ARTICLE · 23 OCTOBER 2026

Designing Workplaces That Work For Everyone: Supporting Neurodivergent Colleagues

A&O Shearman

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Around 20% of the global population is neurodivergent, and most organizations already work alongside people whose needs, strengths, and working styles differ. This article explores how organizations can shift from reactive adjustments to proactively designing environments and ways of working that support neurodivergent colleagues while improving the experience for everyone.

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Around 20% of the global population is neurodivergent, according to Nancy Doyle’s 2020 review in the British Medical Bulletin and most organizations already work alongside people whose needs, strengths, and working styles differ.

For organizations committed to building inclusive, high-performing workplaces, the focus is shifting from reactive adjustments to proactively designing environments and ways of working. Done well, this supports neurodivergent colleagues while improving the experience for everyone.

Moving beyond accessibility to inclusion

Inclusive workplaces go beyond removing physical barriers, they recognize that people experience the world differently and design environments that enable everyone to participate with confidence and independence.

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