Neurodivergent design

WORKPLACE DESIGN

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 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.

A broad scope

BSI believes that PAS 6463:2022 is the only guidance of its type written with input from sector specialists 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

“Everyone deserves to experience the built environment in a way that supports their general wellbeing and generates better health outcomes

SCOTT STEEDMAN, DIRECTOR-GENERAL, STANDARDS AT BSI are neurotypical people who are mildly but regularly affected on a day-to-day basis, perhaps triggering unsteadiness, migraines or experiencing extra daily stress through elements that are not intuitive or comfortable for them.

“This (the BSI PAS) is an opportunity to ask everyone involved in the built environment to carefully consider this normal neurological diversity of humans rather than just meeting basic regulatory demands. Places should be comfortable for everyone to visit and use without encountering emotional distress or difficulty.”

Addressing stigmas

The guidance has been written to help organisations meet legal and social obligations introduced over the past decade or so, including those under the Equality Act and the Autism Act. It is also written to help organisations meet dementiafriendly charters as well as Article 9 in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Keith Tiltman, who is a director at Business Moves Group, says: “Businesses have got better at creating spaces that are inclusive for people with physical disabilities, such as ensuring there is stepfree access. But very few consider neurodiversity in their office design. There isn’t currently a lot of integration of mental health and wellbeing into the design of office space, but it’s on the rise. However, while neurodiversity in office design is important, spaces shouldn’t be labelled for particular people. Invisible disabilities already carry a stigma with them and the last thing you want to do is having segregated spaces in the office.”

“We need to create spaces that will be used by all employees but also support those with particular needs. That’s how we’ll ensure our workplaces remain inclusive.”

PAS 6463:2022 Design for the mind – Neurodiversity and the built environment – Guide | How to create a sensory inclusive environment

NEURODIVERSITY

A LARGE AUDIENCE IN MIND DOWNLOAD THE STANDARD

1 in 7

Number of people in the UK estimated to be neurodivergent in some form.

1 in 10

Number of UK organisations reporting in 2018 that the needs of the neurodiverse was included in their people management practices

30%

Percentage of the population ‘negatively impacted by elements that could easily be adjusted or eliminated during design, procurement and management without any cost implications’