to adulthood for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 120, 395-411. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-120.5.395  

• Carter, E. W., Kleinert, H. L., LoBianco, T. F., Sheppard-Jones, K. A., Butler, L. N., & Tyree, M. S. (2015). Congregational participation of a national sample of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 53, 381-393. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-53.6.381  

• Annandale, N. H., & Carter, E. W. (2014). Disability and theological education: A North American study. Theological Education, 48, 83-102.  

• Liu, E. X., Carter, E. W., Boehm, T. L., Annandale, N., & Taylor, C. (2014). In their own words: The place of faith in the lives of young people with intellectual disability and autism. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 52, 388-404. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-52.5.388

• Ault, M. J., Collins, B. C., & Carter, E. W. (2013). Congregational participation and supports for children and adults with disabilities: Parent perceptions. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 51, 48-61. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-51.01.048

• Ault, M. J., Collins, B. C., & Carter, E. W. (2013). Factors associated with participation in faith communities for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Journal of Religion, Disability, and Health, 17, 184-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228967.2013.781777

reviews and other publications

• Carter, E. W. (in press). Spirituality, disability, and quality of life. Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities.

• Carter, E. W. (2023). Research on disability and congregational inclusion: What we know and where we might go. Journal of Religion and Disability, 27(2), 179-209. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312521.2022.2035297

• Carter, E. W. (2022). The changing landscape of disability and ministry in the Church. Currents in Theology and Mission, 49(3), 4-9. https://currentsjournal.org/index.php/currents/issue/view/69

• Carter, E. W. (2021). Incomplete without you: Research on disability, inclusion, and the church. Cultural Encounters, 16(2), 21-34.

• Carter, E. W. (2021). Spirituality and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. In L. M. Glidden, L. Abbeduto, L. L., McIntyre, & M. J. Tassé (Eds.), APA handbook on intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 419-442). American Psychological Association.

• Carter, E. W. (2020). The absence of asterisks: The church and children with disabilities. Journal of Catholic Education, 23(2), 168-188.

• Carter, E. W. (2019). Spirituality and the family unit. In Turns, B., Ramisch, J., & Whiting, J. (Eds.), Systematically treating autism: A guide for empowering families (pp. 179-187). Oxford, UK: Routledge

• Carter, E. W. (2016). A place of belonging: Research at the intersection of faith and disability. Review & Expositor, 113, 167-180. doi: 10.1177/0034637316637861

• Gaventa, B., & Carter, E. W. (2016). Flourishing and spirituality: Healing and wholeness without perfection. Impact, 29(1), 14-15.

• Carter, E. W. (2013). Supporting inclusion and flourishing in the religious and spiritual lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inclusion, 1, 64-75. https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-1.1.064

• Carter, E. W. (2011). After the benediction: Walking alongside people with significant disabilities and their families in faith and life. Journal of Religion, Disability, and Health, 15, 395-413. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228967.2011.619340

• Gaventa, W., Allen, W., Kleinert, H., & Carter, E. W. (2014). Putting faith to work: The call and opportunity for faith communities to transform the lives of people with disabilities and their communities. Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

• Carter, E. W., Taylor, C. E., Ault, M., Collins, B., Kleinert, H., & Tyree, M. (2012). Recent research on spiritual supports: What we know and where we might go. TASH Connections, 38(1), 31-34.

• Gaventa, W., & Carter, E. W. (2012). Spirituality: From rights to relationships. TASH Connections, 38(1), 5-6. 

books, chapters & practice guides

• Carter, E. W. (2022). A place of belonging: Including individuals with significant disabilities in faith communities. Inclusive Practices, 1(1), 6-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2732474520977482

• Carter, E. W., Dembroski, E. L., & Boehm, T. L. (2021). Communities of belonging: Serving children with disabilities in Christian schools. In L. E. Swaner (Ed.), Leading insights: Special education and inclusion (pp. 21-37). Association of Christian Schools International.

• Carter, E. W. (2020). Believing and belonging: Embracing children with disabilities. In M. L. Larson & R. J. Keeley (Eds.), Children’s spirituality: New directions for education, ministry, and discipleship (pp.69-82). Zondervan.

• Carter, E. W. (2019). Spirituality and the family unit. In Turns, B., Ramisch, J., & Whiting, J. (Eds.), Systematically treating autism: A guide for empowering families (pp. 179-187). Routledge.

• Carter, E. W. (2017). From barriers to belonging: Promising pathways toward inclusive ministry. In A. J. Johnson, R. Nelson, & E. M. Lund (Eds.), Religion, disability, and gender violence. Springer.

• Carter, E. W. (2010). Faith development and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In R. Keeley (Ed.), Shaped by God: Twelve essentials for nurturing faith in children, youth, and adults. Faith Alive.

• Carter, E. W., Endress, T., Gustafson, J., Shouse, J., Taylor, C., Utley, A., Amado, A., Nord, D., Timmons, J., Kleinert, H., Tyree, M., Canevaro, A., Seay, P., Gaventa, W., & Allen, W. (2016). Putting faith to work: A guide for congregations and communities on connecting job seekers with disabilities to meaningful work. Vanderbilt University, Collaborative on Faith and Disability.

• Carter, E. W. (2015). Spiritual supports for students with disabilities. In Scarlett, W. G. (Ed.), Classroom management: An A-Z guide (pp. 778-780). Sage. 

• Taylor, C. E., Carter, E. W., Annandale, N. H., Boehm, T. L., & Logeman, A. K. (2014). Welcoming people with developmental disabilities and their families: A practical guide for congregations. Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

• Carter, E. W. (2007). Including people with disabilities in faith communities: A guide for service providers, families, and congregations. Paul H. Brookes.