For His Glory: Alumna and LU staff member impacted by autism develops passion to lead inclusion initiatives on campus

In 2001, Dr. Ester Warren (’99, ’11, ’13, ’17) and her husband received news that their 2-year-old son, Bailey, was diagnosed with autism. In a world with little to no resources or support for parents of children with autism at the time, they began a barrier-filled journey with Bailey. What started as an intimidating diagnosis for Warren turned into a compassionate calling to aid people with disabilities, eventually leading to her role as senior executive director of Liberty University’s Office of Disability Accommodation Support, where she assists students and families navigating disabilities.

Bailey began to regress developmentally at age 2, eventually becoming nonverbal. When he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, a form of autism, Warren said she went through a grieving process, as many parents of children with disabilities go through. But when she reached a state of acceptance, she decided to trust that God would “use this experience to somehow point people to Him.”

“I firmly believe the Lord wants to use all of our experiences, both the good and the painful, for His glory and for the benefit of others,” she said.

Though she wasn’t sure how God would use her story yet, Warren began to research and find every resource she could to help her son adjust to living in a society that was not designed for his unique needs.

“It was kind of like a wilderness experience for my family and I as we navigated (Bailey’s diagnosis),” she said. “Trying to secure services for him was a battle at every turn. Nothing was easy, and it was extremely isolating.”

They discovered the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of Central Florida. Through its early intervention services, Bailey learned to talk and started to make other developmental improvements.

Despite specialists believing Bailey would need support for the rest of his life, and that he may never speak, he defied the odds, graduated high school, and enrolled at Liberty University in Fall 2018.

His college transition was difficult, marked by panic attacks and academic struggles. But Bailey didn’t give up, and through therapy, hard work, and the support of his family, he raised his GPA and graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Today, he is an intern with the Florida Atlantic University AccessTECH program, an internship designed for individuals with disabilities. He hopes to secure a full-time programming position afterward.

Bailey followed in his mother’s footsteps to Liberty. Warren received a bachelor’s degree in history in 1999 after transferring from Word of Life Bible Institute (where she was named the 2024 Alumnus of the Year). In 2008, Warren was hired at Liberty as a student accounts staff member. While in that job, she saw an opportunity to further her knowledge of special education and learn more ways to better support her son by earning three more degrees: M.Ed. in Special Education, Ed.S. in Teaching and Learning: Special Education, and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. She also holds a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Ball State University.

Warren has worked in different roles at Liberty over the years, always feeling a special connection to Liberty students with disabilities. Once Bailey enrolled at Liberty, she said watching him adjust to college life inspired her to lead further initiatives to help students like him.

As dean of general education in 2022, Warren was involved in the creation of Liberty’s Beyond Barriers Summer Program, a 10-day early orientation program to help students with disabilities transition to college. Warren said the program has been “phenomenal” and set many students up for successful college careers.

“In my role as dean, I was concerned about ensuring that new students had every opportunity to thrive,” she said. “That commitment to student success planted the seed for Beyond Barriers. But watching my son struggle to navigate his own challenges at Liberty gave me a deeper purpose and intense passion that went far beyond my job description.”

When the senior executive director position in ODAS became available in 2023, it was an opportunity she said she “couldn’t deny.”

In her role, Warren and her staff meet regularly with students and families to help guide them on their disability journeys and combat misconceptions and fears.

“The Lord has continually brought families into my life whom I’ve been able to encourage and equip with information,” she said. “I believe they’ve been blessed by the support of our office, our vision, and our commitment to supporting both students and their families. For many parents, the office provides a sense of reassurance and peace as they navigate their students’ transition to campus life.”

Warren said though society has come a long way, misconceptions and stereotypes about disabilities still permeate our culture, which is why she is dedicated to raising awareness of autism and other disabilities on Liberty’s campus. On Feb. 11, ODAS partnered with the LU Autism Advocates Club to host its first Disability Advocacy Expo in the Montview Student Union, Alumni Ballroom, which was open to Liberty and the broader Lynchburg community.

Along with Warren, speakers included Liberty President Dondi E. Costin, faculty, and disability student representatives. The expo helped students with disabilities on campus feel seen while encouraging other community members to understand the need for inclusion and acceptance. Warren discussed her MAP (Move, Affirm, Prepare) framework.

“Just imagine what it would be like to experience a campus where we truly believed and acted like we belonged to each other,” she said during her talk. “It can truly happen when we choose to move from observation (of disabilities) to connection, through affirming and honoring (each other’s gifts), and by preparing and anticipating (each other’s needs),” she said.

Warren and the ODAS staff have created multiple outlets for students with disabilities to receive support. ODAS holds a weekly peer social skills group where students can learn how to navigate social circumstances. They also created Spectrum Link, where ODAS staff members give one-on-one guidance, helping students with goal setting, building community, and any struggles they may have. Last year, Warren oversaw the creation of a sensory room for students at the ODAS office in DeMoss Hall. The room can accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivity, autism, ADHD, anxiety, and more.

ODAS staff receive specialized training in various disability topics as part of a biweekly professional development program. In November, the office partnered with Liberty’s Career Services for its first annual Disability Employment Conference that focused on career readiness for people with disabilities.

ODAS regularly hosts events for the disabled community, including its annual Deaf Alumni Homecoming, where deaf and hard of hearing alumni, students, and community members come together to celebrate shared experiences. Experts and specialists in the field of disability and accommodation support are also invited to speak with students and provide encouragement throughout the semester. Past speakers have included Katherine Wolf, founder of Hope Heals, and Rick Mitchell (’84, ’85), commissioner for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.

In April, ODAS will observe Autism Awareness Month by hosting a panel discussion on April 2 (Autism Awareness Day) at 6 p.m. in the Montview Student Union, Alumni Ballroom to deepen understanding of neurodiversity. An Autism Prayer Walk is also planned for April 30. Liberty students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in both events.

Warren said Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ is deeply integrated in ODAS’ culture and the resources they provide students. Over the last year, ODAS has developed a mission statement, inspired by Romans 12:4-5, to apply in service to every student, not just those living with a disability: “Our vision is for students of all abilities to flourish in a Christ-centered community, where everyone has access to the college experience and encounters a true sense of belonging.”

Warren said it has been rewarding to see the progress being made on behalf of the disability community at Liberty.

“Accessibility at Liberty has come a long way, and I’m deeply, deeply grateful for the incredible support from President Costin and university leadership,” she said. “They have been incredibly supportive.”

Warren said her goal is to continue increasing cultural awareness on campus so every student knows they are made in the image of God.

“All throughout Scripture, and embedded in our DNA as an institution, is the belief that every person bears the image of God. If that is our starting point, it should shape how we view one another and how we choose to treat, welcome, and accept one another,” Warren said. “When we don’t include those who might be a little bit different than us, or when we overlook accessibility needs, then our body cannot be whole. It’s important for our entire Liberty community to understand that without everyone having a seat at the table, without everyone being seen and everyone being heard, we can’t be the body of Christ in its complete form, the way God intended.”

ODAS is an office of LU One. To learn more about ODAS resources and offerings, visit Liberty.edu/disability-support/.