Accommodating Conflicting Support Needs in Inclusive Spaces.

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Here’s a problem: What happens if you are trying to create an inclusive space and accommodate everyone’s support needs, but the people you are trying to include have conflicting support needs? One of the things I’ve done with the church is consult with churches trying to be more accommodating to neurodiverse audiences. But what happens if you have a verbal processor, who needs to make comments out loud to retain information AND you have someone who needs a completely quiet environment to learn things? How do you accommodate both needs?

Inclusive spaces strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, including people with different support needs. However, accommodating conflicting support needs can be challenging. What happens when one person's need conflicts with another person's need? How can we create a space that supports everyone?

First, it's important to recognize that everyone has different support needs. Some people may need sensory accommodations, such as a quiet room or headphones, while others may need physical accommodations, such as an accessible entrance or seating. Some people may need emotional support, such as a listening ear or a calming space, while others may need cognitive support, such as written instructions or visual aids. These needs are all valid and should be respected.

One way to accommodate conflicting support needs is to create a variety of spaces that offer different accommodations. For example, you could have a quiet room for people who need sensory accommodations, a separate area for people who need emotional support, and a designated area for people who need physical accommodations. By providing a range of options, everyone can find a space that meets their needs.

Another way to accommodate conflicting support needs is to communicate openly and respectfully with others. If you notice that someone is experiencing a conflict or is uncomfortable, approach them calmly and ask if there's anything you can do to help. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask for it. By being open and respectful, you can create a space where people feel comfortable communicating their needs.

It's also important to have clear policies and guidelines in place that promote inclusion and respect. For example, you could have a code of conduct that outlines respectful behavior, or you could establish a system for reporting conflicts or concerns. By having clear policies and guidelines, you can create a culture of inclusivity and respect that supports everyone.

Finally, it's important to recognize that conflicting support needs may not always be able to be accommodated. In these cases, it's important to communicate openly and respectfully with everyone involved and try to find a compromise that meets the needs of as many people as possible. This may require some creative problem-solving, but it can be done.

Always remember to INCLUDE the people you are trying to accommodate as much as possible, never just assume what they need or don’t need. They are the experts in their disability, not you. I can’t tell you the amount of times someone has made a lateral decision on my behalf without asking me in an attempt to be accommodating to me, and it’s actually left me more ostracized and excluded from the community.

Accommodating conflicting support needs in inclusive spaces requires communication, respect, and creativity. By providing a variety of accommodations, communicating openly and respectfully, having clear policies and guidelines, and being willing to compromise, we can create a space that supports everyone.