What happened during Neurodiversity Pride Day & ND Pride Celebrations 2021?

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021: Celebrate Who You Are – An Immersive Celebration in the Pride Universe

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 was a unusual celebration of neurodivergent identity, inclusion, and creativity. This year, the ND Pride Team launched the Pride Universe for the Neurodiverse, a virtual 3D world that allowed participants from around the globe to connect, learn, and celebrate in an interactive digital space. Designed to accommodate up to 3,000 participants, with the largest VR dancing room in ‘the world’, the Pride Universe featured 10 uniquely themed rooms, each offering a unique experience aimed at fostering community and pride within the neurodivergent community. Also, for the very first time, we organized a 4 hour online (and virtual!) Neurodance, with DJ’s playing their best tunes, for those dancing from home. 

Exploring the Pride Universe: Themed Rooms for Every Interest

Each room within the Pride Universe provided a dedicated space for participants to explore different facets of neurodivergent identity, advocacy, and creativity. Here’s a look at the 10 rooms that made this virtual celebration truly special:

1. Introduction Room (Neurodi.Verse) – The first stop in the Pride Universe, this room welcomed participants with a “Pridefee,” introductory images, and instructions for navigating the virtual world. Designed to orient and excite, the Introduction Room set the tone for the day, offering easy access to all other rooms and showcasing the program highlights.
2. Keynote Room – This room hosted the Neurodiversity Address, where neurodiversity advocate Judy Singer, the originator of the term “neurodiversity,” shared an inspiring keynote. The address focused on te origins of the Neurodiversity movement. The Keynote Room provided a profound start to the day’s Virtual Reality festivities.
3. Talks Room – Featuring the Growth Through Adversity Talks, the Talks Room presented powerful interviews with neurodivergent speakers, including Amanda Kirby, Rachel Worsley, and Siobhan Lamb. These sessions provided insights into personal growth, resilience, and thriving as a neurodivergent individual, creating a strong sense of community and inspiration.
4. Party Room – Combining several celebration spaces, the Party Room was the heart of the festivities. Here, participants could:
   • Join the Virtual Dance Party with DJs from the Netherlands spinning live music for neurodivergent individuals to dance, relax, and celebrate together.
   • Enjoy Neurodivergent Memes created by community members, adding humor and relatability to the event.
   • Explore the Hall of Heroic Advocates, with images of prominent neurodivergent figures such as Steve Silberman, Temple Grandin, and Greta Thunberg.
   • Learn about Neurodiversity Celebration Days, like Autism Acceptance Month and Mad Pride Day, honoring significant dates for neurodivergent visibility.
5. You Room – A tranquil, meditative space designed for self-reflection, the You Room provided a quiet retreat for participants to unwind and connect with their inner selves. Inspired by the cosmos, this galaxy-themed room encouraged a calm atmosphere, allowing visitors to pause and take a breather amidst the day’s excitement.
6. Award Room – Dedicated to recognizing leaders in neurodiversity advocacy, the Award Room showcased recorded speeches from notable neurodiversity-supportive politicians, including Sylvana Simons and Peter Kwint. The Neuro-Inclusive Politician Award was an important feature of the room, honoring individuals who have made meaningful contributions to neurodiversity awareness and inclusion.
7. Art Expo Room – This virtual gallery showcased the works of neurodivergent artists and poets, displaying artworks alongside the names and portraits of the creators. The Art Expo Room highlighted the creativity within the neurodivergent community, providing a platform for artists and poets to express themselves and be celebrated.
8. Friends Room – Featuring an array of organizations supporting neurodivergent communities, the Friends Room included names like Impuls & Woortblind, Specialisterren, and NeuroClastic. Participants could learn about these organizations, fostering connections with groups dedicated to neurodiversity support and advocacy.
9. Talents Room (Hall of Neurodiverse Traits) – A gallery dedicated to showcasing the unique strengths and characteristics of neurodivergent individuals, the Talents Room featured educational images on different neurodiverse traits. This room offered an insightful look into the diverse talents within the neurodivergent community, promoting understanding and appreciation of varied neurotypes.
10. Education Room – In partnership with the Neurodiversity Education Academy, the Education Room hosted workshops and discussions on topics relevant to neurodivergent individuals. Sessions focused on practical skills, self-acceptance, mental health, and workplace inclusion, creating an empowering environment for learning and personal growth.

Virtual Festivities Beyond the Pride Universe

In addition to the immersive experience within the Pride Universe, Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 featured other interactive and social media activities:

• Activities in 6 countries. While we are homebound due to the pandemic, there were celebrations in 6 nations, doubling the number from last year. Indonesia and the Phillipines were amongst the new celebrating nations. 

• Social Media Actions: Participants shared their experiences, artwork, and messages of support with the hashtag #NeurodiversityPrideDay, helping to spread awareness and pride across global networks.
• Pride Framers: Customizable frames for social media profiles allowed participants to express pride in their neurodivergent identities, creating a unified visual theme on social platforms.
• Neuroinclusive politician award: The second NIP Award was received by the winner Sylvana Simons, a politician with visionairy work on a national scale. Read more about it on the NIP Award page of the Neurodiversity Foundation. 

Vision for the Future of Neurodiversity Pride

The success of the Pride Universe for the Neurodiverse demonstrated the potential for Neurodiversity Pride Day to become a truly global celebration with 6 countries joining in. The ND Pride Team, created by the Neurodiversity Foundation envisions future editions reaching even more countries, with plans to establish Neurodiversity Pride Day as an officially recognized event worldwide. 

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 marked a significant milestone in the journey toward broader acceptance and celebration of neurodivergent identities. Through innovation, community support, and a strong commitment to inclusion, the team is paving the way for a future where neurodivergent individuals are celebrated and valued across the globe, in a non-profit, “by us & for us” type of mood. 

Annual Keynote

Judy Singer, the person who coined the term “neurodiversity”, gave the annual keynote adress of the 2021 edition.

Find out more about the event