--- title: Empowering neurodiversity and disability in the water industry description: Empowering neurodivergent and disabled people in the water industry often involves making small changes that result in significant, positive impacts. 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These changes can help neurodivergent and disabled individuals thrive in the water industry. Melissa Katon presented on this topic at the recent AWA NSW State Conference in Albury, winning top paper. The presentation explored what neurodiversity and disability entails and provided practical tips on how to support our neurodivergent and disabled colleagues. ![Mel Katon_Sydney Water_Best Paper NSW Conference](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Mel%20Katon_Sydney%20Water_Best%20Paper%20NSW%20Conference.jpg?width=300&height=225&name=Mel%20Katon_Sydney%20Water_Best%20Paper%20NSW%20Conference.jpg) #### What is neurodiversity? According to Harvard Health, neurodiversity refers to the concept that people experience the world in different ways, categorised as different "neurotypes." The term "neurodivergent" is used to describe individuals with a neurotype that diverges from what is considered typical. For example, an autistic person would be considered neurodivergent. Conversely, those who do not have a neurodivergent neurotype are considered "neurotypical." ![neurodivergent_umbrella](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/neurodivergent_umbrella.jpg?width=500&height=500&name=neurodivergent_umbrella.jpg) #### What is disability? Melissa Katon used the medical versus social model of disability to explain the concept. The medical model views disability as a condition that results in limitations or barriers due to the condition itself. On the other hand, the social model posits that disability is only disabling when society fails to accommodate it. For example, needing glasses would have been considered disabling a thousand years ago when they were not available, but today, it is not viewed as a disability. #### Why support disabled and neurodivergent people in the water industry? Neurodivergent individuals often think differently and can offer unique solutions to problems – solutions that might not occur to others. However, these voices need to be heard and supported to make an impact. According to statistics from VicWater, 6.3% of water industry employees identify as having a disability, which translates to roughly 1 in 16 people. This means you may already be working with disabled or neurodivergent colleagues, and providing support can make a significant difference. Often, all it takes is a small change. #### Reasonable adjustments These small changes are known as "reasonable adjustments", which involve modifying working conditions to help disabled and neurodivergent employees perform their roles effectively. Examples include allowing flexible work patterns (such as more or less work from home), providing a consistent workspace to reduce stress, permitting the use of noise-cancelling headphones to minimise distractions, creating professional networks where neurodivergent and disabled employees can advocate for change at an organisational level, and providing stim toys to help regulate the nervous system and maintain focus during meetings. #### Where to from here? If you want to get involved, [WaterAble](http://waterable.com.au) is a network for disabled and neurodivergent employees in the water industry. [Aspect](http://aspect.org.au) is also an NSW based resource for autistic people. [Neurodiversity Resources For Employers](https://www.neurodiversityhub.org/resources-for-employers) can also be found here. [ Disability ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/disability) [ WaterAble ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/waterable) [ neurodiversity ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/neurodiversity) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=Empowering%20neurodiversity%20and%20disability%20in%20the%20water%20industry&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/empowering-neurodiversity-and-disability-in-the-water-industry) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/empowering-neurodiversity-and-disability-in-the-water-industry) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/empowering-neurodiversity-and-disability-in-the-water-industry) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/empowering-neurodiversity-and-disability-in-the-water-industry) ## RELATED NEWS [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/20240307_123914.jpg?width=352&name=20240307_123914.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/neurodiversity-in-the-water-sector-workshop) ### [ Neurodiversity in the Water Sector Workshop - Current Initiatives ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/neurodiversity-in-the-water-sector-workshop) Justin Matters Last week, attendees gathered to hear those with lived experiences of neurodiversity and participated in a workshop to facilitate… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/neurodiversity-in-the-water-sector-workshop) [![Neurodivergent individuals can possess distinct skills](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/artificial-intelligence-4389372_1280.jpg?width=352&name=artificial-intelligence-4389372_1280.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/neurodiversity-the-untapped-solution-to-the-future-of-the-water-industry) ### [ Neurodiversity: The untapped solution to the future of the water industry ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/neurodiversity-the-untapped-solution-to-the-future-of-the-water-industry) Daniel Visser, Andrew Eddy, Sophie Barton The water sector in Australia is facing a skills shortage and an aging workforce, hindering its ability to address pressing water… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/neurodiversity-the-untapped-solution-to-the-future-of-the-water-industry) [![](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-1367970704.jpg?width=352&name=GettyImages-1367970704.jpg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/the-challenges-of-engineering-with-adhd) ### [ The challenges of engineering with ADHD ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/the-challenges-of-engineering-with-adhd) Jonathan Bradley For Ian Spruce, a Principal Process Engineer with engineering consultancy SMEC, being diagnosed with attention deficit… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/the-challenges-of-engineering-with-adhd) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. 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