Meta:Neuro-inclusive event strategies

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About

Many have come together to focus on accessible events, however the needs of neurodivergent people are not always included in accessibility guides and considerations.

This resource focuses on designing with neurodivergent peoples' diverse needs in mind to create a more inclusive environment for everyone. The purpose of this resource is to provide recommendations for neuro-inclusive events and expand the awareness of event organizers to the needs of neurodivergent people.

Neurodiversity and neurodivergence

The neurodiversity paradigm presents a framework to destigmatize neurological differences and embrace the natural diversity of neurotypes, building with decades of disability justice work.

By focusing on neurodiversity as an element of accessibility discussions, we can strengthen care and access for all members of the community.

Strategies to consider

Host organizer trainings focused on accessibility

Create events or trainings focused on accessibility and accessible organizing
Provide event staff with training and resources to understanding terminology related to different types of disability, accessibility topics, and neurodivergent people's needs

Topics of interest

Some topics that can be covered in trainings might include:
- Stimming
- Sensory hypersensitivity^[1]
- Sensory overload
- Burnout, autistic burnout
- Gender differences and neurodivergence
- Cultural relativity

Before events

Ask attendees about accessibility needs in advance, such as during event registration.
Invite self-identified disabled and neurodivergent team members to participate in event planning and/or provide feedback about ways to support their needs, compensating event contributors fairly according to local standards.

Documentation

Publish details about the timing of activities and breaks so participants have time to plan
Consider reminding presenters about the importance of leading accessible conversations and best practices, including,
- Interruptions can lead to problems with information being received, transcribed, translated, etc.
- Slow down and speak clearly into the microphone
- Request that presenters make activities involving speaking or interacting with others entirely optional, and inform participants that they can choose based on their own comfort
Navigational support provided in the form of large text signs, maps, and multiple ways to identify rooms/locations
Publish specific guidelines for journalists, filmmakers, and researchers about obtaining consent for different kinds of information collection and sharing

Hybrid events

Test in advance to ensure that online participants and in-person participants can see and hear each other and the person speaking
Remind facilitators that words spoken without a microphone should be repeated by a person with a microphone
Ensure that the timing of discussions and breaks are conveyed to in-person and online participants

In-person events

Provide a variety of seating, standing, and wheelchair-accessible options. Include wide-length chairs. Consider comfort of seating options, providing pillows as an added measure.
Publish details about food served in advance so participants have time to plan
Avoid food with strong smells and for different dietary needs (avoid common allergens)
Consider the sensory environment and making space for regulation needs and stimming
- Set a smoke-free policy - be sensitive to cultural relativity
- Set a fragrance-free policy - be sensitive to cultural relativity
Have a separate quiet room/sensory retreat room or rooms where people can rest and include information about its location in event materials
Avoid bright lights - focus on natural lighting
No flash photography policy
Noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs available
Consider expanding transitions between sessions to give ample time for people to take breaks and not feel rushed
Offer a virtual participation option, if possible

Virtual meetings

Use the "Live Transcript" captioning features, when available
Do not require participants to be on camera
Remind participants to mute themselves when not speaking
Assign someone to be responsible to meeting accommodations and inform participants of who that person is
For best results, test in advance, including any screenshare media

Post-event

Create accessible avenues for collecting feedback relating to access and inclusivity
Constructively review feedback with the team and future event organizers

Considerations

Resources and labor

Additional links

Resources

Holding Inclusive Events: A Guide to Accessible Event Planning, Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Autistic Access Needs: Notes on Accessibility, Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
Creating neuro-inclulsive events, Make Events
Host Inclusive Meetings and Events, University of Minnesota, Office for Digital Accessibility
Program for Inclusion and Neurodiversity Education

References

↑ staff (April 29, 2024). "Understanding the Underpinnings of Sensory Hypersensitivity in SCN2A-Associated Autism". National Institute of Mental Health - Science News. Retrieved 13 February 2025.

Branicki, L. J.; Brammer, S.; Brosnan, M.; Lazaro, A. G.; Lattanzio, S.; Newnes, L. (2024). "Factors shaping the employment outcomes of neurodivergent and neurotypical people: Exploring the role of flexible and homeworking practices". Human Resource Management. doi:10.1002/hrm.22243.
Buckle, K.L. (2019). "In the Beginning, There Was a List". In Kapp, Steven K. Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement: Stories from the Frontline. pp. 109–122. ISBN 978-981-13-8437-0. doi:10.1007/978-981-13-8437-0_8.
Heasman, B.; Gillespie, A. (2019). "Neurodivergent intersubjectivity: distinctive features of how autistic people create shared understanding". Autism 23: 910–921. doi:10.1177/1362361318785172.
Koenig, K. P.; Feldman, J. M.; Siegel, D.; Cohen, S.; Bleiweiss, J. (2014). "Issues in implementing a comprehensive intervention for public school children with autism spectrum disorders". Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community 42 (4): 248–263. PMID 25321640. doi:10.1080/10852352.2014.943638.
Mahto, M.; Hogan, S. K.; Hatfield, S.; Sniderman, B. (2022). A rising tide lifts all boats, Creating a better work environment for all by embracing neurodiversity (PDF). Deloitte Insights.
Olund, E. (2024). "Neurodivergent Spatialities: A Geographical Reading of Recent Empirical Work in Neurodiversity Studies". Disability Studies Quarterly 43 (4). doi:10.18061/dsq.v43i4.8947.
Sinclair, J. (2022). "Cultural commentary: Being autistic together". Developments in Neuroethics and Bioethics 5: 99–128. doi:10.1016/bs.dnb.2022.08.002.

[1] staff (April 29, 2024). "Understanding the Underpinnings of Sensory Hypersensitivity in SCN2A-Associated Autism". National Institute of Mental Health - Science News. Retrieved 13 February 2025.

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