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Show Notes
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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