When the term design is brought up, it’s highly likely that the first thing to come to mind for many is interior design. While the physical elements of design are important—lighting, color choices, furniture placement—there are also many dimensions of design that cannot be physically touched or perceived. It’s a feeling or a function that is present. It’s an intention for and in a space that is purposeful and deliberate. Throughout 2023, CAI Neurodiverse Solutions explored the idea of design, specifically as it pertains to incorporating neurodiversity into the workplace. Creating an environment that is cognizant of and adaptable to the needs, strengths, and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals is a vital part of what we seek to achieve as an enterprise/client partner in order to enrich organizational culture and enhance innovation.
Cultivating a culture of inclusivity, understanding, and mutual respect does not happen overnight. However, with some of the key resources CAI has assembled over the course of this year, a blueprint will start to take shape to help organizations unlock the full potential of every individual and open the door to what can be achieved together.
Integrating neurodiversity into organizational culture
Designing a more inclusive future for your business must start somewhere and for efforts to be truly successful, it is important to begin with organizational culture. Gaining leadership support at both the executive and senior levels is a vital step for integrating neurodiversity into the cultural fabric of an organization. Building this type of infrastructure can be done with simple, mindful changes to policies and procedures. These small changes can add up, promoting greater neurodiversity hiring practices and allowing neurodivergent individuals to thrive in their careers. Read the full article.
During National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October, CAI continued the design discussion about the importance of inclusive hiring practices and embracing diversity with the event Creating inclusive workplaces with neurodiversity at work. During the 30-minute session, 3 speakers shared their personal experiences on how to effectively integrate neurodiversity and make it a key consideration in an organization’s culture.
Establishing neurodiverse-friendly hiring practices
To build upon the design that began with the organizational culture conversation, an important next step in creating a supportive infrastructure is establishing and documenting hiring policies that are accepting and accommodating. Drafting inclusive job descriptions is a proactive step in the right direction, which can be supported by an accommodating interview process and follow-up resources, like employee/business resource groups (ERGs/BRGs). Gain insight into even more next steps for the neurodiverse-friendly hiring journey by reading the full article.
The on-demand webinar Attract and retain diverse talent: Neurodiversity hiring practices helps further expand these next steps through the experiences of 2 guest contributors. Both recognized how the valuable skillsets neurodivergent individuals possess could help to solve complex business challenges within their organizations. Learn from their experiences of implementing and supporting neurodiversity hiring practices.
How to build an inclusive physical workplace with universal design
An accommodating and supportive workspace can fuel productivity, efficiency, and set everyone up for success within the physical environment. The concept of universal design ensures the configuration of an environment can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent by all. The infographic How to build an inclusive physical workplace with universal design visually outlines principles to ensure neurodivergent individuals feel comfortable and productive.
Successfully pulling together all elements of inclusive design
When a design comes together, it can create important and impressive results. To help address some business problems within their information technology (IT) unit, Northern Trust—a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management, and banking to institutions and individuals—engaged with CAI Neurodiverse Solutions to put into practice their unwavering belief in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as an inclusive, global workforce. A CAI Neurodiverse Solutions team helped to streamline and standardize testing and automation practices to improve reporting and business intelligence.
Discover how the coverage that the CAI Neurodiverse Solutions team provided was able to save time and better inform decision-making for the trillion-dollar financial services provider by reading more about their story.
Individual fulfillment is as much a signal of inclusive design success as improved processes and effectiveness. Working with a top 4 consulting firm, business consultant for CAI Neurodiverse Solutions, Josh T., speaks to environments intentionally designed for inclusion versus less supportive workplaces as he details his career path within his success story. Learn about Josh T.’s journey with CAI Neurodiverse Solutions and how his skills and talents have blossomed within an organization that is dedicated to diversity and prioritizes the inclusion of neurodivergent associates. Read Josh T.’s full story.
