NEW DATE: NOV 28th

13:00-15:00

Everyone in HÍ, as well as members of the public, are invited to a short seminar or ‘Stiminar’ to discuss how the university environment could be more accessible for neurodivergent students and staff.

What will happen:

Neurodivergent students and staff, and neurodivergent members of the public with experience of the university environment or of being unable to access it, are invited to share their experiences and ideas;

Everyone else is invited to listen, learn, and join the discussion. Engagement from everyone else really helps to bring about change, and there is no-one for whom this stiminar is suitable.

The event and the venue will be ‘neurodiversity-optimised’ and otherwise accessible as detailed below.

Where:

National Library Conference Hall: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VCeLpqUvFs44cshm7

When:

Thursday November 28

13:00-15:00

Opportunity to share experiences before the Stiminar:

In advance of the Stiminar, we can begin the discussion online by sharing ideas and experiences regarding neurodivergent accessibility in the university on the Forum page.

– As a neurodivergent student, staff member, researcher etc, what has worked for you on campus or within the university structures otherwise? What has not worked? What would make the university more accessible to you? Are there examples of better accessibility within other organisations or communities that you can share?

– As a neurotypical person on campus, what have been your observations and thoughts about neurodivergent accessibility? Have you noticed the absence of neurodivergent contributions in any specific areas? What are your thoughts on this absence and its potential effects? Are there questions you would like to ask?

– As someone outside of the university, have you experienced barriers to access or to continuation? What would remove or reduce these for you?

– Are you a researcher (inside or outside the university) in any aspect of this topic with related knowledge to share? 

Your contributions to this ‘virtual, asynchronous meeting’ will enrich and enhance the rescheduled Stiminar. The virtual meeting will be moderated by the project lead and will remain open until the week of the rescheduled Stiminar, when a summary will be shared to kick off the discussion. 

Accessibility information:

This is a Neurodivergent event so it will be different from other kinds of events.

Communication: an event organiser will meet you at the door. They will provide stickers you can wear to show how you would like to communicate: 

RED = do not speak to me 

YELLOW = I only want to speak to people I know 

GREEN = I am ok with speaking to people 

You can change sticker colour at any time.

The seminar will be live-streamed. It will be conducted in English.

Unfortunately there is no sign language interpreter available for the Stiminar.

Environment:

Low Sensory Stimulation: this means that lights and sounds will be soft, and everyone will try to speak and move softly. Please click your fingers instead of clapping, and do not bring strong smells into or near the venue – including smoking.  Also please do not make deliberate contact with anyone without consent.

The conference hall is a fairly large room which you enter from the back. It is located on the 2nd floor of the library near the entrance and will be clearly signposted.

Chairs will be spaced with gaps between them; you can sit where you like apart from at the desk at the front; do not reposition the chairs as this may invade the space of other attendees. 

The venue is accessible via elevator. Accessible bathroom location will be clearly announced and signposted.

A quiet area outside the venue will be available for sensory breaks.

What will happen:

The event will start at 13:00 with a short introduction.

The event will start precisely on time so that the end time is predictable. But there will be someone at the door to help latecomers.

Then several people with experiences on the topic will speak briefly. Then the floor will be open for sharing and discussion.

Discussion contributions can take the form of speaking, emailing text to kathy@hi.is (in advance or during the event), sharing drawings, or any other format that works.

At 15:00 the host will thank everyone briefly, and then the event is over. 

Event organisers will prioritise maintaining a  safe space where there is no tolerance for discrimination or harassment.  

If you want to speak with any of the organisers afterwards, check their communication badge and wait until they are not speaking with anyone else. You can also follow up by email. 

Stimming, taking breaks, and otherwise being your neurodivergent self is always ok. 

As always, contact kathy@hi.is with any queries about this.

 Project supported by the Icelandic Research Fund grant no. 239667-051S