What is National Inclusion Week?

National Inclusion Week is an annual event that celebrates and promotes inclusion in the workplace. It highlights the importance of fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and has equal access to opportunities. This week serves as a reminder that inclusivity should be a cornerstone of every business strategy, with benefits ranging from higher employee satisfaction to improved innovation and performance.

Why Inclusion Matters

Inclusion goes beyond diversity by ensuring that every individual feels welcomed, respected and supported in the workplace. When employees are empowered to bring their whole selves to work, they are more likely to engage fully, collaborate effectively and contribute creatively. Inclusive organisations are proven to be more innovative, adaptable and successful.

However, creating an inclusive workplace requires more than policies; it requires actionable steps that address both visible and invisible barriers. This is where ATTrain’s services can make a significant impact.

The Benefits of an Inclusive Workplace

The advantages of building an inclusive workplace go beyond just improving employee satisfaction. Inclusion has a measurable impact on organisational success, including:

Higher Employee Engagement: Employees who feel included are more likely to be engaged, leading to higher productivity and loyalty.

Improved Innovation: Diverse perspectives fuel creativity, allowing businesses to find new solutions to complex challenges.

Attracting Top Talent: Inclusive workplaces are more attractive to top-tier candidates, helping organisations recruit and retain the best talent.

Stronger Reputation: Companies that prioritise inclusivity are viewed more positively by consumers, clients and the wider community.

How to Get Involved This National Inclusion Week

Whether you are just beginning your inclusivity journey or looking to build on existing initiatives, National Inclusion Week is a perfect time to start or accelerate efforts toward fostering a more inclusive workplace. Here are a few ways to get involved:

Start a Conversation: Create an open dialogue within your team about what inclusion means and how your workplace can improve.

Conduct an Inclusivity Audit: Work with ATTrain to assess where your organisation stands in terms of inclusivity and identify areas for improvement.

Launch Inclusivity Training: Organise training sessions for employees and leadership to raise awareness and promote inclusive behaviours.

Celebrate Diversity: Recognise and celebrate the diverse talents, backgrounds and experiences within your team.

As we celebrate National Inclusion Week, ATTrain is proud to support organisations in creating workplaces where every employee feels valued and empowered. Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart business decision that drives innovation, improves engagement and strengthens company culture.

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive at work, and our services are designed to make that a reality. Let’s work together to build a more inclusive future for all.

Join the conversation this National Inclusion Week and take the first step toward fostering a truly inclusive workplace.

Executive functioning is broadly defined as the set of cognitive skills that allow us to plan, focus, problem-solve, and multi-task. Those with impaired executive functioning (as is common in conditions like ADHD and ASD), may experience difficulties involving time management, organisation, prioritisation, and task initiation as a result.

We have put together a list of free, online tools to help circumvent these difficulties in the workplace.

Goblin Tools

The Goblin Tools app is a comprehensive digital toolkit, comprised of 5 useful features for workplace efficiency.

Compile

Finally, the compiler feature allows the user to enter a ‘brain dump’ of things they need to get done, which will then be clearly delineated as a list of separate tasks.

(Special mention: there is a 6th feature, called ‘chef’ which will give the user a recipe based on ingredients in their cupboard!)

To-do list

The template provides a format with which the user can separate their tasks into ‘do now’, ‘do soon’ and ‘for the future’ categories, thus assisting with prioritisation.

Meeting note

This template encourages the user to note the date and time, meeting goals, and attendees, before prompting a bullet-pointed agenda. As well as this, the template includes an ‘action’ box, where the users can set reminders for tasks based on meeting content.

Project plan

This template prompts the user to write a summary of the task, before breaking this into its individual components. A grid is also provided to help the user visualise time-frames and deadlines.

Further templates include meeting notes, weekly plans, daily reflections, reading lists, essay/report outlines, and lecture notes.

Priority Matrix

Focus Keeper

Focus Keeper is an online tool that utilises the Pomodoro technique in order to help the user maintain focus. The Pomodoro technique involves breaking work into intervals traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. This helps to maintain motivation, minimise distractions, and boost overall productivity.

Online Workspaces

Online/virtual workspaces offer valuable support for individuals with executive functioning difficulties by providing visual organising, task management features, reminders and notifications, collaboration tools, flexibility and accessibility. The visual nature of these tools allows individuals to understand and manage their workload, while features for setting reminders and notifications act as memory aids, and assist with focus.

Further, customisation options allow individuals to tailor the workspace to their unique preferences and workflow, creating an environment that supports their executive functioning needs effectively.

Most virtual workspaces will provide a free version of the program, with options to upgrade for further features.

The workplace can often present unique challenges, especially for employees with disabilities. Recognising and addressing mental health is not just a moral imperative but a crucial aspect of organisational success. We’ve explored why mental health support is vital and how organisations like ATTrain champion this cause.

Understanding the Unique Challenges

Employees with disabilities often face obstacles that can impact their mental health. From physical barriers to social stigmas, these challenges can exacerbate stress and anxiety. Understanding these unique experiences is the first step towards effective support.

The Role of Employers

Employers hold a pivotal role in fostering a supportive environment. This involves not only compliance with legal requirements but also going beyond to create an inclusive culture. Offering tailored support, flexible work arrangements and fostering open communication are key.

Innovative Solutions

Organisations like ATTrain provide specialised services that bridge gaps in the workplace for those with disabilities. From training programs to assistive technologies like Ideamapper Pro and Microbreak, these tools empower employees, aiding both in productivity and mental wellbeing.

Creating an Inclusive Workplace

Inclusivity isn’t just about adjustments and technologies; it’s about creating a culture that values diversity. This includes awareness programs, regular mental health check-ins and an ethos that prioritises employee wellbeing.

Graham’s journey is representative of many people that face challenges within the workplace. From an early age Graham was aware that his brain acted differently to other people but was worried that he would be stigmatized as a result of this.

“I had always struggled with spelling since school and wasn’t aware of any specific condition that would cause this and just put it down to not being academically gifted. I enjoy reading but I struggled with the writing aspect of language. I would ask family and friends to proofread my written work. I did not feel fully comfortable asking anyone else for help in case they stigmatized my dyslexia”.

Moving in-to his working career, Graham felt that his dyslexia created barriers within his place of work, however like a lot of people Graham was initially apprehensive about taking the first steps in seeking support.

“My job is involved in multiple work sectors and each sector uses their own terminology and processes which I found difficult to navigate in my own mind. I felt that my career progression was filled with barriers relating to my dyslexia.

I then heard about ‘Assistive Training and Technology’ from a friend and they explained that I could receive support with my dyslexia in the workplace. Although I was worried about taking that first step, I made a referral via ‘Access to Work’ and was put in touch with a psychologist who assessed my specific challenges relating to my dyslexia”.

After Grahams assessment he was offered support in the form of Coping strategy sessions and technical training sessions. These enabled Graham to view his Dyslexia in a different light, whilst also offering assistive technology that could enable Graham to succeed and overcome the barriers he was facing.

“From there I attended coping strategy sessions and technical training sessions which supported me with being more organised in my work and how to use assistive technology. I had assistive programs set up on my laptop to cater to my specific working needs.

From the sessions I was also made aware that there is no shame or embarrassment linked to dyslexia and realized I had been placing too much focus on what other people might be thinking about my dyslexia rather than ways to manage my dyslexia in order to feel more confident.

The psychologist helped me to bring more focus to my work tasks, be more accepting than demanding of myself, and to be more reflective in my work and daily life”.

Graham has subsequently completed further education studies and now feels confident that he has made positive changes that will benefit his life, both in work and education.

“I have since obtained a level 3 teaching qualification and feel confident undertaking a MA degree after completing a Foundation degree. I would recommend ‘Assistive Training and Technology’ to anyone who is struggling in silence with dyslexia, the way I did for years, and wants to make a positive change in their ability to carry out their job role”.

Session 1 – Devising a plan

In the session, we discussed the different characteristics of Dyslexia and ADHD and how they impact him in work. We then discussed what his job entails and the different things he struggles with on a daily basis. We used this to plan out the future sessions in order to help Nick put some strategies in place to help:

• Time management and organisation techniques (session 2)
• Organisation skills continued (session 3)
• Memory techniques and note-taking (session 4)
• Confidence and self-belief (session 5)
• Consolidating on techniques and goal setting for the future (session 6)

As well as focusing on what Nick struggles with, we also discussed his strengths and how these play into his work ethic, such as empathy, love of learning and creativity.

After this, we moved on to discussing the prioritising chart. Nick was a little unsure of the chart at first but once we dissected it and looked at each segment separately, he was able to give good examples of tasks he completes on a day-to-day basis and how they would fit into the chart. Nick felt more confident and happier in himself after we had discussed these different strategies and felt a lot happier about putting these things in place to help himself.

Session 3 – Organisation

Since the last session, Nick explained that he had started implementing the strategies and was already feeling the benefit of them. We discussed that since implementing the strategies, he is taking less time to complete his notes and does not feel as rushed as he once did.

He also stated that using a highlighter to emphasise his most important and urgent tasks has helped him massively when prioritising his work. Nick stated that he struggles when his routine is interrupted. We discussed the use of timers and he set himself calendar alerts to ensure he does not forget events.

Nick brought up his struggles with keeping up to date with and completing his client extension form. We created an excel spreadsheet with conditional formatting that Nick could use to keep an up-to-date list of which clients need extra sessions, etc. Nick found this helpful as it is a more accessible way of keeping note and is colour coordinated for different responses.

Nick discussed how he is struggling with a new calendar. We spent the rest of the session creating a poster of the process Nick must go through when a new meeting is booked and if it clashes with his sessions.

Session 4 – Memory and Notes

Nick discussed that he has difficulties remembering information, especially when learning new information in training. We started the session by getting some feedback from Nick on the time-management strategies we looked at previously. He stated that he had been able to implement them with a high success rate and felt really positive about his progress.

We discussed the different ways of encoding information and how these impact upon retrieving information. We then moved on to discussing different physical memory aids Nick could use such as a notebook, calendars, and to-do lists.

We then moved on to discussing different memory aids such as the memory palace. After explaining how it worked, we sat together and created a memory palace to help Nick remember the different parts of the brain and how trauma impacts them. In the next session, we will be covering confidence and self-belief.

Session 5 – Confidence and Self-belief

We first discussed confidence; looking at when Nick feels confident and when he does not. We explored this a little bit and Nick gave some good examples of when and why he felt this way, being aware of his own strengths and weaknesses.

We then moved on to discussing Nick’s strengths and how these apply to his profession and how he uses them to create and maintain relationships. After this, we looked at assertiveness and completed a small quiz. From the quiz, we concluded that Nick is quite an assertive person but he stated that it varies very much on the situation and who else may be with him to help him deal with it.

We moved on to discussing self-esteem and different ways to improve it. Nick was very engaged through the session and was very open and aware of his difficulties surrounding confidence.

Session 6 – Bringing it all together

We discussed how Nick has been getting on with implementing the previously discussed strategies and how effective they have been. He stated that he had still been struggling with finding a weekly planner that he could make daily to-do lists in, so we created our own version together. Nick really liked this and was happy with what we came up with.

Nick stated that the most useful strategies for him were the time planning strategies. Nick reported that he has found it useful to create routines at work and that this has made him more efficient. Nick stated that he has been able to implement all the strategies in a useful way. We then discussed how Nick felt in terms of improvement in his job role and in himself. He stated that he feels a lot more efficient in his timing and organisation and that he feels a lot more confident in himself and his abilities.

Nick stated that he feels a lot more confident to take on new roles and challenge himself and be open to change; something which he believed he would not to be able to do before the sessions. We created goals for Nick to focus on moving forward such as creating resources he can use for processes, using the coping strategies in new situations, and challenging himself.

In Nick’s Words…

“I wish to provide some highly positive feedback, regarding the Work Coaching sessions I received from my tutor Rachel.

As an individual struggling with difficulties, relating to Dyslexia and ADHD, I initially experienced some feelings of uncertainty, regarding how the work coaching sessions might be helpful and how much impact they may be able to have for me, both personally and professionally.

However, from the outset, I felt instantly comfortable with Rachel and confident in her abilities to support me in developing coping strategies around my work as a therapist. At the start of the work, Rachel spent time helping me to identify my strengths and skills, which boosted my morale and instilled a feeling of hopefulness. Rachel continued to do this throughout the work. She celebrated by successes, achievements, and capabilities with me and helped me to build upon these as the work progressed.

She helped me to identify areas of difficulty, but did this in a way that felt non-stigmatizing and empowering. Rachel also helped me to “normalize” some of the difficulties which I experience, which has helped to boost my self-esteem and confidence.

Throughout the work, Rachel provided space for us to work in the way that felt most helpful for me. My brain does not work in a “vertical” way and I often find that I go off on “tangents”. Rachel embraced these “tangents” and helped me to make connections between the places my mind had gone and the information presented. This was extremely helpful in enabling me to absorb the information, relate it to my own experiences, and identify ways in which it may be utilized as a means to support me within my role. This is what accessibility looks like; working with clients’ individual needs and centering these within the delivery of services.

Upon finishing the work coaching sessions, I now feel that I have a broader and more effective range of coping strategies and feel much more confident within my role. Rachel has helped me to develop skills within; time management, organisation, planning, memory, and confidence, amongst others. As I write this, I notice that I am on track for completing my weekly tasks, even amongst a busy week, and have been able to allocate time to write this feedback; something I would have really struggled to do before the sessions with Rachel.

Aside from Rachel’s professionalism, knowledge, and broad skill set, something which particularly stood out to me is her demeanor. She is likable, relatable, and easy to talk to. This provided me with a sense of trust and enabled me to be open, honest, and vulnerable in sessions, which I feel deepened the work, which we were able to do.

I cannot speak highly enough of Rachel and thank her deeply for the service, support, and encouragement that she has provided.”