Autism Acceptance: signposting for support

This Autism Awareness Week, the BIAZA DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion) Working Group has provided signposting links to support colleagues. For further guidance, BIAZA members can access new resources for 2026 here.  Small BIAZA zoos and aquariums should also look at our new funding opportinity for inclusivity with Agility Marketing - see more here.

For Autism Awareness Week, we hope that you join us in recognising and celebrating the many different ways we think, learn, and experience the world. This year we’re focussing on the support that we can provide for our neurodivergent colleagues.

Neurodivergent employees can experience challenges at work that others may not be aware of. The DEAI working group have created a Communication Checklist to make communication with your autistic colleagues more accessible. If you would like to provide more training for your staff but don’t have the funding here is a blog to let you know more about funding options available in UK and Ireland.

If you want to learn more, below are some links for resources and bitesize learning videos. Whilst the NHS links refer to ‘patients’, the content and suggestions are relevant for everyone. Everyone can benefit from learning more about neurodiversity and how to remove the barriers to inclusion that neurodivergent people may encounter. Neurodiversity is part of the natural and wonderful diversity of humans. Its presence in the workplace is a strength.

Links for websited and resources to learn more;

• Supporting-Autistic-People-as-Colleagues.pdf.
• What Is Neurodiversity? Meaning, Examples & Importance
• Home - Neurodiversity UK

Links for short videos to learn more;

• Neurodiversity Explained (NHS)
• How to Support Neurodiverse Colleagues and Patients (NHS)
• How to use Inclusive Language for Neurodiversity (NHS)
• Strengths and Challenges of Neurodivergent People (NHS)
• Young people explain autism | Ambitious about Autism
• Support neurodiversity in the workplace (HSE)
• Autistic to Non Autistic Communication: A Two Way Street (AsIAm Ireland)

- Many thanks to Hannah Brooks (Senior Community Participation and Engagement Manager, Chester Zoo and BIAZA DEAI Working Group Chair) and the BIAZA DEAI Working Group.