It seems that a disproportionate number of neurodivergent people work in the construction industry. Why might that be? What barriers do they face? And how can they make work better? Neurodiversity in construction: some statistics According to a 2023 survey on neurodiversity in construction by the National Federation of Builders: Neurodiversity in construction: Why might…
If the government implements all the measures recommended in the Report, it will significantly improve the lives of ADHDers.
However, the report contains itself within a medical or individual model. It repeatedly refers to ‘treating ADHD’ and its recommendations are all about ‘interventions’ with individuals rather than changing systems to remove barriers.
Red in the Spectrum continues our excellent work with the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU), running courses on Bargaining and Organising for Neurodiversity at its lovely education centre at Quorn Grange Hotel in Leicestershire.
Red in the Spectrum‘s Janine Booth wrote this blog post for the Directory of Social Change, in preparation for speaking at its Charity Management Conference on 6 March. It aims to urge managers in charities to consider the issues around neurodiversity and charities, and to go beyond awareness and make changes. Neurodiversity and charities: How…
In a talk at a railway company’s neurodivergent staff forum in January 2025, Janine Booth of Red in the Spectrum sets out ten challenges to the railway industry on the issue of neurodiversity. You can read the text of a similar talk here. 10 challenges to the railway industry on neurodiversity
Janine Booth and Liz Yeates explore the issues. Neurodiversity and sex work: A new issue? Public discussion around issues such as gender, bodily autonomy and neurodiversity is increasing. But this does not mean that neurodivergent sex workers or clients are new. Sex work has historically included workers from various social demographics. And the sex industry…
This story illustrates the importance of the social model of disability in effectively addressing neurodiversity at work. A postal delivery worker was making repeated mistakes when sorting letters into the sections of the frame used to prepare for delivering them. It got to the stage where management was threatening to discipline, or even sack, him….
Red in the Spectrum’s Janine Booth spoke about Including Autistic People at Work: removing barriers and challenging discrimination at 1-2-1 Enfield’s Autism Inclusion conference in June. You can watch a video of the talk here. This is what Janine said:
In this video, Red in the Spectrum’s Janine Booth talks about Including Autistic People at Work: removing barriers and challenging discrimination. Janine was speaking at One-to-One Enfield‘s Autism Inclusion conference in July. The Autism Inclusion conference included:
The General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) has launched its training programme for 2023/24, and for the first time, it includes a trade union neurodiversity course. Red in the Spectrum’s Janine Booth has written and will deliver the course, which is running twice – in January and July 2025 – at GFTU’s spacious and well-equipped…
Red in the Spectrum’s Janine Booth was the keynote speaker at the 2024 Neurodiversity in Rail conference held at Birmingham University on 21 May. Janine is a leading authority on neurodiversity in rail, with a track record including: 25+ years as a London Underground station supervisor founder / trainer at Red in the Spectrum railway…
On Sunday 17 March, Red in the Spectrum hosted the final of our series of ten webinars on neurodiversity at work. The webinar was hosted by Janine Booth, and put the case for there being power in a union. Power in a union Discrimination – inequality – neuro-inclusive recruitment – legal rights – health and…
Neurodiversity and workplace safety The ninth of Red in the Spectrum’s series of webinars on Neurodiversity at Work was about neurodiversity and workplace safety. It took place on Sunday 10 March 2024. The webinar began by asserting two principles of workplace safety: A neuro-inclusive workplace is a safer workplace. A neurodiverse workforce can be a…
Neuro-inclusive recruitment The eighth of Red in the Spectrum’s series of webinars on Neurodiversity at Work discussed neuro-inclusive recruitment. How do job specifications and adverts discriminate against neurodivergent jobseekers? What barriers do application forms present? How can assessments be neuro-inclusive? Why discuss neuro-inclusive recruitment? “Selection and progression depends on being neurotypical. Neurodivergent applicants and employees…
Working carers’ rights: flexible working and more On Sunday 25 February, Red in the Spectrum hosted a webinar on working carers’ rights, looking at flexible working and other rights for workers who have caring responsibility for a neurodivergent dependent. This was the seventh in our series of ten webinars on neurodiversity at work. This post…
Intersectionality: Neurodivergence and other identities On Sunday 18 February, the sixth of Red in the Spectrum’s series of ten Sunday evening Neurodiversity at Work webinars discussed intersectionality: neurodivergence and other identities. We looked at how the intersection of neurodivergence with aspects such as race, sex, sexuality and gender identity impacts on experiences, particularly at work….
Discipline, attendance, performance management On Sunday 11 February, the fifth of Red in the Spectrum’s series of ten Sunday evening Neurodiversity at Work webinars discussed discipline, attendance and performance management. This post contains all the material about discipline, attendance and performance management that we presented in the webinar, and some of the contributions from participants….
What are your legal rights at work? On Sunday 4 February, Red in the Spectrum held the fourth in of our series of ten Sunday evening Neurodiversity at Work webinars, on the subject of neurodivergent people’s legal rights at work. Our seminar presenter, Janine Booth, is not a professional lawyer or legal adviser, but has…
Yesterday (Sunday 28 January), Red in the Spectrum held the third in our series of ten Sunday evening Neurodiversity at Work webinars, on the subject of ‘To tell or not to tell?’. The webinar presented issues and ideas about whether and how to tell an employer that you are neurodivergent, which are reproduced below. Participants…
On Sunday (21 January), Red in the Spectrum held the second in of our series of ten Sunday evening Neurodiversity at Work webinars, on the subject of ‘Workplace changes and reasonable adjustments’. Over thirty people attended, from a variety of jobs and work locations, and contributed their experience by speaking, posting in the chat, and…
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