In Switzerland, many neurodivergent individuals are confronted with barriers that limit their full participation in society. Disenfranchisement is not limited to the loss of voting rights – it also includes exclusion from education, employment, healthcare, and public life. Despite growing awareness and progress, many neurodivergent individuals still experience misunderstanding and marginalization, which increases the risk of social and economic exclusion.
A major reason for this is that many institutions continue to operate based on norms built around neurotypical minds. This can lead to unfair treatment or a lack of adequate accommodations in schools, workplaces, and public services. Reducing the risk of disenfranchisement requires more than good intentions – it needs transparency, understanding, concrete action, and structural change.
First, it is essential to recognize neurodivergence for what it truly is: not a deficit, but a natural variation in how humans process sensory input, think, and behave. Untangling neurodivergence from harmful and outdated stereotypes plays a key role in creating more inclusive societies.
Furthermore, accessibility needs to be improved. Most systems – learning material, administrative forms, meetings, legal procedures, etc. – were designed around neurotypical minds. For many neurodivergent individuals, these systems are overwhelming. They often need clarity, flexibility, straightforward communication, and sensory-friendly environments. Adapting systems to reflect these needs and offering adequate accommodations is essential for equal access.
Additionally, representation matters. Neurodivergent people must be actively involved in decisions that affect their lives, whether in policy-making, advocacy, or the design of inclusive systems. Listening to neurodivergent voices is highly important, as their lived experience is central to creating inclusive environments that work for everyone.
Finally, support must be proactive. Early intervention, tailored education, inclusive hiring, and accessible systems can reduce the risk of isolation, mental health struggles, and unemployment among neurodivergent individuals. Switzerland has a strong base of rights and democratic values. To fully include neurodivergent individuals, these values must extend into everyday life. Inclusion is not charity – it is the backbone of a productive and thriving society, in which everyone has a voice and matters. Reducing the risk of disenfranchisement for neurodivergent individuals means actively breaking down the barriers that prevent full participation in education, work, healthcare, and public life. The goal is to not only make space, but to ensure that neurodivergent individuals have the same opportunity to contribute their unique strengths to society.