DAY 1 • TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER • 11.45 – 12.15
Fireside Chat: Designing inclusive spaces for neurodiversity - creating environments where everyone can thrive
This fireside chat will explore how physical, digital, and social spaces can be intentionally designed to support a wide range of cognitive styles, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodiversity.
The discussion will focus on practical approaches that move beyond compliance-driven accessibility to create environments that foster comfort, productivity, and psychological safety for all.
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Designing workplaces that reduce sensory overload through thoughtful lighting, acoustics, and layout
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Creating flexible environments that support different working and focus styles
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Improving navigation and usability through clear wayfinding and intuitive design
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Building inclusive communication practices that accommodate diverse needs
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Supporting autonomy and flexibility in how work is organised and completed
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Understanding how neurodiversity-focused design benefits all employees and users
Jason Slocombe, Senior Inclusive Design Consultant, Motionspot
Jenny Gardner, Director of Development and Construction, Advanced Research Clusters (ARC)
Jo Williams, Client Relationship & Communications Manager, Motionspot
Jason Slocombe
At inclusive design consultancy Motionspot, Jason advises architects, designers, workplace and estates professionals, and end-clients on how to make their buildings and spaces more accessible and inclusive for everyone, including people with disabilities and specific needs.
Jason is a qualified architect specialising in the design of spaces for people with neurodivergence, especially autism. Jason is an expert in human-centred design, health, wellbeing, and accessibility for people with cognitive, sensory, social and communication sensitivities. Jason has a diagnosis of ADHD and dyspraxia and brings his lived experiences of neurodivergence to his work.
Jason has a Masters in Health, Wellbeing and Sustainable Buildings from UCL, and his research designing autistic-inclusive spaces led to a unique specialism in visual noise and the effect of patterns on people with sensory sensitivities. He continues to be a passionate advocate for autism inclusion and was a primary contributor to the new PAS (6463) Design for the Mind.
Jenny Gardner
Jenny Gardner is a director of development and construction for Advanced Research Clusters (ARC). In this role, Mrs. Gardner supports the advancement of the strategic master plan at Harwell Campus, a 700-acre site in southern Oxfordshire with a pipeline of 2m+ square feet of innovation-focused private development. Jenny leads on the delivery of a number of key current developments including the 120k square foot CO:LABS building and is actively working with her team on coordinated plans for sustainable and wholistic expansion planned for the coming decade.
Prior to joining ARC in 2022, Mrs Gardner was a director of life sciences at Jones Lange Lasalle in London, providing advisory services to owner/developer clients in the sector. Previously, she worked in America for a large life-science focused REIT delivering complex projects in southern California.
Jenny has a strong understanding of the innovation ecosystem and how to create thoughtful real estate solutions that enable organic growth to occur at pace. She is passionate about providing quality human-focused, intentional, and flexible solutions that are fundamental to the future of this vital asset class.
Jo Williams
As a wheelchair user herself, Jo is passionate about access and inclusive design that looks good too. Jo works closely with existing and new clients to help them realise their inclusive built environment ambitions and support their diversity, inclusion and ESG objectives as well as communicating their achievements and impact to a broad range of stakeholder.