Inclusive design streets and places for neurodiversity

Traditional approaches to inclusive design often overlook or misunderstand the needs of our neurodiverse population, but how can we create spaces where everyone feels safe and included?

The term “neurodivergent” describes a group of people whose brains function, learn and process information differently to the majority, leading to differences in their lived experiences and behaviour. An estimated 15% of the UK population is neurodiverse, and this percentage is largely made up of those who have a recognised condition or disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Tourette’s Syndrome.

Experiencing one of these conditions may fit the definition of a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010, giving legal protection from discrimination and the right to equal access and opportunities to people with neurodiversity.

Whilst traditional approaches to inclusive mobility focus on designs which accommodate physical and sensory disabilities, neurodivergent disabilities can also make public places inaccessible and are often overlooked. Many of the best practice documents that influence our designs and policies pre-date our modern understanding of neurodiversity or make vague references to neurodiversity without detailed explanations of how we can address the needs of those who experience it in our design choices. Resources that are out there are less well known and are often missed during best practice reviews.

In recent years, the private sector has been paving the way with progressive policies and facilities that make their products and services more accessible to the neurodivergent market and general population.

Inclusive Design: The Practicalities of Designing for All

The first step is to proactively develop a good understanding of the diverse needs and preferences of all potential users through actively engaging them in the design process and making the engagement process itself, accessible.

As neurodiversity is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of conditions and experiences, there is often no single design choice which will meet the needs and preferences of all neurodiverse people, just as there is often no single design choice that meets the needs and preferences of all disabled people, including those who experience sensory, physical or neurodiverse disabilities. There may even be circumstances where different users have conflicting and competing needs and arguably one of the greatest challenges in accessible design is balancing those needs proportionately.

Universal Design Principles provide a framework to assist with the design of schemes which are user friendly to a broad range of people, including neurodiverse individuals.