➜ What
A checklist for maintaining neuroinclusive physical spaces.
➜ Who
Most Common Use Case: Managers
- Managers can utilize this checklist to navigate conversations with employees about maintaining a sensory environment that promotes productivity and well-being.
- Additional coordination with HR and facilities may be required to ensure the work environment works for all members of their team (e.g., changing a fluorescent light bulb, enabling a thermostat to be adjustable, purchasing a standing desk, etc.).
➜ Why
Many neurodivergents experience sensory barriers that impact productivity and retention.
➜ How
This tool can be a guide for designing more inclusive spaces, evaluating existing spaces, or guiding conversations around sensory challenges and solutions.
Sensory Design Checklist
Use this checklist to design more inclusive spaces, evaluate existing spaces, or guiding conversations around sensory challenges and solutions.
Case Study
Collaboration and connectivity is an important value for Brady's new team. This was great news to him, as Brady is a very friendly and social person! In order to facilitate this connectivity, Brady was given a desk in an open work area within a 20ft radius of 6 of his teammates.
While this did allow for easy outreach for questions and support, this seat placement, and the overall noise and activity of having so many teammates close together, made it difficult for Brady to maintain focus and to efficiently settle in to a stretch of independent work time.
Luckily, the floor had a number of more sparsely populated areas, and Brady asked to move his seat to a different area with fewer distractions. Brady was still able to socialize with his team at lunch and at the beginning and end of the day while getting much more done during his independent work times.
Insights
Benefits
For Managers
- Optimize employee comfort, focus, and productivity
- Let employees self-assess their needs
For Employees
- Minimize distraction and discomfort in your workspace
- Consider environmental factors that may not have been previously examined
- Validate any struggles or needs you may have in the current environment
For Teams
- Documentation for best-practices and/or problem solving
- Ensure best practices when hosting customers
Helpful Articles
- Office Design for a Neurodiverse Workforce (hushoffice)