Topic: Neurodiversity
Speaker: Micki Washington, AIA, RID, NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED® AP
We are living in a time of increased numbers of neurodivergents and awareness about ADHD, Dyslexia, Autistic and others neurological states. In fact, 1 in 8 people are considered neurodiverse but fewer than 50% know it. Neurodivergents tend to be high energy, out of the box thinkers, excel in a crisis, and be bold problem solvers, but navigating the modern workplace can be a challenge. Not only is designing space to be inclusive the right thing to do, there is a compelling business case for it as well. Space today needs to reflect the diverse makeup of organization’s to set all up for success.
This presentation will introduce steps for how organizations can rethink their spaces to be more inclusive and to help an increasingly neurodiverse workforce thrive—and in the process create work spaces to be more functional and welcoming to all.
Micki has nearly two decades of experience managing workplace design teams for large corporate clients. She has helped shape headquarters environments for companies in the Texas Region and Globally. Micki has expertise in all aspects of the project design and construction design process, project management, business development, quality control and client relationship building. Micki’s project experience ranges from large scale corporate headquarters interiors build-outs to small office suite renovations, and everything in between.. She leads HOK’s WorkPlace practice in the region, where she focuses on collaborating with corporate workplace clients to streamline communications between client decision makers and HOK’s design teams. She serves in a variety of industry leadership roles, including as a board member and committee chair for the Houston Chapter of International Facility Management Association (IFMA). She is a co-founder, current member and past chair of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) interior architecture committee.