In surveys — of both student populations and the population at large — it is estimated that 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. Even this figure could be an underrepresentation, as many students in academic settings don’t want to disclose their status. Similarly, many groups including minorities and women, are underdiagnosed and undersupported.
To make the Library a more welcoming space, we plan to use Brown Library to pilot neurodivergent-friendly practices and services for UVA Library. These could then be further refined at Brown, and expanded to more Library locations.
Brown is not only the Science and Engineering Library, it is the library that is closest to the first year dorms. As such, there is an incredibly diverse representation of use in Brown Library. Because of that diversity, Brown can serve as a pilot program for the materials, spaces, and services for neurodiverse users with the hope of developing guidelines and support Library-wide. Creating a learning and study environment in the Library that features both spaces and adaptive equipment begins to make the Library more neurodivergent friendly. And while these changes are aimed at neurodivergent users, adaptive and inclusive practices will benefit everyone at Brown Library.
Many of the buildings at UVA pre-date the ADA and certainly the modern definition of neurodivergence. As a result, many of our spaces are organized and designed in complete opposition to the design principles and best practices that have been developed. Our hope is that this will start both the work and conversation around the needs of neurodiverse students that use, or want to use, the Library as a learning environment.