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

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2018: Celebrating Neurodivergent Uniqueness; You, Be You – The First Celebration of Neurodivergent Pride.

On June 18, 2018, the Netherlands celebrated its first Neurodiversity Pride Day, a pioneering event dedicated to neurodivergent pride, self-acceptance, and community. Hosted at the Rotterdam Science Tower, this inaugural celebration brought together neurodivergent individuals, their families, allies, and advocates in a day of powerful speeches, community activities, and meaningful discussions. Organized by the Neurodiversity Foundation, Neurodiversity Pride Day 2018 set a precedent for what would become an annual tradition, encouraging ALL neurodivergent individuals to embrace their unique strengths and contributions to society.

The Day’s Purpose: Embracing Pride, Challenging Stereotypes

Neurodiversity Pride Day was founded to provide a space for neurodivergent individuals to celebrate their identities with pride, moving away from traditional awareness campaigns that often focus on deficits or challenges. Inspired by the early years of Autistic Pride events, the Neurodiversity Foundation’s mission for this day was to foster pride, self-acceptance, and societal recognition for ALL neurodivergents. Neurodiversity Pride Day also served as a call to action, challenging stereotypes and urging society to recognize and appreciate neurodivergent individuals for their unique strengths and perspectives. Solidarity. Community. Fun. Self-acceptance. Pride. 

Key Highlights and Activities

The event featured a limited program designed to celebrate, educate, and connect participants. From inspiring speeches, lunch and the writing of “appreciation cards” to send to fellow NDs, Neurodiversity Pride Day 2018 hosted a small amount of activities aimed at promoting neurodiversity awareness and appreciation with the 50-80 people participating in our humble beginnings.

• Welcome Ceremony at Rotterdam Science Tower – Neurodiversity Pride Day was officially opened with a warm welcome at the Rotterdam Science Tower. Food and refreshments were available for attendees, creating a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere where people could relax, connect, and share experiences.
• Neurodiversity Address – The day’s central moment was the first Neurodiversity Address, aka “Neurodiversiteitsrede” in dutch, delivered by the Director of the Neurodiversity Foundation, and after it a talk from the Foundation’s Chairperson. The keynote speech, titled “A New Day,” emphasized the importance of neurodivergent pride, acceptance, and community. With, at the time, stirring lines like, “Diversity makes a team stronger, a nation stronger, and the world needs all kinds of minds to move forward,” the address inspired attendees to see their neurodivergent identities as sources of strength and resilience. It was a powerful call for recognition, unity, and self-acceptance, encouraging neurodivergent individuals to be proud of who they are.
• Technology and Innovation Showcase – The Foundation introduced attendees to innovative projects aimed at supporting neurodivergent individuals. These projects included a prototype of an autistic-friendly AI and early concepts for neurodivergent-friendly sign language, both designed to improve communication and self-management for neurodivergent individuals. These innovations underscored the Foundation’s commitment to creating tools that bridge gaps in understanding and enable neurodivergent people to connect with society more effectively.
• Community Discussions and Networking – Attendees participated in discussions and the event provided a platform for neurodivergent individuals and their families to meetup, share their experiences, discuss challenges, and celebrate successes. These discussions fostered a strong sense of community, allowing participants to find solidarity in shared experiences. Also participants where invited to write appreciation cards for their favorite neurodivergent in their life. 

The Neurodiversity Keynote: A New Day – A Vision for reclaiming a Neurodiverse Future

The Neurodiversity Address, delivered by Tjerk Feitsma and the Foundation’s Director, was a highlight of the day, calling for an end to stereotypes and urging society to recognize the potential in all neurotypes. Something, that the world would start celebrating every year, starting this day. In years to come, the annual keynote, became a tradition, inviting many daring pioneers to speak their minds, on this special day. Key themes from the first keynote included:

• Acceptance and Inclusion – The speech underscored the importance of creating a society that embraces all braintypes and values neurodivergent individuals for their unique contributions. Feitsma expressed the need for a “new wave of emancipation” for neurodivergent individuals, one that fosters a world where neurodiversity is respected and celebrated.
• Unity and Community – Neurodiversity Pride Day was a reminder of the power of community. Feitsma spoke about neurodivergent individuals as members of a larger “neurological family,” bound together by shared experiences and a common desire for acceptance.
• Innovation and Progress – The address celebrated the potential for innovation and discovery that neurodivergent individuals bring to society. Feitsma emphasized that neurodivergent minds are essential for tackling the world’s challenges, as they provide unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches.
• A Celebration of Uniqueness – With phrases like “We are here. We have a part in our story. Evolution brought us here, and we are proud of who we are,” the address was a rallying call for neurodivergent individuals to stand tall, free from judgment, and embrace their identities without hiding or masking.

A Legacy of Pride and Advocacy

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2018 established a foundation for future celebrations, with participants leaving feeling empowered and proud. The Neurodiversity Foundation set ambitious goals for the event’s future, aiming to reach more individuals each year and to create lasting impact by advocating for policies that support neurodivergent inclusion in workplaces, schools, and public life. But mostly, to keep this day for&by neurodivergents: “this is OUR day. And we will mark it every year”

By celebrating neurodiversity, Neurodiversity Pride Day 2018 inspired neurodivergent individuals to recognize the value of their unique perspectives and contributions. But the day, was still ‘small’ in its humble beginnings. The Foundation’s vision is to continue building this new pride movement annually, building a “ND Pride Team” and creating a world that honors all braintypes, celebrates neurodivergent strengths, and fosters inclusive environments across the Netherlands and beyond. What was created a first time, was to become a new wave of neurodivergent folks giving themselves permission on this special day, to access their own self-acceptance, joy, solidarity and fun, in spite of a society that pushed them to put on a mask. 

Core Principles of Neurodiversity Pride Day

The foundation of Neurodiversity Pride Day is built on three “rules” and three guiding principles. These ensure the day remains a celebration of neurodivergent identities while creating an inclusive and respectful space for all participants.

1. Celebrating Each Neurodivergent and All Neurotypes

Neurodiversity Pride Day was created by neurodivergents, for neurodivergents. The day is dedicated to celebrating the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of all neurotypes, from dyslexics and ADHDers to Tourettians and autistics. Spearheaded by the Neurodiversity Foundation, which acts as a central hub for organizers worldwide, the day encourages people to celebrate themselves and those around them, bringing together neurodivergent individuals across the globe.

2. Pride Stands Together

Neurodiversity Pride Day honors all neurodivergent experiences and stands independently from other pride movements, such as LGBTQIA+ Pride, Mad Pride, or Autistic Pride. Although inspired by these initiatives, ND Pride has a unique identity and vision. It supports and stands in solidarity with these movements but celebrates in its own distinct way, creating a day solely focused on the neurodivergent community and its many identities.

3. Made By and For Neurodivergents – All Are Welcome

ND Pride is designed and led by neurodivergents, welcoming anyone who supports neurodiversity. While the day centers on neurodivergent voices, neurotypical allies are encouraged to join the celebrations. All participants are invited to honor the “Three Rules” of the day: respect, inclusion, and support for neurodivergent-led activities. Non-profit community partners, as well as corporate allies committed to creating meaningful opportunities for neurodivergents, are welcomed as collaborators in spreading the ND Pride message.

Annual Keynote

Director Feitsma gave the annual keynote adress, at that time still known as the “Neurodiversiteitsrede”, of the 2018 edition. There are no recordings of this event. 

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