Kara Whittaker

Kara Whittaker, LMSW,  is a PhD student at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. She also serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Engaging Disability, a nonprofit organization that equips churches to include people with disabilities. In this role, she oversees the organization’s grant strategy—researching new opportunities, crafting proposals that align with ministry priorities, and supporting the launch of new grant-funded initiatives. 

She has a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and a master’s degree in social work, both from the University of Chicago. Kara’s career has centered on supporting and advocating for children and adults with disabilities. A former special education teacher, she previously taught in Chicago, Boston, and Cambridge Public Schools. This professional passion for disability inclusion and advocacy became deeply personal through her son's diagnosis of non-speaking autism.  

Kara has presented at churches, in college classrooms, and at national conferences on topics such as disability and the church, presuming competence, and accessible design. Through her ministry work, she has published numerous accessible faith resources for children and youth with disabilities. Her research interests include faith and disability, congregational social work, integration of faith and social work practice, disability theology, and the development of inclusive faith communities.