Neurodivergent people living in Canada continue to face barriers in all stages of employment – from recruitment and hiring, to career development and promotion. While a growing number of employers are eager to be more neuroinclusive, they might not know where to begin. This Disability Employment Awareness Month – in partnership with the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation – we’re sharing insights from our Neuroinclusive Employment Project on what practical steps employers can take to support inclusion and neuroinclusion. These actions, grounded in workplace studies and promising practices, can help build a more inclusive environment and support employees throughout their journey with your organization.
Why building a foundation is important
Inclusion in the workplace doesn’t begin or end with specific actions around hiring and promotion – it’s woven into every aspect of an organization. Without a solid foundation, efforts to be inclusive in specific areas like recruitment, onboarding, or career progression may not succeed. Neurodivergent employees often face workplace barriers due to unexamined norms, such as how the work environment is structured, how communication happens, or how tasks are organized. Many neurodivergent employees may not disclose their identities and instead mask their conditions, making it harder for them to thrive. However, by making changes at the organizational level, employers can break down these barriers before launching into other initiatives.
Steps you can take
Creating a neuroinclusive workplace through organizational change requires commitment from all levels – not just from leaders, but from managers, direct supervisors, and frontline employees. Moving from intention to action requires employers build their knowledge, skills, and dedicate resources to remove barriers and drive organizational change. You don’t have to do this work alone. There are organizations and services across Canada that specialize in neuroinclusion. They can provide you with the knowledge, tools, and resources to design and implement strategies tailored to the needs of your organization. In addition, there are other practical steps your organization can take to start building this foundation today.
Our research summary outlines key actions for building a strong foundation for neuroinclusion and the evidence behind why they matter. Check it out here to learn more.