WO RK PLAC E DE SIGN
Standard addresses workplace needs of neurodivergent workers by Martin Read
A
“first-of-its-kind” standard written to ensure the design of the built environment meets the needs of the neurodiverse has been launched by the British Standards Institution (BSI). Understanding and reacting to neurodivergence in the workplace has become a theme over recent years, it being a prominent element in the broader equity, diversity and inclusivity agenda. The term ‘neurodiverse’ covers people with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, and a range of other sensory and / or informationprocessing differences. The newly launched BSI standard, PAS 6463, applies to buildings and external spaces for public and commercial use, as well as residential accommodation for independent or supported living. “A significant number of people find elements of the built environment uncomfortable, distressing or a barrier to their use”, the BSI explained. “For example, when interacting with the built environment, neurodivergent and neurodegenerative people can frequently experience ‘sensory overload’ – an overstimulation of the body’s senses leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed. This increased demand on an individual of the associated cognitive load can unsurprisingly lead to increased anxiety, fatigue and, in some cases, poor mental health.” ‘PAS 6463: Design for the mind – Neurodiversity and the built
10
environment’ aims to assist building designers to mitigate and eliminate these impacts. The guidance is broad, taking in approaches to lighting, décor, acoustics, layout, wayfinding, familiarity, clarity, thermal comfort as well as odour. It has also been made ‘open access’, meaning it will be freely available to everyone.
and those who experience neurodiverse conditions. Jean Hewitt, a senior member of the inclusive design team at consultant engineering firm Buro Happold, was a technical author of the publicly available specification (PAS) upon which the guidance is based. She belives there is “a profound need to design for neurological difference”. “Since my first involvement in this area in 2009, I have hoped for some progress for the many neurodivergent colleagues, friends, and family whose lives are unnecessarily blighted by places that don’t work for them. “Some people have a formal diagnosis, but many do not. There
IMAGE: ISTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
FRONT DESK / ANALYSIS
A broad scope BSI believes that PAS 6463:2022 is the only guidance of its type written with input from sector specialists
FAC I L I TAT E N OV EM B ER- D ECEM B ER 202 2
10-11 FD Neurodivergent_Nov-Dec 2022_FM World.indd 10
28/10/2022 17:21
