b'Member News March 2024 9Equality, diversity and inclusionNeurodiversity inWhat is neurodiversity?IET commitments We are committing to:engineering andNeurodiversity is used to describe1. Enhancing neuroinclusion the concept that all humans vary across the IET through in terms of our neurocognitiveimproved organisational technology ability. In the report we usepractices.the term neurodivergent to2. Ensuring accessibility describe specific neurotypes in our governance In the last edition of Member News we updated you including ADHD, autism,processes for increased on our Neurodiversity in engineering and technologydyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculiarepresentation of project, which you can now read about. and Tourette syndrome. neurodiverse professionals in leadership roles. Our findings revealed Lack of awareness andA 2022 IET survey found that 3. Delivering a practical an urgent need to makeunderstanding; almost one in five people from engineering and technology Neurotypical approachesour IET Volunteer communitytoolkit by Q2 2024 to help foster safe working more accessible toand expectationswho responded (19%) identifiedenvironments for neurodivergent people. Somebeing the standard foras definitely or possiblyneurodiverse engineering of the main findings include:workplace behaviour; neurodivergent. employees and employers. The current situation is Distracting and noisy 4. Offering professional not, in general, positive. working environments;development opportunitiesMany people are reluctant Accessing workplaceOur report provides specificto raise awareness of theto be open at work aboutadaptations; recommendations for actionstrengths of neurodiversity their neurodivergence duefor managers and colleagues ofwithin the STEMAnd the impact of all these to stigma and say they faceon sustaining good mentalneurodivergent engineers andcommunity.a range of challenges.health and well-being. technicians, employers, external Some believe the many variedpartners, and neurodiverse engineers5. Growing, developing strengths they bring to theirAnd the good news? Itsand technicians themselves. It alsoand supporting our IET work are not recognised orclear what needs to be donereveals insights from the projectneurodiversity network.appreciated by employers andand participants in the studyteam on creating6. Advocating for thefear the risks in speaking upidentified seven key areasan environmentneeds of neurodivergent may outweigh the benefits. where change is needed:in whichengineers and technicians;Many find that being part T reating neurodivergentengaging with government neurodivergent of an under-representedengineers and techniciansNeurodiversityand key industry forums engineers andin engineering group within the industryas individuals.techniciansand technology to do so.magnifies the challenges.Raising awareness and felt able and7. Collaborating with otherDue to a general lack ofshifting attitudes.professional engineering comfortable awareness and understanding T raining line managers toto speakinstitutions to create of neurodiversity, employerssupport neurodivergentabout theirHow to build a more neuroinclusive profession a more neuroinclusive miss the opportunityteam members.experiences. theiet.org/neurodiversity-in-engineering-and-technology profession.to help neurodiverse Integrating neurodiversity employees excel at work.into working practices Not all the workplaceand culture.For more information and to explore the fullchallenges that Making it easier to accessreport please visit theiet.org/neurodiversity orneurodivergent engineersworkplace adjustments.scan the QR code:and technicians face are Offering targeted career Feeling inspired? Download our pledge cards andrelated to the specificssupport where it is wanted.make your commitment to creating a more neuroinclusive culture. of their neurotype. Enabling neurodivergentChallenges can result fromengineers and technicians To join the IET Neurodiversity member network contact thea range of other factors:to access and build support.EDI team at inclusion@theiet.org.We thank all members of the Advisory Group and all focus group participants who took part in this study, for sharing their experiences and insights. Look out for more information to come throughout 2024.'