Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
We are celebrating the plethora of neurotypes, from March 18th to 24th!
It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
Neurodiversity seems to have become a topic of particular interest for many people who are breaking into web accessibility. Might also just be a phenomenon in my own bubble because I have a UX Design background. And surprise, surprise! Accessibility considerations for atypical neurotypes (choice of colors, control over animations, language used in content…) are all UX issues!
Plus, I think that it’s an easy entry point:
Neurodivergence is a very “palatable” disability: There’s a person that looks like me, but the way they experience everyday life is vastly different from my own lived experience? UX Designers are all about the experience, so that premise right there is one fascinating rabbit hole to go down.
Neurodivergent individuals often go undiagnosed or even if they have a diagnosis, how would you know? I have yet to see a sign-up flow that asks me to input my neurotype. This is simply information that no company collects about its user base. And that’s a good thing! Let’s keep it that way!
And not to forget: Many neuro-spicy individuals are not aware of it themselves. A medical diagnosis often entails long waiting lists, costs, and of course the stigma of being labeled as different from the majority of society. Stereotyped Media representations also don’t help with that!
If you would like to participate and sprinkle a bit of awareness around your social media presence, check out the Neurodiversity Week social media pack here. But don’t let it be just virtue signaling!
Sign up for their events and forward the Benefits of Neurodiversity in the Workplace link to your entire HR department.