Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue - 22

* SMART CHAT
* *
Q&A:
about Building a Neuroinclusive Future
Name: Megan Henshall
Global Events, Strategic Solutions Lead,
Google; 2022 Smart Women in Meetings
Visionary Award Winner
How do you define neurodiversity?
One in 44 people has some form of neurodiversity.
There is a growing movement with people who
operate over a whole range of autism, ADHD,
dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, even traumatic
brain injury functions who see accommodating all
processing abilities as a diversity and inclusion issue
rather than a disability and accessibility issue.
They want the issue treated the same way racial
or gender equity is managed. That makes sense
because we can't control the way our brains work
any more than we can control the color of our skin.
We should be holding space for all cognitive types.
What resources are available for planners to
accommodate neurodiversity?
I am on this journey with my son who is four and
was diagnosed with autism last year. I have been
learning how to make space and advocate for him.
When I went to research resources for planners,
I didn't find much. I am committed to supporting
neurodivergent people at my company
to tell their own story rather than trying to tell the
story as a neurotypical person. It has been such
a learning journey for me.
Some work has been done at gaming conferences
and a few sports arena, but there is a lot
of room to improve.
What are small things meeting professionals
can do to make everyone feel more comfortable?
We
have a potent opportunity as event professionals.
We bring people together and if we can
create a playbook for other disciplines to use,
that can bring about huge change.
It doesn't have to be expensive or complicated.
It can be as simple as stating in your
22
JULY 2022 * SMARTMEETINGS . COM
" So much of what neurodivergent people need is what everyone
needs right now. Design for the extremes benefits the means. "
registration that this is an event that is safe and
considerate of all neuro types. Ask attendees to
reach out and let you know how you can support
them. Asking is free.
It is about scaffolding. Make it OK for people
to walk away, to unplug. Give longer breaks
so people can renew and re-charge. So much
of what neurodivergent people need is what
everyone needs right now. Design for the extremes
benefits the means.
Once you understand how many different ways
we are showing up cognitively, emotionally and
from a sensory perspective, you allow yourself to
more fully be yourself because you are more tolerant
and patient with other people.
This benefits the event organizer, too, because
every person brings fresh points of view to a
conference and being kind benefits everyone. This
is a human issue, not a logistics issue. It is about
making space for all your attendees.
What is your vision for what a truly inclusive
event looks like and how long will it take to
get there?
Examples we have brainstormed include: No one
will approach you unless you walk up to a booth.
Everyone would be given clear instructions so
you don't have to stand awkwardly and wonder
who to ask. If you don't see value in a conversation,
it is OK to use a safe word and exit.
That would also be a huge relief for those
of us who are just introverted. It would make
educational and entertainment spaces joyful
instead of exhausting.
It takes a concerted effort by a lot of people
to make that happen. People are afraid to get
it wrong, so it is easier to do nothing. But you
can't try wrong. Doing nothing is the worst
possible outcome.
When we invite people to engage in our experiences,
we are committing to them that we will feed
them, keep them safe, create a sense of belonging
and community. We are in breach of our contract if
we don't follow through with that commitment.
I am manifesting that this be a reality by the time
my son is old enough to go to corporate events.
Smart Tips for Being
Neuroinclusive
Provide sound-filtering headphones
Build in a quiet space
Sprinkle fidget toys on the table
Train staff so that if someone gets
triggered, they can get support.
No strobe lighting or sudden sounds
For initial guidelines from a
Google focus group scan here:
@ See more Smart Chat conversations at SmartMeetings.com.
https://www.smartmeetings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Neuro-Inclusion-in-Events_Smart-Meetings-Crowdsource-1.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_id=smartmeetings http://www.SmartMeetings.com
Smart Meetings July 2022 Digital Issue

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