WE ROAR Magazine issue 04 - Magazine - Page 14
DESIGNING WITH
THE SENSES IN MIND
frequently inaccessible, overstimulating, and
unsupportive.
Sensory
overload,
social
misunderstandings,
and
unaccommodating
systems were regular occurrences, leaving us,
and so many others, feeling excluded.
At ZoneND, our journey started with one simple
yet powerful goal: to make inclusion the
heartbeat of every community, workplace,
education and public space. As founders, we
share a deeply personal connection to this
mission. Being neurodivergent ourselves and
parents of neurodivergent children, we have lived
through the daily barriers that neurodivergent
individuals face—barriers that are often invisible
to others but deeply impact everyday
experiences.
This led to one defining realisation: environments
must be designed with the senses in mind—not
just for the majority but for the whole spectrum of
neurodivergent thinkers. That’s when we decided
to act, founding ZoneND in 2023.
What ignited our passion for change?
Our approach is guided by empathy and lived
experience. We don’t just focus on surface-level
solutions or design elements that look good. We
dig deeper—into understanding sensory needs,
triggers,
space
and
the
unique
ways
neurodivergent individuals interact with spaces
It was the frustration and isolation we felt when
we saw how environments designed without
neurodivergent sensory needs in mind that made
it difficult for people like our children and us to
thrive. Traditional spaces—whether in education
facilities, workplaces, or public places—are
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