Celebrating neurodiversity all year round

Neurodiversity Celebration Week takes place every March, but it's essential for neuroinclusion to be actioned throughout the year.

Neurodiversity encompasses a range of neurological differences, like Autism, AD(H)D, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and Dyscalculia. These differences are not deficits but variations that contribute to peoples' individuality, unique skill sets, and personal challenges.

Michelle Essen, Chair of our Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) Disability and Neurodiversity Network, explained: 

"It's estimated that around one in five people is neurodivergent, and likely more. So it's crucial that we continually and consistently raise awareness and foster an environment where neurodivergent people feel supported and valued. Recognising and embracing our differences every day gives everyone the opportunity to succeed while being their authentic selves."

Gearalt Fahy, WBD Employment Partner added: 

"I agree with Michelle that celebrating neurodiversity isn't just a week-long event; it's a year-round commitment to fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace. As someone who is neurodivergent, I know firsthand the value of diverse perspectives. By embracing diverse minds every day, we unlock unique insights and drive our collective success. We should champion neurodiversity together, today and every day."

At WBD, our WBD Disability and Neurodiversity Network has been actively promoting neuroinclusion for several years, initially raising awareness in 2022 through information and infographics, and then ensuring that progress and engagement has increased year on year, working with key teams and supportive stakeholders across the firm. For example:

• In March 2023, we launched our first Neurodiversity Umbrella Project with multi-coloured umbrellas across our UK offices to visually represent and celebrate our different minds
• In December 2023, our firmwide reasonable adjustments policy was launched
• In early 2024, we achieved Disability Confident Leader status (which only a handful of law firms hold), as a result of our work in changing a number of our processes and policies, including for neurodivergent candidates with focus on our recruitment processes
• In March 2024, alongside our umbrellas, a webinar on managing and supporting neurodiverse colleagues empowered our managers to help their colleagues thrive. We also launched our sensory kits available to all our people
• In June 2024, we joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, a significant milestone in our business' culture
• In August 2024, our workplace adjustment passports were introduced
• In December 2024, our new "myth busting" series helped deepen peoples' understanding of disability and neurodiversity
• In January 2025, after several months' trial, we rolled out mini sensory kits and quiet rooms for our clients and visitors
• And in March 2025, our umbrellas were prominent again, followed by our officewide events in April, where we watched Neurodiversity Celebration Week webinars over Lego. This increased understanding of neurodiversity while highlighting creative thinking and problem-solving skills, emphasised different ways to improve focus, fostered teamwork and bonding, and showcased individuality.

Christopher Oddy, WBD's Head of Pricing & Commercial Development, who helped lead one of the neurodiversity and Lego sessions, explained:

"We held these sessions across our UK offices, each led by members of the WBD Disability and Neurodiversity Network with the aim to create an inclusive environment that was comfortable for all attendees, to both learn more about Neurodivergence, and feel comfortable to share and discuss their own personal experiences with colleagues.

So why Lego? Neurodivergence is very personal to the individual and can affect people both emotionally and in how they productive or social they are in different ways from day to day, or even by hour and hour throughout a given day. So having a shared learning plus a fun activity to focus on in relaxed a social environment helps to regulate emotions, improve focus and facilitate conversations.

In our London session, everyone got involved and we had some fantastic conversations, shared personal stories and information and most importantly laughed and had fun. So much so that it was jokingly suggested that we should have Lego as a permanent feature in all our meeting rooms so it can be used for any type of meeting … Did I mention that Neurodiverse people think differently, that’s the point!"

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