Navan businesses 'promoting inclusion' of neurodivergent people

Hannah McNamara

Neurodiversity Navan have named their first 'Neurodiversity Champions', local groups that take part in making Navan a neurodiverse friendly town.

Navan Library and Leon's Cafe have been announced as Navan's first Neurodiverse Champions.

"A Neurodiversity Champion is a local business, organisation, public sector or volunteer group that commits to joining Neurodiversity Navan on our journey to make our community a Neurodiverse Friendly Town," said founder of Neurodiversity Navan, Eva Burke.

Eva added: "Navan Library has been working with Neurodiversity Navan over the past year to introduce small but meaningful accommodations that allow neurodivergent people and their families access the library for the very first time.

"Libraries are often the central hub of social connection within communities, they cut across all ages, income levels, ethnicity and physical abilities. Yet so many neurodivergent families had never been to their local library out of fear of judgment from other users for perhaps making too much noise or fear of the unknown.

"When we approached the library to introduce a sensory hour, they couldn't have been more supportive. They already foster a welcoming and inclusive environment but some small accommodations just give families the confidence to access the space in a way that works for them. The library offered up a designated quiet area and were very keen to find more ways for neurodivergent people and their families to access their services; implementing social stories, video walkthroughs and new books on neurodiversity.

"Another accommodation that Navan Library have introduced is that a percentage of their staff will undergo our free training to understand Neurodiversity and Autism. While the training will educate the staff to improve their understanding of neurodiversity, it will also give neurodivergent people a sense of relief knowing that they will be understood.

She added: "They have been a wonderful partner."

Leon's Cafe and Wine Bar were announced as the second Neurodiversity Champion in Navan. Similar to the library, their staff will undergo training, a visual guide will be created for the neurodiverse customers to know what to expect and other small sensory accommodations will be introduced.

"Leon's is a local business already doing so much to promote inclusion in our community. Hosting coffee mornings for many neurodivergent groups, they lead by example with their kindness, patience, and inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Leon's represent so much of what we are about at Neurodiversity Navan, they prioritise inclusion and the sense of belonging within the community. We are delighted to have them on board as a Neurodiversity Champion."

Neurodiversity Navan have also been working with the Navan Makers Market team to make it a neurodiverse friendly experience. Eva said: "Having worked with the organisers on an event previously, we knew how passionate and committed they were about being inclusive. The market organisers reached out to us earlier this year looking for support to make the Navan Makers Market neurodiverse friendly. This was a first for us, an organiser proactively reaching out asking what accommodations they should put in place without anyone having to ask for it. That's what inclusion is all about."

Eva said that while introducing these small accommodations improves the daily lives of neurodivergent people, it also becomes an asset to the local businesses: "It's important to emphasise that neurodiverse friendly is people friendly. It's about creating an environment that is more patient, understand and communicates in a clear way, which will benefit so many people in our community not just those that are neurodivergent. It also signals to customers that you're an inclusive organisation that welcomes a wide diversity of customers, which is already a social responsibility goal for most businesses."

Neurodiversity Navan is a community support group in partnership with AsIAm, Ireland's Autism charity, aiming to make Navan an inclusive town. It was founded in March 2023 by Eva Burke, a mother of a child with autism, with the intent of making great steps in improving the daily lives of neurodivergent people.

Speaking a little about the group, Eva said: "There is a lot of fear due to the lack of support for neurodivergent people and their families. Neurodiversity Navan is a place where those who are struggling can come together and realise they are not on this journey alone.

"Our aim is to educate the people of Navan about neurodiversity and autism, and promote inclusion of neurodivergent people and families in Navan.

"We have a Whatsapp groupchat where our members can chat amongst themselves, sharing advice. We also hold coffee mornings for our members to join together.

"It means so much to us that local businesses are getting involved and practicing what we preach by promoting inclusion."