CHANGE
cannot succeed without equity
SENDism is built into the institutions, systems and attitudes people rely on every day.
Without recognising and removing these barriers, reform risks reproducing the same inequalities.
This campaign exists to expose the discrimination that prevents change from succeeding:
in school, in work, in society, in life.
what needs to change?
UPHOLDING THE LAW & LEGAL RIGHTS
FROM INCLUSION TO NEURO-INCLUSION
Protection in Law​
Neuro-Type warrants recognition as a distinct
protected characteristic under equality law,
protecting neurodivergent differences beyond
the existing definition of disability.
Cross Party Agreement​
SEND support and Neuro-Inclusion must not shift
with political cycles. Stability, accountability and consistency are fundamental to effective support
and lasting change.
No decision about us without us​
Neurodivergent individuals and families
must have meaningful representation
throughout policy, decision making
and system design.
Independant accountability​
Independent oversight must assess compliance
with agreed national standards, identify
discriminatory practices and provide accessible
routes to challenge decisions and seek redress.
Regulation with enforcement
Rights without enforcement leave inequality unchallenged. Clear regulatory powers and consequences must ensure institutions are held accountable when they fail to meet agreed standards.
Neuroinclusion Design​
Systems, services and environments must be designed to recognise and accommodate different neurotypes from the outset, rather than relying on individual adjustments after difficulties arise.
Inclusive accessibility standards​
Accessibility standards must extend beyond physical access to include sensory, communication, cognitive and processing differences across all environments and services.
Evidence-Informed Training
All staff must receive mandatory, nationally approved training, informed by research, developed in partnership with people with lived experience and evaluated for effectiveness in practice.
Transparency & meaningful data​
Systems must collect meaningful data, including lived experiences, to expose unmet needs, discriminatory practices and unequal outcomes, enabling transparency and measurable accountability.
Equitable Access
Equity in education​
Education must provide equitable access to learning, assessments and opportunity, recognising different Neuro-Types and adapting to individual needs rather than expecting conformity.
Equitable healthcare​
Healthcare must recognise neurodivergent
differences in communication, sensory
processing and individual needs, ensuring
equitable access to assessments, treatment and care.
Equity in employment
Employers must provide equitable access to recruitment, progression and workplace
opportunities, recognising different Neuro-Types
and removing unnecessary barriers to participation.
Crisis Prevention & Support
Neuro-Affirming de-escalation
Systems must adapt their understanding, recognise and respond appropriately to early signs of distress, preventing unmet needs from escalating into crisis, exclusion or harm.
Safeguarding and vulnerability
Safeguarding practices must recognise how neurodivergent differences, unmet needs and discriminatory environments can increase
vulnerability to exploitation, abuse and harm.
Informed emergency responders​
Crisis services and emergency responders must recognise neurodivergent communication differences, distress and sensory sensitivities, in order to respond safely without escalating or misinterpreting behaviour.
Accessible Crisis Support
A national 24-hour crisis helpline with accessible specialist services to provide real-time neuro-affirming support, connected to follow-up pathways with appropriate and immediate places of safety or care.
Equitable Support
Consistentcy across systems​​
Support must be consistent across education, healthcare, employment and public services,
without unfair variation between institutions, professionals or geographical areas.
Neuro-Affirming and Needs-led support
Recognition and support must reflect individual needs, not depend on diagnostic labels, apparent ability or visible difficulties. Appearing to cope
does not mean support is unnecessary.
Appropriate family & carer support​​
Families and carers must have access to practical guidance, specialist advice and timely support, including during periods of crisis, rather than
being left to manage complex needs alone.
Pre-emptive support​​
Early identification, timely assessment and preventative support must be available before difficulties escalate, without requiring individuals to reach crisis point or wait for a formal diagnosis.
Sustained support​​
Support must remain responsive and continuous
as individual needs change, particularly during transitions between education, employment, healthcare, different stages of life and circumstances.
Preventative Investment​​
Sustained investment must prioritise early support, specialist provision and neuro-inclusive services, recognising that preventing unmet needs and avoidable crises benefits individuals and society.
"rights ignored are rights denied"