differences in individual brain function and behavioural traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. Source: https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/neurodiversity
Difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Dyscalculia Difficulty grasping basic skills of numeracy, arithmetic and mathematics. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including Asperger’s Challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity. Also dyspraxia, dysgraphia, Tourette Syndrome, and others.
• Characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. • Difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language. • Secondary consequences may include problems with reading comprehension and integrating what’s read with other knowledge. • Affects 10 - 15% of the population.
https://usabilla.com/blog/how-to-design-for-dyslexia/ Insert source data here Insert source data here Simple, sans serif fonts • Avoid the use of italics and underlines which can distort or make it more difficult to interpret the shape of letters. • Use bold for emphasis. • Use a single font throughout. Letter, word and line spacing • Reduce letter spacing slightly while increasing the space between words and paragraphs. • Keep white space consistent. • Left justify everything - don’t center justify. Bulleted lists • Where appropriate, use lists. Otherwise, use short sentences and paragraphs. • Keep line lengths short (45-70 characters). DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSE USERS
https://usabilla.com/blog/how-to-design-for-dyslexia/ https://uxplanet.org/designing-for-dyslexia-6d12e8c41cd7 http://www.instantshift.com/2019/04/05/ui-ux-design-for-dyslexia-users/ Color and contrast • Use a lower contrast between text and background. • Black text on a white background can cause a blurred effect. Navigation • Provide flexible navigation with multiple paths to tasks. • Provide a link Home on every page. Graphics, animation, and sound • Reduce reading load by including simple graphics, images, and videos where possible. • Support text labels with appropriate icons. • Avoid animations and moving backgrounds and other visual noise. DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSE USERS
Health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3514770/ • Difficulties with “number sense” (ordering, counting, adding) as well as following multi-step procedures and visualizing patterns. • Associated with impairment of working memory and visuospatial skills. • Not explained by low intelligence, inadequate schooling, or lack of motivation. • Affects about 5% of the population.
Information display • Use digital displays versus analog indicators to convey information. • Use charts versus tables for comparative data. Do the math • When possible, have the system do necessary calculations, like time intervals. • Provide selectable options rather than forcing users to recall numeric information when completing forms. Graphical aids • Use flowcharts to help users visualize multi-step processes. • Repeat graphs so users don’t have to recall information other pages. DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSE USERS
Speaks (https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html) • Characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. • Often accompanied by sensory sensitivities. • Learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. • Affects about 1 in 59 children in the U.S. - three to four times as many boys than girls.
• Use simple sentences and bulleted lists. • Write in plain language, avoiding figures of speech and idioms. • Buttons should use both descriptive text labels and icons. Avoid icon only buttons, unless the icons are very well understood. • When possible, illustrate concepts through images, and not through text. Color and contrast • Use high contrast, but avoid highly saturated, bright colors. • Use soft, mild colors. Navigation • Use a simple, clear information architecture. • Use breadcrumbs or a site map to help users know where they are. DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSE USERS Sources: Journal of Software Engineering and Applications, 2014, 7, 128-134. https://digitalcommunications.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2019/07/08/designing-for-users-on-the-autistic-spectrum/ International Journal on Advances in Life Sciences, vol 8 no 3&4, year 2016
12 Page layout • Use simple and consistent page layouts with plenty of whitespace. • Don’t use background images or overlap semi-transparent images and text. • Avoid pop-up elements and other distractions. • Eliminate elements that “stand out” too much on the page. Assistance • Provide short instructions at each step in multi-step procedure. • Provide easy to find help content. • Use visual progress indicators for time-consuming actions. • Allow users to customize: font type and size, line-spacing, and background and foreground colors. DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSE USERS Sources: Journal of Software Engineering and Applications, 2014, 7, 128-134. https://digitalcommunications.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2019/07/08/designing-for-users-on-the-autistic-spectrum/ International Journal on Advances in Life Sciences, vol 8 no 3&4, year 2016
National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-the-basics/index.shtml) and (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.shtml) • Difficulty with organization, paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors. • Symptoms often begin in childhood, but often continue through adolescence and adulthood. • Difficulty doing tasks in sequence, keeping materials and belongings in order, keeping work organized, managing time, and becoming easily distracted are common characteristics. • Affects about 11% of children and 4-5% of adults in the U.S.
• Use large, sans serif font. • Highlight lines of text in alternating colors. • TL; DR - provide summaries of long chunks of text. • Present information using multiple media types to keep it engaging. Color • Use a calm, soothing color theme free of decoration. Navigation • Avoid large, complicated menu structures. • Provide flexible navigation with multiple paths to content. • Provide a site map. DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSE USERS Sources: McKnight, M. (2011). Designing for Children with ADHD: The Search for Guidelines for Non-Experts. User Experience Magazine, 10(1). https://themasters.io/blog/posts/how-adhd-dyslexia-teach-better-ux-design
15 Page layout • Keep pages neat and uncluttered. • Use clear formatting and a logical information structure. • Avoid distracting page elements like moving text and excessive notifications. • Avoid long forms. Divide multi-step procedures onto separate pages and allow users to see their progress. Assistance • Use visual aids to make the relative importance of page elements obvious. • Reward task success with positive feedback. Don’t just provide error messages. • Avoid task timeouts, or at least warn before timing out. DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSE USERS Sources: McKnight, M. (2011). Designing for Children with ADHD: The Search for Guidelines for Non-Experts. User Experience Magazine, 10(1). https://themasters.io/blog/posts/how-adhd-dyslexia-teach-better-ux-design
offices • Overhead, fluorescent lights Work culture • Social interactions • Long meetings • Frequent task and context switches HR processes • Recruitment • Selection • Career development NEURODIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE Sources: McKnight, M. (2011). Designing for Children with ADHD: The Search for Guidelines for Non-Experts. User Experience Magazine, 10(1). https://themasters.io/blog/posts/how-adhd-dyslexia-teach-better-ux-design
and memory (dyslexia and ASD) • Big picture and divergent thinking (dyslexia) • Sustained concentration and ability to hyper-focus (ADHD) • Extremely detail oriented (ASD) Companies embracing neurodiversity • SAP - Autism at Work program • Microsoft • EY • Hewlett-Packard Enterprise • auticon NEURODIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE Sources: McKnight, M. (2011). Designing for Children with ADHD: The Search for Guidelines for Non-Experts. User Experience Magazine, 10(1). https://themasters.io/blog/posts/how-adhd-dyslexia-teach-better-ux-design At auticon, we hire autistic adults based on their cognitive skills, not their ability to hold a conversation about what they do practically, in an overwhelming and intimidating interview process. We test the skills ourselves with a series of practical tests along with a three-day workshop. Our job offer is based on merits, rather than the ability to talk about merits. Viola Sommer COO, auticon “”
WORKPLACE 19 Source: National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-the-basics/index.shtml) and (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.shtml) • Communication - “assume positive intent” • Be open and available to your teammates • Expect peaks and valleys
to contribute their best by: • Building a supportive community with allies. • Educating Red Hatters on the value of neurodiversity. • Providing development opportunities for community members. • Leaving a lasting impact on the neurodiversity community beyond Red Hat. NEURODIVERSITY COMMUNITY AT RED HAT
Speaker Series World Autism & Bipolar Day Panel Gratitude Wall Blogs & Resources Mental Health First Aid Community Partnerships Parents Corner Mentoring Program Talent Acquisition Consulting Academic & Counseling Partnership Mindfulness Sessions Book Lists SUPPORTING Workspace Consulting Listening Empathy Caring Connecting Understanding Sparking Hope
world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions. Award-winning support, training, and consulting services make Red Hat a trusted adviser to the Fortune 500. Thank you 22
uxyall
ashapiro
securecat
elrns88
amishiratori
cyberagentdevelopers
okabemy
ka3zu1ma10
hjmkth
majimasachi
trallard
jnunemaker
mraible
philhawksworth
philnash
holman
eileencodes
geoffreycrofte
bkeepers
ufuk
chriscoyier
bermonpainter
![20 [ MISSION ] Empower Red Hatters with neurological differences](https://files.speakerdeck.com/presentations/502754b7454243db908fb8fd374d04df/slide_19.jpg){kind=link}
