Neurodiversity: how accessible is your recruitment process?

Neurodiversity, a crucial aspect of diversity and inclusion, remains underrepresented in workplace practices.

Many recruitment processes unintentionally create barriers for neurodivergent individuals through inaccessible design, language, and lack of support tools. With one in three UK apprentices having additional learning needs, ensuring accessibility in recruitment is more important than ever.

The article highlights common misunderstandings about neurodiversity, such as its prevalence and impact. Stigma around cognitive differences often discourages individuals from disclosing their needs, leading to missed opportunities for both employees and organisations.

Cognassist’s research on apprenticeship providers revealed critical gaps: fewer than half of providers were disability confident, many lacked accessibility statements, and essential tools like screen readers and alternative formats were rare. These shortcomings hinder equal opportunities for neurodiverse candidates.

To foster inclusivity, organisations must assess their recruitment processes and adopt accessible practices, including clearer language, user-friendly interfaces, and neurodiversity support tools. Celebrating diverse cognitive strengths and normalising differences can lead to fairer workplaces and unlock valuable perspectives.