Making Events Neuro-Inclusive

Most event organisers aren’t trying to exclude people. But when it comes to neurodivergent attendees, that’s exactly what’s happening – unless you're planning with inclusion in mind from the very beginning.

In this episode, Clare chats with Andy Williamson, founder of Welcome Brain, about what a neuro-inclusive event actually looks like (and what it doesn’t). They talk about why making your event accessible for different types of brains isn’t just ethical – it’s practical. It increases your potential audience, boosts attendee satisfaction, and doesn’t have to blow the budget.

Expect honest chat about small changes that make a big difference, why slapping a coloured lanyard on someone isn’t the solution, and how asking for advice (instead of feedback) can go a long way.

What we cover:

– Why “we’ve never had any neurodivergent attendees” is a self-fulfilling prophecy

– The 3-tier checklist that helps you plan better events (even if your budget is zero)

– What not to do when trying to be inclusive (hint: don’t out people with a lanyard)

– How filming a 15-minute “how to get here” video makes a surprising difference

– The real reason your event space might feel like a battery farm

– Why including people is, funnily enough, the essence of inclusion

– How small acts of empathy boost connection and attendee loyalty

Chapters:

00:00 – What we mean by neuro-inclusion

02:19 – Andy’s background & why Welcome Brain exists

04:04 – Personalising events for how adults actually work

05:17 – 85% of neurodivergent people are skipping your event – here’s why

08:30 – It’s not just ‘them’ – most of us benefit from more human events

09:27 – Good intentions that go wrong

11:34 – Personalisation, empathy, and how the checklist works

13:09 – Ask your attendees: how can we make this better?

14:09 – Why lived experience matters in the planning team

15:25 – The disability comparison: visible vs invisible needs

16:43 – No-budget options: start with the Silver tier

18:15 – Tackling scepticism and “we’ve never had anyone ask…”

20:08 – Rethinking networking and connection

21:56 – Breaking away from warehouse layouts and long-term venue contracts

23:16 – Why the events industry is actually well placed to lead on this

25:33 – Final thoughts: the small things really do matter

Find out more:

🧩 The free neuroinclusion checklist: welcomebrain.com

📧 Contact Andy: [email protected]

mentioned eventwell https://eventwell.org/

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

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