Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is proud to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 16 to 22) with a week-long campaign on this year’s theme, From Awareness to Action: Making Organisational Change Happen. Throughout the week, we will highlight how the Council’s Neurodiverse Staff Network is driving culture, policy and practice improvements across the organisation.
Founded in 2018 by UK advocate Siena Castellon, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a global initiative that aims to flip the narrative by challenging stereotypes, acknowledging the challenges many neurodivergent people face, and celebrating their unique strengths and talents. Each year, they outline practical actions that organisations can take to build neuroinclusive environments.
At Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, our Neurodiverse Staff Network focuses on three main pillars: peer support, organisational change in policy and practice, and awareness raising and myth-busting. In support of the overarching theme, the Network will host its third annual staff event – Masking and Burnout: The Hidden Emotional and Physical Cost of Fitting In. The event brings together colleagues from across the Council, including senior leadership and elected Members, to hear a first-ever lived experience panel, challenge common misconceptions, and explore practical steps to help reduce the need to mask at work – turning awareness into action.
Beyond the event, we will also spotlight the Network’s wider programme of change, including clearer routes to reasonable adjustments, enhanced manager briefings on neuroinclusion, and improved internal signposting to support. The Council is also proud to have a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants, which includes neurodivergent people.
Zoe, Chair of the Neurodiverse Staff Network, said: “Members of our Neurodiverse Staff Network tell us that peer support is vital, especially for those awaiting assessment, because it reduces social isolation and gives practical strategies for day-to-day work.
“We’re proud to be hosting our third annual event this year which focuses on masking and burnout, and to deliver our first-ever lived experience panel. As a network, we’re passionate to continue raising awareness and myth-busting to try and make the system easier to navigate for our neurodivergent colleagues.”
Whilst our Neurodiverse Staff Network has already made positive changes across the Council, it is important to recognise that neurodivergent people continue to face barriers at work. Nationally, according to the Department for Work and Pensions, the overall disability employment rate was 52.8% as of Q2 2025, compared to 82.5% for non-disabled people. Within this, autistic people have some of the lowest employment rates with only 34% employed in the 2024/2025.
Pay gaps also persist, with disabled employees earning roughly 12.7% less than non-disabled employees overall. For those with autism, the pay gap was 27.9%, and for those with severe or specific learning difficulties it was 20.3%.
These figures are precisely why this year’s focus on masking and burnout matters. Our Neurodiverse Staff Network are translating their lived experiences into practical steps to help reduce the need to mask and to make work work for them.
Louise Davies, SLT Neurodivergent Champion, said: “Our neurodivergent colleagues have turned lived experience into tangible improvements, including informing our reasonable adjustments scheme, providing neuroinclusive training at manager’s briefings, and working towards fairer processes.
“As the Senior Champion for Neurodiversity in the Council, I am particularly passionate about driving positive change forward for our neurodivergent employees. It’s all about building a culture where people no longer feel the need to mask to belong, and I look forward to seeing what the Network continues to achieve.”
Councillor Maureen Webber BEM, Equality Champion and Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “From awareness to action is the standard that we set, and I am proud to see staff leading in this important work. Inclusive design, fair processes, and a supportive culture benefits everyone across our organisation.
“As the Equality Champion for the Council, I recognise the need for positive change that allows our neurodivergent colleagues to remain and to thrive within work. We will continue to work closely with the Network and its members to improve decision-making, retain talent, and build a culture where no one feels the need to mask.”
Founded by Sienna Castellon in 2018, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organisations, and other around the world with the opportunity to recognise that many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
To find out more about their work, please visit: Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Events
Scaling support, reducing barriers
17 March 2026, 1-2pm
This session explores how universal design principles can transform workplaces, making tasks, environments, and communications more flexible and accessible for all.
Register here
Leading the way: Neuroinclusive leadership in action
18 March 2026, 11-2pm
Focusing on the pivotal role of leadership in driving organisational change towards neuroinclusion, this event highlights the importance of fostering psychological safety, trust, and openness.
Register here
From process to practice: Embedding neuroinclusion in the employee journey
19 March 2026, 1-2pm
A practical session for managers and HR professionals on weaving neuroinclusion through every stage of the employee experience, from attraction, recruitment and onboarding to managing performance and career progression.
Register here
The future of neuroinclusion: Innovation, data, and impact
20 March 2026, 1-2pm
The final session looks ahead to how technology, evidence, and partnerships will drive sustainable neuroinclusion.
Register here
The National Neurodivergence Team is delighted to share that registration is now open for Neuroinclusion Matters! – a pair of FREE online events taking place during Neurodiversity Celebration Week:
Neuroinclusion Matters! – Session 2: How We Create a Neuroinclusive Society
Friday 20 March 2026, 10am–12pm
Featuring Rosie Higgins of Unquiet Media, who will guide us through practical ways to create more neuroinclusive workplaces and communities
More information and to register: Neuroinclusion Matters! - Niwrowahaniaeth Cymru | Neurodivergence Wales | National Neurodivergence Team
Posted on 16/03/2026