Each year in March, RIBA joins individuals and organisations across the globe to support Neurodiversity Celebration Week - a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
Many organisations rightly recognise that neurodivergence is an asset that should be welcomed. In architecture particularly, skills such as thinking differently, problem-solving and connection-making - often found in neurodivergent individuals are highly valued.
It is vital, however, that practices and organisations recognise that neurodivergent individuals’ needs must be accounted for, and adaptations made to ensure that their working environment is comfortable and inclusive – ensuring that everyone is supported to reach their full potential.
Glossary of terms:
- Neurodiversity - neurodivergent and neurotypical collectively, like biodiversity. A person cannot be neurodiverse; a group of people can
- Neurodivergent - a person who is not neurotypical (conditions including, but not restricted to, autism, Aspergers, ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, PTSD, bipolar)
- Neurodivergence - the state of being neurodivergent
To mark this week, we’re sharing a selection of events and resources to highlight the importance of neurodiversity.
What are we doing at RIBA?
We recognise our responsibility to serve as a role model for the profession – ensuring that we are creating better and more inclusive ways of working.
In 2021, we set up the Enable Community – a group of staff with lived experience of disability and neurodiversity. This is a safe space for group members to highlight the challenges they face, sharing their insight and feedback to create meaningful change in the organisation and across architecture.
The Enable Community seeks to celebrate difference and organise initiatives around disabilities and neurodiversity – working with RIBA staff, members and practice networks.
"Enable is a group of inspiring, sometimes like-minded but always supportive people. Knowing that RIBA has a commitment to inclusivity and diversity makes me happy to share my experience." - Enable group member
With our inclusive events toolkit, learn more about and access specific resources for organising events for a variety of audiences in inclusive and accessible ways, including for those who are neurodivergent.
Resources and guidance
Neurodiversity and architecture: how practices can create supportive environments
Mark Siddall and Nick Simpson from LEAP share their experiences of living with different neurodivergences and how it reflects in their architecture practice.
I can’t visualise objects in my mind, yet I've still been able to work as an architect and photographer (RIBA Journal)
Chris Hopkinson, one of the 2% to 4% of the population with aphantasia, explains how his career has nevertheless taken a very visual direction – and argues that our education system shouldn't assume everyone's mind works in the same way.
Why do architects need to understand neurodiversity? (RIBA Journal)
While there is now a BSI standard relating to neurodiversity in the built environment, it remains largely overlooked by the profession. Three experts with lived and design experience look at how architects can better respond to the issue.
Designing buildings for neurodiversity and sensory impact (RIBA Journal)
Helen Castle, Enable Community member and RIBA's Director of Publishing and Learning Content, explores how the launch of the first-ever BSI standard on neurodiversity and the built environment will expand conventional notions of inclusive design.
Where to start in addressing neurodiversity in your designs
Access and inclusion consultants Stephanie Kyle and Steven Maslin explain the impacts of colours, acoustics and other factors on neurodiverse building users.
RIBA Plan of Work: Why architects should augment inclusive design throughout all work stages
Hear from Pareisse Wilson, Inclusive Design Overlay Project Lead who shares how the overlay should discourage the practice of seeing inclusive design as an add-on, often assumed to be delivered by an inclusive design specialist in silo.
Webinars on RIBA’s YouTube channel
RIBA Books on designing for neurodiversity
Inclusion Emergency: Diversity in Architecture
This book encourages understanding and reflection by capturing insight from leading voices in the profession. It addresses critical questions, providing steps towards meaningful change, including chapters on neurodiversity.
Are you an inclusive designer?
Despite improvements in the last 20 years, we still have a long way to go before all of our buildings, places and spaces are easy and comfortable for all of us to use. This book puts forward a powerful case for a totally new attitude towards inclusivity and accessibility.
The Access Audit Handbook: An inclusive approach to auditing buildings
Well established as the best resource for conducting access audits, this book offers straightforward advice about undertaking access audits and explains how they make buildings, environments and services more inclusive.
Find out more about RIBA's equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work.
