DESIGN & INTERIORS
• The small text on the meeting room doors was small, blurry, and illegible.
The whole experience opened the team’s eyes to how unmanageable their space must be to the number of sufferers in their team. Indeed, it’s not only neurodiverse people who are impacted by such things. Flickering lights and loud noises can be an irritant to any employee, so designing an inclusive space will benefit everyone.
How to make an office space more accessible for neurodiverse individuals The way an office is designed needs to go above and beyond the general expectations of catering for physical disabilities. Currently, there isn’t a lot of integration of mental health and wellbeing into the design of office space, but it is on the rise.
If employers want to encourage their employees back to the office following the pandemic, there needs to be even more consideration for neurodiverse individuals.
Spaces need to be functional and diverse, keeping bright but calm tones throughout the space. Striking the correct balance between having enough light to keep the space lit, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming for neurodiverse individuals can be tough. The key is to have lighting that is both diversified and stimulating; using different styles of lighting in the same space can help to separate the room, whilst keeping the open-plan style. Avoiding low-quality LED’s is essential. New technological advancements in LED lighting can help keep neurodiverse employees comfortable alongside lower operating costs – it’s a win-win.
Other solutions include creating quiet zones for an employee that has a sensitivity to loud noises. Adding sound proofing booths has the potential to greatly increase accessibility. They can also be useful for when an individual might have a short meeting either with one other person, or through an online video call, where they just need to be in a private space for a few minutes.
Additionally, furniture throughout the office should be streamlined, light and flexible. Having adjustable sound boards that can raise up and down between desk spaces helps to minimise acoustic travelling, as well as reduce distractions. Desk’s that can be adjusted and moved easily helps to create a diverse space where anything can be possible. This might be to have a quick standing meeting with another team member in the shared open space, or to wheel in additional table space for a larger group at a team meeting. This will reduce pressure to ‘squeeze’ everyone together will also help to ease anxieties.
The future of office space All of these adjustments will fall under workplace consultancy and part of general space planning, but we have to recognise the implications of these changes and ensuring that all understand why they are being made.
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It’s essential to bear in mind that while considering 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 have segregated spaces in the office.
Design spaces that will be used by all employees but also support those with particular needs. Communicate to your employees about how to use the spaces.
With so many companies re-evaluating their workplaces and making the office a destination, this is the perfect opportunity to incorporate support for invisible disabilities. It will improve the workplace experience for all employees and give you access to talent you might otherwise have missed out on.
https://businessmoves.com TOMORROW’S FM | 47
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