The Neurodiversity Campaign is a collaboration between Accommodations and Accessibility Services Counselor, Susie Ko and Communication Studies Assistant Professor, Melissa Chabot. This communication campaign has the goal of bringing awareness of  neurodiversity on our NOVA Campuses, and to create a space that respects our neurodiverse students, staff, and faculty as the key purveyors of knowledge about their experiences. 

The principle of diversity provides the foundation to accept disability as part of human variation. Social structures and policies restricting or ignoring the rights of people with disabilities often lead to discrimination and exclusion. Neurodiversity is a normal variation of the human experience. With this belief, individuals will be treated humanely, and with more understanding of different ways of learning and experiencing the world.

Imagine a NOVA that celebrates neurodiversity

Imagine a NOVA campus atmosphere where students who learn differently can be recognized for their strengths. Imagine a NOVA student who identifies as neurodiverse, finds a community that understands and supports their goal of attaining a degree. Imagine an autistic student, walking through campus to attend a speaking event with an autistic individual who shares their experiences. Imagine a NOVA student struggling with a learning disability, on their way to an executive functioning workshop focused on students with similar challenges. Imagine an instructor, walking through campus, seeing awareness of their own neurodiversity recognized through this campaign.

Imagine our community of students, staff, and faculty, walking through campus, recognizing the important role each of us plays in our community. We envision a NOVA campus that supports and creates space for neurodiverse students to be successful in our college community.