Posted 21 Mar 2023
Neurodiversity in Business Launches Annual Conference
London, UK, 13 March 2023 – On 16 March, the charity Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) will host 400 delegates – including businesses, partner organisations and neurodivergent individuals – for a day of building understanding and embracing action toward neuroinclusive workplaces.
The conference will explore the benefits of neurodiversity for businesses and best practise to support neurodivergent individuals to find fulfilling employment and thrive at work.
There is growing recognition of the value neurodiversity can bring to the workplace, including better problem-solving capabilities, more creativity and, as a result, a boost to the bottom line.
Conference attendees will hear from experts in the field about the benefits of neuroinclusion. Attendees will also get a first look at the results of NiB’s first-of-its kind, market research (in collaboration with Birkbeck, University of London) into neuroinclusive practices in the workplace.
NiB Founder and CEO Dan Harris said, “Inclusive companies know that a diverse workforce brings competitive advantage. We’ve created a day for businesses to hear from neurodivergent thought leaders, participate in discussions, and come together with neurodivergent individuals to explore how we can work together to make more real progress.”
MPs Lisa Cameron, Matt Hancock and Sir Robert Buckland will share why they believe the time for neuroinclusive workplaces is now. The event will feature special video messages from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and the Lord Mayor of London, Nicholas Lyons, both of whom have committed to supporting NiB to help make London the ‘NeuroInclusive Capital of the World’. Sharon Hodgson, MP will also provide a message about the value of neuroinclusion.
The Master of Ceremonies, Char Bailey (Director of People at Birmingham Pride and neurodiversity activist), will manage a full roster of neurodiversity keynote speakers including:
- Professor Nancy Doyle, Founder of Genius Within and Co-Director Centre for Neurodiversity at Work (Birkbeck, University of London) and Professor Almuth McDowall, Professor of Organisational Psychology (Birkbeck, University of London)
- Atif Choudhury, CEO of Diversity and Ability, an award-winning social entrepreneur focused on disability inclusion and economic justice
- Sam Hiew, founder of ADHD Girls, which empowers girls and women with ADHD to thrive in society
- Jacqui Wallis, CEO of Genius Within, whose strategy and leadership experience helps businesses liberate the inner geniuses in their workforce
- Elizabeth Bonker, executive director of Communication 4 ALL, whose mission is to make communication possible for the estimated 31 million people worldwide who are non-speaking autistics
Professor Nancy Doyle speaking at the conference
The programme includes nine workshops run by neurodiversity specialist companies such as Genius Within and Diversity and Ability, and features companies focused on neurodiversity in business programmes such as AstraZeneca, Capgemini, and OpenReach.
Conference accessibility has been designed with neurodiversity in mind. A dedicated ‘ND Zone’ provides a calm space for those looking to mitigate sensory input. Delegates have been fully briefed on the conference’s accessibility measures, and have the option to choose coloured lanyards to show if they want to opting out of speaking. All presentations will also be accessible through utilising best practice on colour and font choice.
NiB supports workplace neuroinclusion, which extends diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes to the 15-20% of the population who are neurodivergent, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, amongst others.
For more information about the conference and to book tickets, please visit neurodiversityinbusiness.org or email conference@neurodiversityinbusiness.org.
