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Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2023

Neurodiversity Celebration Week Event

In Marche we celebrated neurodiversity inclusion. Neurodivergent speakers shared their  experiences of working in film making, comic book illustration and comedy as Gaeilge, and offered insights on what has supported them in their careers and barriers they have overcome. We learnt about the Making UCD Neurodiversity Friendly Campus Project led by Dr Blánaid Gavin and Dr Timmy Frawley and took part in a workshop by Dyslexia Ireland.

Theme 1: Neurodiversity and Creativity

This discussion explored creativity and neurodiversity and delves into the experiences of artists who are neurodivergent - the advantages it can bring, as well as navigating a career in the creative industries.  

Speakers 

  • Anna Czarska  Film Director, Producer and Writer
  • Dearbhla Kelly Graphic Designer, Illustrator and Colourist
  • Louisa Ní Éideáin Comedian and Writer 
  • Dr Cliona Kelly, UCD EDI Neurodiversity Working Group Member, Assistant Professor, UCD Sutherland School of Law (Chair)

Theme 2: Making UCD a Neurodiversity Friendly Campus 

UCD Neurodiversity Working Group recently completed an employee and student consultation on neurodiversity inclusion in UCD. An update on the project and key findings were delivered by

Speakers

  • Dr Blánaid Gavin, Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Chair of UCD EDI Neurodiversity Working Group
  • Dr Timothy Frawley, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, Co-Chair of UCD EDI Neurodiversity Working Group Research Subgroup

Theme 3: Spotlight on Dyslexia 

This year we have invited Dyslexia Ireland to deliver a workshop with a strengths based focus, shining a light on dyslexia and inclusion in the workplace for employees and students.

Speaker:

Nicola Beagen, Adult Dyslexia Coordinator, Dyslexia Ireland

Michael Hevey, PhD candidate, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems and Advanced Nurse Practitioner

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Take a moment to explore the website’s blogs, webinars, and masterclasses. We explore the concept of neurodiversity through the lens of art, culture, architecture, business and technology. From neurodivergent artists and advocates to students, graduates, and employees, we explore the lived experiences of neurodiverse people and share the latest best practice. 

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is organised by UCD Neurodiversity Group and UCD Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Unit. UCD's Neurodiversity Group is tasked with developing a set of recommendations to review supports for neurodivergent employees and students and to ensure UCD is an equitable, supportive and neurodiversity friendly environment for all to study and work.

Visit the Neurodiversity Celebration Week website .

Contact UCD Equality Diversity and Inclusion

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
E: edi@ucd.ie