Tomorrow, Tuesday 16th June, I will be part of the Neurodiversity Pride Day symposium "Designing for Belonging" at De Nieuwe Bibliotheek Almere, Netherlands, organized by Neurodiversity Foundation.

From the announcement text:

"What does it take to move from spaces that accommodate neurodivergent people to spaces that are genuinely shaped by them?

DESIGNING FOR BELONGING
Reimagining Cultural Spaces Where All Minds Thrive

This conference starts from a simple but radical premise: belonging is not a feeling that happens to people. It is something we design.

For cultural spaces, museums, libraries, community centres, urban regeneration sites, and the people who work within them, this is both a design challenge and a justice question.

Designing for Belonging brings together urban regenerators, cultural professionals, social innovators, educators, and neurodivergent practitioners to explore what genuine neuroinclusion looks like when it moves beyond compliance and into culture. When it stops being an add-on and starts being the foundation."

Detailed schedule, lineup & pay-what-you-like ticket:
https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/designing-for-belonging-reimagining-cultural-spaces-where-all-minds-thrive-tickets-1988750293664

#neurodiversity #neuroinclusivity #design

Travelling today. Airport security at the disabled line told me I can “just use these next time”, gesturing to the regular automated gates.

When I followed the accessible entrance, I found it was routed to come out into the general security area, with the big crowd that goes with it.

It seems the only difference is the wider gate, to fit a wheelchair.

Back at the entrance, I said to security, look I use this line because it’s usually separate. I get anxious in big crowds, and I can’t really tolerate it right now.

Security said to me, gesturing towards the hall: “look we have all these people right now, so we can’t have a separate place to keep it separate, because it would slow things down”

I told them “that’s why it’s an accommodation. Because it’s *not* the usual”. Security acted very put out, but did eventually help me out.

I don’t always have the spoons to fight. Many people I know never do. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have needs.

#InvisibleDisabilities are disabilities. The #sunflowerLanyard I wear isn’t for fashion, it’s to make that visible. People don’t always have the spoons to stand up.

I don’t have to convince you I have a disability. There’s more - a lot more - to accessible spaces than physical movement concerns. Your staff should be looking actively for ways to help, not waiting for people to take up a fight they might not be able to.

I’m ok. Decompressing in the bathroom because they don’t have a quiet spot.

#neurodiversity #actuallyAutistic #neuroInclusivity #a11y #accessibleTravel #autismAccessibility #airportAccessibility #travel #airport @actuallyautistic

Join our free #CyberSecMonth webinar next week (19 October, 15:00 CEST).

Holly Foxcroft (Stott and May Consulting), will share her cyber psychological perspective on the impact of #neurodiversity on #CyberSecurity practice and risk management.

👉 https://events.geant.org/event/1551/

The webinar will include live interpretation in English, Spanish and Portuguese, thanks to our collaboration with RedCLARA. Full programme 👉 https://connect.geant.org/2023/09/13/cybersecurity-month-2023-become-a-cyber-hero-webinar-programme

🦸‍♂️ #BecomeACyberHero #Neuroinclusivity #SecurityAwareness