Inkclusive Minds Agency

Welcome to Ink-clusive Minds! Keep an eye out for more content and advice from us about flourishing in a marketing or communications role as a neurodiverse person! We'll also be sharing our perspective on how to support neurodiverse employees and freelancers for a genuinely inclusive workplace. #neurodiversity #inclusiveworkplace #neurodivergent #marketing #neurodiversecreatives

Music and earphones in the office? 🎧 Did you know that the ability to listen to music or wear earphones in the office is an accessibility issue? (where safe of course!) Music can help ND folks to regulate themselves and focus more clearly. Similarly, earphones can block out overstimulating noise or distractions which make working deeply uncomfortable and, sometimes, impossible. Many employers dismiss the idea as too casual, or express concerns that music will cause staff to ignore colleagues or miss instructions. On occasion, this will be the case. However, instead of making a blanket policy of refusing this accommodation, we recommend that employers instead put policies in place that facilitate communication while making everyone comfortable in the office environment. Drop us an email to find out more at inkclusiveminds@gmail.com. #Accessibility #InclusiveEmployers #WorkplaceAccessibility

Let's talk about inclusive pronouns 🌈 for #PrideMonth! Have you ever worked with a client who is totally insisting on using 'he/her' instead of 'they'? It's a simple thing, but using gendered language where it isn't necessary can exclude a lot of people and alienate your audience. As a copywriter, don't even get me started on using two words where one will do nicely. It doesn't read well, particularly to a younger audience. I always use that argument when urging clients to use gender-neutral language, but I want to start leaning more heavily into my beliefs and encourage clients to use neutral language to avoid excluding those who might otherwise engage with their brand. #Copywriting #InclusiveLanguage #Neurodiversity

Is your Pride Month campaign neuro-inclusive? We're totally against rainbow-washing, but if you want to elevate the voices of LGBTQ+ creators and brands this Pride Month, you need to be authentic and inclusive. That means: 🌈 Using ALT text on all images 🌈 Accepting and using individuals' preferred language 🌈 Making space for intersectional content 🌈 Considering sensory needs for bright/flashy content 🌈 Understanding that ND folks may have a different experience of being LGBTQ+ than neurotypical people Got it? Now go forth and create fantastic, neuro-inclusive copy that lets your audience know you're committed to driving change. #PrideMonth #Neurodiversity #Neuroinclusive #InclusiveContent

What else would you add? Image description: patterned background with a text box that reads: Inclusive communication is direct and comprehensive; leaves room for questions; means sharing in multiple formats; allows time for processing #dei #neurodiversity #adhd #ActuallyAutistic #NeurodiversityAtWork #NeuroInclusion 

We're here to share resources and support for neurodivergent folks and their employers, so quick tip... ...Give Ellie Middleton a follow 💞

Absolutely agree Lizzie Somerfield! Neuro-inclusive working arrangements mean allowing ND colleagues to work where we're most comfortable and able to regulate ourselves. There's a perception that in-office working makes everyone more 'productive', but that is totally not the case. Office environments can be highly overstimulating for ND folks, particularly on mandatory days that are busier than normal. (As a side note, we shouldn't be relentlessly prioritising productivity over staff wellbeing, but perhaps we're asking too much of the way our economy is set up!) Employers wanting to be more neuro-inclusive need to remember that in-office =/= more and better work (and follow Lizzie for some more great insights). #neuroinclusive #neurodiversity #flexibleworking

Do you have unnecessarily exclusionary policies in place? Every company has its own policies relating to conduct, uniform and communication in the workplace - but these can backfire if you don't think about the motivations behind them. 👗 Do you have a dress code for safety, for branding or to meet client expectations? Or just because you think you should? 🎵 Do you ban earphones in the office so that people can hear the phone, or because you're worried it will make your business look too casual? 📧 Do you insist on 'kind regards', instead of 'thanks', regardless of personal communication style? There is a lot of value in professionalism (in most sectors), but it's time that we think about our shared idea of what is professional and examine whether it is excluding neurodiverse folks. A lot of things that employers don't think of as being ND-friendly are, in fact, essential coping tools. Earphones don't just play music, they regulate sensory input. Our own clothes relieve the difficulty of an unfamiliar texture. Being yourself over email can help with building client relationships. Beyond that, many rules simply exist because of an outdated perception of 'professionalism'. For most clients we know, a great service is received far better by clients than one constrained by unnecessary rules and regulations. How do you support ND employees? . . . #neurodiversity #inclusiveemployers #neurodiversemarketing #workplaceculture #professionalism