Inclusivity means: - flexible schedules - individualized reminders - adjustable processes - clear and concise written instructions and task lists - honoring communication preferences - modeling advocacy and reinforcing advocacy - assistive technology - training for supervisors on how to best support neurodivergent employees - environmental changes to limit sensory triggers (e.g. adjustable lighting, limiting visual clutter, etc.)
This is George. George has ADHD. It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and his company is going all in. They’ve got speakers lined up, sharing stories of neurodivergent success. They’re posting about famous entrepreneurs and actors who are dyslexic, showcasing how innovation and creativity thrive in neurodivergent minds. There’s even an internal newsletter highlighting one of the VPs who has ADHD, someone charismatic, full of energy, and known for their big-picture thinking. George sees the value in this. He really does. He knows that for years, neurodiversity wasn’t even mentioned in the workplace, let alone celebrated. Progress matters. But as he sits at his desk, staring at a to-do list that feels impossible, drowning in unread emails and forgotten deadlines, it all feels painfully disconnected from his reality. Because while his company is celebrating neurodiversity, the actual environment still isn’t built for people like him. His workload is overwhelming, but when he asked for a clearer structure, he was told to just prioritise better. Meetings drain his focus, but the expectation is to be in every single one, camera on, engaged at all times. The open-plan office is full of distractions, but noise-cancelling headphones are seen as antisocial. And now, during Neurodiversity Celebration Week, he’s expected to feel empowered, inspired, and motivated by the success stories of people who ‘made it work.’ Instead, he just feels exhausted. Because what George really needs isn’t a celebration. It’s change. ??Real conversations about what’s not working. ????Practical adjustments that support neurodivergent employees, not just praise them. ????A culture that values difference every week, not just when there’s a campaign. Raising awareness is important. But real inclusion isn’t about inspirational posters or success stories. It’s about looking around and asking, who is still struggling? And what are we actually doing about it? #ThisIsNDLife