We are living in an era of greater neurodiversity and awareness of ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and other neurological conditions. One out of every eight persons is deemed neurodiverse, but less than half know it.
Neurodivergence are typically high-energy, out-of-the-box thinkers who succeed in crises and address problems boldly, but navigating the modern workplace can be challenging. Not only is constructing inclusive spaces the ethical thing to do but there is also a compelling commercial argument to support it.
To ensure everyone's success, today's space must reflect the various mix of organisations.
Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent at Workspace
Following are some of the common challenges related to neurodiversity which are faced by employees as well as the management:
Distractions
Productivity is being lost as a result of distractions. However, the true problem in offices nowadays is often not too loudness, but rather too quietness. There is no longer any background noise, or "hum," to disguise typical workplace sounds; instead, there is more texting, less phone communication, and quieter typing.
The actual issue arises when you are in a setting where you can clearly hear what individuals are saying across the room. Compared to background noise in general, that is much more distracting.
We must provide environments with possibilities and give individuals the freedom to select the one that best suits their needs in order to reduce distractions. This should involve setting aside time for attention and focus as well as creating tech-free zones where we may get away from the continual barrage of notifications from technology.
Sensory Stimulation
It might be difficult for those with developmental difficulties to process sensory stimuli. It's critical to have a place where you can regulate your level of sensory input. Similar to how individuals with distinct physical issues require customised solutions, neurodivergence too requires unique solutions.
Particular neuro profiles may not respond well to particular solutions. Some find it to be a lack of stimulation, while others find it to be easily overwhelming.
Navigation
In order to feel "safe" and "in control," many people with neurodivergent diseases require and benefit from repetition, predictability, and defined boundaries. Environments must make sense, therefore efficient wayfinding is essential. However, excessively repeated areas are uninspired. While maintaining ease of navigation, having a space that is more than meets the eye can pique people's interest and encourage them to walk around it.
Interior staircases and mezzanines are examples of places with distinct views and lines of sight that aid in helping us get our bearings in a room. Our brains' natural navigating systems can be aided by designing settings with intuitive wayfinding features. A diversified landscape can help create memorable settings that also aid with orientation. Signage, art, lighting levels, and the deliberate use of colour can all serve as memorable markers.
How to Design More Inclusive Workspaces for Maintaining Neurodiversity at Work?
Depending on the kind of job they are doing, employees are more likely to be satisfied and productive when they have a variety of workplace options at their disposal, according to recent studies [ix]. Space has the power to break down barriers, enhance culture and attitudes, eliminate stigmas, and provide individuals more options so they may succeed.
To solve design problems, designers have a shared language and toolkit. The rules for designing effective environments are outlined in the following design principles:
Emphasis: Whether it's an architectural feature or a graphic, creating focal points inside a place can help with wayfinding and space mapping, making it easier to move about.
Rhythm: Creating a room with common features from floor to ceiling or from one's perspective can help with orienting and give an atmosphere a comforting sense of order.
Proportion: Proportion guarantees that each element in a design is the appropriate size and scale. A room may feel unbalanced or out of sync with human scale if the proportions are incorrect. A room's proportions and ceiling heights are crucial in determining how the area feels.
Balance: Balance establishes visual stability by bringing competing forces in a composition into harmony and producing visual equilibrium. The majority of well-crafted compositions employ symmetry or asymmetry to attain equilibrium.
Light: According to University of Toronto research, bright light can amplify both happy and negative emotions in us. Dimming the lighting can assist us in making more sensible choices. The circadian system is more likely to function in accordance with the user's position on the globe when internal lighting conditions are altered during the day to replicate changes in light colour and intensity experienced outdoors. This lowers experienced stress levels.
Colour: A potent instrument for communication, colour may affect performance and mood. However, being around colour can also affect our bodies physically. There is evidence linking specific colours to elevated blood pressure, accelerated metabolism, and eyestrain. Though colour might have symbolic importance in different cultures, colour's effects on humans are generally the same.
Steps to Make Workplace More Inclusive
An evaluation of the workplace can give companies, along with their HR and CRE departments, useful information about design and planning components that support the creation of a more inclusive workplace.
Most of the time, adjustments are inexpensive and simple to make. Organisations should consider developing initiatives to inform, enlighten, and acquaint neurotypicals about the benefits of interacting and collaborating with neurodivergent individuals. It's also quite helpful to learn how to ignore or adapt to specific innate behaviours.In addition to being a smart business and a way to seize new opportunities, designing with neurodiversity and inclusivity is also a moral and societal requirement. That is why you should consider appointing an Office Interior Designer to design your office space.
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