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    Making Meetings and Events Accessible for Persons Who are Neurodiverse

    Below are some strategies for ensuring that your in-person and virtual meetings are accessible for persons who are neurodiverse.

    1. Create an environment that avoids distractions, clutter, loud noises, and bright lights and colors
    2. Instruct all attendees to refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and/or lotions out of respect for those with sensory sensitivities
    3. Provide a nearby sensory-friendly space that is quiet and has dimmable or natural lighting
    4. Provide fidgets and welcome and encourage people to bring their own
    5. Provide earplugs for attendees with noise sensitivities
    6. Invite attendees to move around (e.g., stand, walk, leave and reenter) during and between sessions, as needed
    7. Provide CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation)
    8. Provide concise, detailed agendas and all materials at least a couple of weeks in advance and specify any preparation required
    9. Detail expectations, objectives/goals, and outcomes in advance and at the beginning of the meeting/event
    10. Provide details regarding meeting/event spaces, accessibility features, and meal options for those with dietary needs in advance and at the beginning of the meeting/event
    11. Offer back channels in hybrid meetings/events for attendees to actively contribute, share opinions, ask questions, take polls, and give feedback in real time
    12. Clarify the roles of each person in the meeting/event, including note-takers, captioners, or observers
    13. Clarify any rules around food and beverages
    14. Inform of any delays or scheduling, content, or structural changes as soon as possible
    15. Build in breaks every hour and invite attendees to take breaks as needed
    16. Allow attendees to provide written input and questions in advance, during, and after the meeting/event
    17. Give attendees time to process the information, provide feedback, and ask questions
    18. Make cameras optional in virtual or hybrid meetings/events
    19. Provide a post-meeting/event summary that sets forth key points, decisions, action items, next steps, and assigned tasks and responsibilities with specific timelines

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