On the occasion of Neurodiversity Pride Day, we were delighted to organise the event “Neurodiversity in the Workplace” on 16 June 2026 in Ljubljana, Slovenia as part of the WIN – Workplace Inclusion: Neurodiversity project. The event brought together representatives of the professional community, employers, support organisations, and other stakeholders committed to fostering more inclusive workplaces.
As this was also the final event of the EU co-funded WIN project, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the project’s activities and key outcomes, all of which are available on the project website: www.win-project.eu. The website also provides access to valuable resources, including the Best Practice Guide and the Employer Training Programme.
The programme continued with the training session “Understanding Neurodiversity and Workplace Inclusion”, delivered by Barbara Zupančič, who provided valuable insights into the inclusion of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace, key workplace adjustments, and the important role of mentors.
We concluded the event with an inspiring and thought-provoking discussion, “When You Are Always Out of the Box”.
Jana Ponikvar, Ksenija Bratuš Albreht, Patricija Lovišček, and Ševala Čehić shared valuable practical insights, experiences, and recommendations on how to create more inclusive workplaces and a more inclusive society. One of the key messages of the discussion was the importance of moving beyond myths and stereotypes. As the saying goes, “If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.” Every individual is unique, with their own strengths, potential, experiences, and support needs.
The speakers highlighted the importance of an individualised approach, clear communication, aligned expectations, and workplace adjustments developed in collaboration between the individual, employers, educational institutions, and support services. Inclusion is not about lowering expectations or standards; it is about creating environments in which people can develop their strengths and contribute in ways that enable them to thrive. The discussion also reminded us that inclusion takes time, curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn and seek solutions together.
Although awareness and understanding of neurodivergence are steadily improving, there is still much work to be done to create truly inclusive workplaces and educational environments. We need fewer prejudices, more listening, and, above all, a genuine willingness to get to know each person as an individual.