#32 The Neurodiversity Advantage : A Business Case for Inclusive Change, with Natalie Phillips-Mason

Today's shopping malls work hard to grab our attention. But in their attempts to 'delight' our senses with all their bells and whistles, new findings uncovered in research conducted by today's guest, Natalie Phillips-Mason, reveals today's retail giants might be missing the mark. 

It's by no mistake this conversation is timed to reach your ears for Neurodiversity Celebration Week. And if you think inclusive language, customer experience and workplace design is only for the 20% of people who represent our neurodivergent community, think again! 

As Natalie's research reveals, what works well in supporting and delighting those of us with lived experiences of ADHD, Autism, OCD, Dsylexia, Tourettes and other minority neurotypes, happens to also be of preference to neurotypical folk, too. 

Grab your pen and paper, and get ready to learn. I ask the tough questions you've been wanting the answers to around inclusive communication and action, and Natalie shares a wealth of personal stories alongside her professional insights and cutting edge findings. Plus, a list a mile long that celebrates some of our neurodiversity change champions and supports your future learning! 

Key Moments: 

00:59 A background to Neurodiversity Celebration Week
07:03 Understanding Neurodiversity and exploring inclusive language 
14:08 Symbolism in Neurodiversity - do we get it right, and why curiosity matters
15:33 Shifts in culture and inclusivity in the Corporate sector
22:00 Natalie shares her research findings on Neurodiversity in the Retail Sector
28:04 Creating equity in shopping experiences, why it matters and who for
31:46 Uplifting sensory joy in our community
33:09 The Hidden Disability Sunflower program and its impact
34:36 The importance and value of designing in-store shopping experiences
46:40 Inclusive Impact: a future that embraces partnership and co-design

LINKS FOR THE SHOW:

For a full list of resources and links to today’s shownotes, see the episode webpage here 

Connect with Natalie via LinkedIn here, and via her website here 

Join Messy Magic, an online program supporting women with ADHD here

To discover how The Posify Group can support your school or workplace in achieving its diversity and inclusion learning and development goals, visit www.theposifygroup.com.au

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