Trade union neurodiversity course: sign up!
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Trade union neurodiversity course: sign up!

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…

Change school not us! An autistic student speaks out

Change school not us! An autistic student speaks out

This interview – filmed for use in teaching education workers about neurodiversity – sees Joe Booth, a young autistic adult, talk with Red in the Spectrum’s Janine Booth (his mum) about his experiences as an autistic student – in school and in college – barriers that he experienced, and things that he found useful to…

Neurodiversity in rail: 10 challenges to the industry

Neurodiversity in rail: 10 challenges to the industry

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…

Neurodiversity: There is power in a union: Webinar 10
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Neurodiversity: There is power in a union: Webinar 10

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: Webinar 9
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Neurodiversity and Workplace Safety: Webinar 9

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: Webinar 8

Neuro-inclusive recruitment: Webinar 8

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: Webinar 7

Working carers’ rights: flexible working and more: Webinar 7

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: Webinar 6
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Intersectionality: Neurodivergence and other identities: Webinar 6

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: Webinar 5
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Discipline, attendance, performance management: Webinar 5

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….

Neurodivergent people’s legal rights at work: Webinar 4
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Neurodivergent people’s legal rights at work: Webinar 4

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…

To tell or not to tell an employer that I am neurodivergent? Webinar 3

To tell or not to tell an employer that I am neurodivergent? Webinar 3

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…

Workplace changes and reasonable adjustments: Webinar 2
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Workplace changes and reasonable adjustments: Webinar 2

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…

Discrimination and how to tackle it: Webinar 1

Discrimination and how to tackle it: Webinar 1

Yesterday (Sunday 14 January), Red in the Spectrum held the first of our series of ten Sunday evening Neurodiversity at Work webinars, on the subject of ‘Discrimination and how to tackle it’. People from a variety of jobs and work locations attended, sharing their experiences of discrimination and learning strategies for tackling it. The webinar…

I’m Autistic: It’s an Adjective not an Accessory

I’m Autistic: It’s an Adjective not an Accessory

(and why I prefer to think of it like this rather than as IFL vs PFL) by Janine Booth ‘Autistic person’ or ‘Person with autism’? There are many good articles explaining why most autistic people prefer to be referred to as ‘autistic people’ rather than ‘people with autism’. The purpose of this article is not to add one more explanation to…

Is a neurodivergent worker disabled under UK law?
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Is a neurodivergent worker disabled under UK law?

by Janine Booth Is a neurodivergent worker disabled under UK law? The law judges this on a case-by-case basis. The 2010 Equality Act states that an individual is disabled under the law if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a long-term, substantial, adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day…

Neurodiversity at Work: guides to rights and change – 10 webinars

Neurodiversity at Work: guides to rights and change – 10 webinars

In early 2024, Red in the Spectrum hosted a series of one-hour webinars on Sunday evenings about neurodiversity at work. We will run these and similar webinars in the future. Red in the Spectrum will also deliver these webinars to organisations. Contact us to discuss this. Detailed reports of the neurodiversity at work webinars are…

Neurodivergent and LGBT+: intersecting identities

Neurodivergent and LGBT+: intersecting identities

Neurodivergent and LGBT+: Intersecting identities It is increasingly claimed that: Neurodivergent (dyslexic, dyspraxic, ADHD, autistic etc) people are more likely to be LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or other non-cis/het) and vice versa. However: Many of the claims are anecdotal. Nearly all statistical evidence relates to autism, and to a lesser extent, ADHD. Evidence is…