Timeline
Welcome to the Neurodiversity Foundation.

Welcome to the website of the Neurodiversity Foundation.  Most of our words on this site are in the english language, as a way to make sure most persons can understand us. On this page:

Vision
Mission
Simple Plan
Statutes
Projects
Initiatives
Office locations
Presentation
Funders
Logo and designfiles
Kvk number
Partner with us
Test our tech: for organizations
Test our tech: for individuals
Work with us
Contact us

The vision, mission, projects and initiatives

The Foundation has the goal; To create a society that works for all individuals regardless of their braintypes, we develop in projects, the tools, community, campaigns, researches and products, to enhance societal equality, social connections and cooperation between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, thereby supporting to move forward towards a neurodiverse society.

The Foundation will reach her goals by:

  1. research activities, production, innovation and distribution of projects that facilitate equality, self-management and effective joining for neurodivergents in the classroom, on the working space, in friendships, in groups in relationships and as individuals in society.
  2. campaigns of information that foster mutual understanding, curiosity and acceptable between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals,
  3. developing knowledge and tools for effective communication that take into consideration how communication and cooperation is enacted by neurodiverse individuals

Simple Plan

There are three parts to the plan:

  1. We build the technology that actually solves the problem.
  2. We distribute this to 10.000 dutch Neurodivergents.
  3. We distribute this to 10 million global users.

The Neurodiversity Foundation has 3 pillars of focus

  • Assistive Technology for neurodiverse communication: In the ATHENS initiative, its partners are creating the tools to facilitate communication by and cooperation in (neuro)diverse families with a messenger that supports basic gestures, basic signs, sentence-stepping and a team- or family-specific ‘secret’ motion-language for online and offline communication: Family Signs & Work Signs. The foundation aims to explore and research the possibility and implementation of a default motion-signalling language for online & offline use, in order to bridge the communicationgaps between neurotypes.
  • Awareness & Pride, for all neurodivergents: Neurodiversity information and support campaigns. Via video (Krachtig Anders video series), social media campaigns (accounts & influencers), games (neurodiverse traits quartet), workshops, and through politics (supporting neurodiverse friendly politicians with a Neuroinclusive Politician Award, and direct proposals). We show our pride, by organizing the National Neurodiversity Pride Day- run, each year on June 18th.
  • Education about the value of (neuro)diversity: My Amazing Brain – magazine, distribution and campaign to support neurodiverse friendly classrooms. Also, we created the Neurodiversity Education Academy with free courses, supported by apps. As well as webinars on the topic. Neurodiversity also maintains the Brainy App, which was build by our researchpartner 2Tango.

The Foundation has projects

  • Research for the Family Signs project
  • Neurodiversity Pride Day
  • Neurodiversity Education Academy
  • Brainy App & My Amazing Brain Magazine
  • Brain Awareness Week
  • Workshops & Webinars on diversity
  • Research for Signs for Schools project
  • Research for Signs for Work project
  • Research for the Together project

Research for the Family Signs Project:

The Family Signs research project is our largest project, and our biggest hope for fueling mutual understanding between persons of different neurotypes and communication preferences, on a worldwide scale.

* It includes the non-scientific research efforts and concepting of earlier prototypes and ideas, that supports our projectpartner, the dutch, social impact company 2Tango into making “Signs”. This is a real product for people to use, in order for them to be understood better by others, and thereby bridging the gap between different neurotypes. Our first focus is supporting the handsign-messenger for families. Our longterm focus is neurodiverse translation, through a semi-universal sign language, communicable via a digital messenger. 2Tango is founded, for the same reason as the foundation, but is capable of bringing ideas into reality by building the apps & tools that directly support  our mission. The cooperation is called ‘the Assistive Tech Hub Enhancing a Neurodiverse Society’, or ‘Athens Initiative’. 

Statutes

In transparancy, we publish our full statutes & boardmembership publicly:

Presentation of the ATHENS Initiative 

Investors

We are appreciative to the choice of our investors to fund our research efforts and productional efforts, for both the foundation and its app-making partner 2Tango, and hereby mention specifically:

  • Cor Wit Fund: Funding for the research projects  for the Neurodiversity Foundation.

We seek more funding to continue or complete our research, projects and products. For tips, talks or introductions to people that may wish to support our dream or technology, send a mail to tjerk@neurodiversiteit.nl.

Locations

We are based in the Netherlands and have offices in Rotterdam and Amstelveen. Please contact us, if you wish to meet us.

  • Main office: tiengemeten 131, 1181 CS, Amstelveen
  • Rotterdam office: Due to Corona, its temporarily shutdown.

Logo & Designfiles

These are the rainbow colors of the Neurodiversity Foundation. They are similar but different from the rainbows of other Diversity & Pride groups.

This is the design guide of the Neurodiversity Foundation. They are the core, upon which we will add new variations to suit our goals.

KVK number

  • Our Chambre of Commerce number is: 71010025
  • Bank account used by the foundation: NL02INGB0007727974

Partner with us

The Neurodiversity Foundation is on the very innovative edge of assistive technology. We love working with likeminded groups, individuals and organizations. And we see many having a similar wish for this world, as the one fueling our passion. For those wishing for a more inclusive world, embracing all types of minds, we believe that we are here to actually solve the problem, not just talk about it, if you do too: Work with us, for us, or team up in our research efforts. This can be via partnership in the ATHENS Initiative, via a shared research unit, or with the foundation directly. For more information, email us at info@neurodiversiteit.nl.

Test our technology with us: for organizations

Mutual understanding is productive and preferable to confusion and social politics. Our aim is to level the playing field, and thereby effortlessly unlocking the value of neurodiversity in the workplace.

Note: All tools are heavily geared towards personal privacy, encrypted, gdpr proof, and since all data is decentralised, it cannot be used for monitoring, tracking or any usecase other than supporting the neurodivergent workforce and their company leaders to communicate and cooperate more effectively. 

Test our technology with us: for individuals

If you want to become a tester, please send an email to info@neurodiversiteit.nl.

Work for us

The Neurodiversity Foundation has the capacity to host interns. Soms work at the office, some do their own research externally, all are curious, clever or crafty, all work hard in their own field, and are selected for the motivation and capacity to create impact. If you fit this profile, email us why we would love to have you at info@neurodiversiteit.nl.

HBO/WO (academic and professional) -level

  • Speech Therapy (logopedie): You will support the Signs project, forging an autism friendly sign language, to match our tech.
  • Behavorial Psychology: You will support the improvements of the Learner project, coupling solutions with personal states and contexts.
  • Data driven Psychology: You will support the development of Family Signs, modelling in Signs translation.
  • Data science: You will support the build, tuning of models and allround technical issues enhancing the virtual assistant.
  • Experts of neurodiversity: You will provide advice, reseach, or support the testing phases of the solutions we are building.
  • Financial Management: You will support the administrative division in automating and optimizing the organization.

HBO/MBO professional and practical level

  • Event organizer: You will support organizing the Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 in 16 cities in the Netherlands
  • Event manager: You will support organizing the activities on Brain Awareness Week and Autism Week in the Netherlands
  • Visual designer: You will support the creation of visuals, video’s, images, animations needed for the classroom project, pride day projects, website, information leaflets and social media.
  • Experts of neurodiversity: You will be an ambassador, provide communication and feedback, and support the testing of the solutions.

Contact

If you want to send us a message, these are some of your options:
1) fill the contactform on this website.
2) send us an email to:  info@neurodiversiteit.nl
3) send a mail to our crewmembers:

4) send a message via linkedin: Linkedin CEO  Tjerk
5) send a call-me-back text message to our phone, explaining who you are and why you want to be called back: 06-14034299

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2020 – Update

Neurodiversity Pride Day - dag van de neurodiversiteit 18 Juni

Op Neurodiversity Pride Day, op 18 Juni 2020, vierden we ons eigen feestje. We vieren, ieder op onze eigen manier, dat we als samenleving groeien naar een maatschappij die de waarde steeds meer inziet van elk neurotype, en waardering voelt voor onze diversiteit onderling. We vieren dat we ons trots mogen voelen over ons anders-zijn en hoe wij een bijdrage zijn in een wereld vol mensen met verschillende breinen. Solo, of samen; we vierden ons eigen feestje!

Dit deden we samen, met 1340 Nederlandse deelnemers en ruim 150 internationale gasten: de grootste Neurodiversity Pride Day ooit gehouden. We hebben nu al zin in de volgende editie!

De meeste inhoud van de activiteiten staan nog online, zoals de Growth Through Adversity Talks, de Divergent Interviews of de Neurodiversiteitsrede: Click here, to go to the Neurodiversity Pride Day page

Meer lezen:

Op 18 Juni was Neurodiversity Pride Day (nl) en het was met ruim 1500 deelnemers “het grootste online pride event gehouden in 1 land” buiten de Gay Prides van de LGTBQ community. We zijn dankbaar en blij met de aandacht, en zijn vastbesloten hier komende jaar nog groter mee uit te pakken. Met o.a. nieuwe aandacht voor de neuro-inclusieve politicus award, de spotlights voor neurodivergente dichters en kunstenaars, nieuwe talks met experts, pride collages, een Wall of Inclusion, een neurodance, en (onder voorbehoud) wellicht wel het eerste grote meetup-activiteit van Neurodivergent nederland.

De populairste activiteiten van de 2020 editie waren de Divergent Interviews, waar 75% van de deelnemers meeluisterden. Meer dan de helft keek ook bij de nieuwe Brainy app, die direct ook geïnstalleerd werd bij bijna 100 personen. Ongeveer 200 mensen waren geïnteresseerd in de cursussen van de Neurodiversity Education Academy. Er waren 115 ‘Pride Framers’. De Growth Through Adversity Talks werd gevolgd door 100 deelnemers, en ook de Neurodiversiteitsrede werd live meegekeken door 75 personen. Activiteiten die net iets minder digitale deelnemers trokken, zoals de podcast, Together meetup-maker betatesting, de webinar en de workshop waren allen aan het einde van de dag, of deden aan voorinschrijving voor deelnemers.
Naast het programma zelf zijn er ook tientallen, en wellicht wel honderden neurodivergenten die, buiten onze events en activiteiten om, op deze dag zich publiekelijk hebben uitgesproken voor hun eigen neurodiverse trots. En ieder op zijn eigen manier. Dit vertoon van moed, geeft ons hoop, het geeft ons licht, en het toont ons waarvoor we het doen, terwijl we de weg omploegen richting de toekomst. Een toekomst, waarin er ruimte is voor de meerwaarde van elk neurotype in onze maatschappij. Een toekomst, waarin iedereen trots mag zijn op zijn unieke bijdrage aan de wereld. Een toekomst die door dagen als de Neurodiversity Pride Day, telkens een onweerlegbaar stukje dichterbij komen.

En dat is reden voor feest: 18 Juni 2021, Neurodiversity Pride Day Nederland. Dit is je uitnodiging, en ja, met een vol hart en een bijzonder brein, vieren we dan weer, ons eigen feestje.

Pride Day Program 2021

nl_NL_formal Nederlands (Formeel)
nl_NL_formal Nederlands (Formeel)

Neurodiversity Pride Day is the global celebration of neurodivergence: the added value of having people with different types of minds. Its organized every year on June 18th to support acceptance, inclusion and appreciation in society of people who are most unlike most others. On Neurodiversity Pride Day, you are invited to celebrate you being you, in all your unique ways. Well done, you!

The day is een reminder, a celebration of your own unique brain, and how it benefits the world around you. Autistic, Dyslectic, Neurotypical, these are just some shapes of the neurological variances we have to each other. None are errors, all contribute to our human society. In humanity, there are no mistakes, only variations. Each brain, each person, adds something uniquely beautiful to our human collective. And this idea, the idea of neurodiversity, deserves a spotlight, and a day of celebration, for its our differences, our unlikeness to each other, that ups the vitality of society. We all have something unique and awesome to contribute, and on this day neurodivergent people and their allies celebrate!

There are fun, serious and interesting activities organized in the Netherlands and worldwide, but most importantly: this is the day where you can party or honor your brainy self or your likeminded others, solo or with others, in whatever way works for you. Or as we’d say in Dutch: Vier Je Eigen Feestje!

Each June 18th, neurodivergents & their allies, celebrate Neurodiversity.
This, is your invitation, to celebrate, your own way, in your own way.
The times mentioned for each activity, may change, upon practical needs.

Neurodiversity Pride Day – Program 2021 – 18 June

At June 18 2021 the Neurodiversity Pride Day is organized in the Netherlands. The program for the day is still in the making, but we wanted to share some of the main projects and activities for the day.

Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 9:00

Pride Frame:
We will release a Neurodiversity Pride Frame for social media. Its a easy, fun way, to show others your inclusion or allyship. Read about 2020 Pride Frame Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 10:00

Neuroinclusive Politician Award 2021-2023:
Who will win: Peter, Lisa, Sylvana, Lilianne, Rugter oe Rudmer? A winner is selected for the award by a secret neurodivergent jury. Interview with nominees Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - All Day

You:
For neurodivergents: Remember today, what you are proud for. And if you are neurotypical: share with a neurodivergent friend or loved-one what makes them awesome to you.
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 13:00

Growth Through Adversity talks:
We will invite national and international experts for a conversation about the current state of neurodiverse individuals. The talks will be shared, after Pride Day, by the NE Academy.
See the 2020 Talks Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 14:00

NE Academy – Online Pride Day Summit:
The Neurodiversity Education Academy organizes an online summit, to make sure we can be together, even if covid limits our ability to be physically together. Go To NE Academy Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 15:00

Neurodivergents Poets showcase:
We want to share 10 poems by dutch neurodivergent poets
Nominate Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 16:00

Neurodivergent Artists showcase:
We want to share 10 pieces of art, made by dutch neurodivergent artists Nominate Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 17:00

Neurodiversiteitsrede:
We will hold the annual speech of the year, delivered by a pioneer in their field, and broadcast it live. See 2019 Edition See 2020 Edition Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 19:00

Neurodiversity Pride Anthem:
A special new rendition of our themesong is composed in the Netherlands by a famous techno DJ and his musical team. Hear the original Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 20:00

Neurodiversity Pride Party (online):
DJs will perform a disco online, for people wanting to dance in celebration, from the safety of their homes, using their desktops or mobiles. Dancing from home – Zoom Link Here DJ Dancing Link here
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 09:00-22:00

Pridefee for Insta:
share your own #weareallnuts picture. Be creative! Upload it to the socials with the hashtag. For extra glam: You may also use the two 100m2 billboards in Schiphol Airport & Amsterdam Leidseplein, as a visual backdrop. #Weareallnuts examples Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 21:00

Release of the Neurodiverse Traits Game:
This kwartet game (‘go fish’), has 4 positive traits for 9 neurotypes in the game to play. Its designed and crafted by Marieke, and supported by Stijn Schenk, and the foundation. Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - All Day

Add your activity:
If you want to organize an activity to celebrate the day by yourself, with your organization, or group of friends, do so! Add you own Pride Activity to the program
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021 - 23:59

Countdown:
Our friends at ADHD Cafe, are counting down the month in content posts. Countdown resets, at 23:59 for Pride Day 2022!
Read the 2020 Countdown Check it out
Neurodiversity Pride Day 2021

Synaesthesia Room:
In Rotterdam, this immersive artwork by Valeria Perboni, will be showcased live for a lucky few!
Read about the Synaesthesia Room Check it out

Neurodiversity Education Academy

NE Academy

We have build an educational platform focused on awareness, advocacy and capacity building for parents and schools: the Neurodiversity Education Academy.

The vision of the ‘NE Academy’ is, a society that recognizes the importance of neurodiversity and amplifies the strengths as well as provides accessibility to all neurotypes.

  • We believe that it is crucial for society to create neurodiverse friendly homes and schools that support all neurotypes. 
  • We dream of a world where representation is omnipresent. A place where a neurodivergent child can find and connect with wonderful role models, of people who leveraged their differences and succeeded. 
  • We believe that achieving this vision is a process, a journey if you will, and those willing to set out will need good guides, spaces to rest and reflect and good information about where they are going and what is possible.

What do we provide?

  • Self paced online training, 
  • More extensive time bound courses with live sessions, 
  • Live online workshops talks or interviews, single or in a conference bundle (i.e. during Brain Awareness week and on & around Neurodiversity Pride day)
  • Replay bundles of old workshops or online conferences
  • Bespoke sessions for your team with practice based Q&A sessions at the end
  • Downloadable tools and resources 

Where can I start?

Mission

The aim of our mission is to eventually build the Neurodiversity into a broad range of courses and workshops aimed at diverse target groups. We aim to build our courses on the combination of 

  • The work international experts and their evidence based practices 
  • Best practices from everyday practitioners in the target groups area of expertise
  • The combined experience of neurodivergent people with hands on experience on what works.

We want to offer a wide range of introductory courses for free as we believe everyone should have access to information that can make the world more neurodiverse friendly. At the same time we want to support our (often themselves neurodivergent) content creators in making a living off their work, so we will also offer paid courses. 

Team

Cofounders of the NE Academy are Lana Jelenjev & Saskia Wenniger. Read more about them on the NE Academy website.

Join us in sharing knowledge

If you are an experts in ‘education’, ‘neurodiversity’, ‘inclusive teaching methods’, we might want to host your wisdom to the many others seeking it. If you are interested in creating a free course: contact us, we will want to talk with you! Next to free courses, there are also opportunities for paid courses to support your income.

Support us with a donation, on our donation page

Neuroinclusieve Politicus Award van 2021

Wie zijn de politici die opkomen voor neurodivergente Nederlanders?

Neuro Inclusieve Politicus Award neurodivers-vriendelijke
NIP AWARD 2021 Poster

Sommige politici geven ons hoop, voor een toekomst waarin ruimte is voor iedereen. Deze politieke strijders verdienen daarvoor erkenning van de ruim 1 miljoen Nederlandse Neurodivergente stemmers: Elke 2 jaar, wordt een held gekozen, die zich dermate heeft ingezet voor neurodivergente nederlanders in de politiek, dat deze persoon volgens een neurodivergente jury, de award verdiend van Neuroinclusieve Politicus van Nederland. 

Op Valentijnsdag is bekend gemaakt welke politici genomineerd zijn voor hun positieve bijdrage. Genomineerd zijn: Peter Kwint (SP), Sylvana Simons (Bij1), Lilianne Ploumen (PvdA), Rugter Schonis (D66) en Rudmer Heerema (VVD).  Op 18 Juni 2021, op Neurodiversity Pride Day, wordt bekend gemaakt welke politicus de award gewonnen heeft.

Over de Award:

De award word georganiseerd omdat er politici zijn waarvoor we extra dankbaar mogen zijn, omdat zij zich aantoonbaar inzetten voor een neurodiversvriendelijke maatschappij waarin er ruimte is voor iedereen, ongeacht met welk breintype je geboren bent. Zij geven ons een perspectief op een inclusieve maatschappij. Dat staat ook los van welke kleur of ideologie een politiek partij heeft; in bijna elke onderzochte politieke partij lopen er mensen rond die zich op hun eigen manier inzetten voor neurodivergente Nederland in de politiek.

Stemadvies

Op 14 Februari 2021 kwam deze lijst officieel online: vier weken voor de Tweede Kamer verkiezingen.  Na 14 Februari blijven we informatie delen over de inzet van deze 5 genomineerde politici. Zij hebben zichzelf getoond als neurodivers-vriendelijk (en ons stemadvies is daarom: deze 6 politici mogen serieus overwogen worden als optie voor je Tweede Kamer stem!). Partijen die in het onderzoek zijn genomen: alle zittende partijen, aangevuld met Codeoranje en Bij1. 

De genomineerden voor de Neuroinclusieve Politicus Award 2021

(in willekeurige volgorde)

Rudmer Heerema (VVD): De politieke strijder voor hoogbegaafde kinderen:

NIP AWARD - Rudmer Heerema - VVD
NIP AWARD – Rudmer Heerema – VVD

Peter Kwint (SP): De politieke strijder voor de underdogs

NIP AWARD - Peter Kwint - SP
NIP AWARD – Peter Kwint – SP

Rutger Schonis – De politieke strijder voor de menselijke maat

NIP AWARD - Rutger Schonis - D66
NIP AWARD – Rutger Schonis – D66

Sylvana Simons (Bij1); De politieke strijder voor gelijkwaardigheid

NIP AWARD - Sylvana Simons - Bij1
NIP AWARD – Sylvana Simons – Bij1

Lilianne Ploumen: Genomineerde NIP Award

NIP AWARD - genomineerde Liliane Ploumen - PVDA
NIP AWARD – genomineerde Liliane Ploumen – PVDA

De genomineerden stellen zich in korte interviews voor aan de neurodivergente kiezers, dit is ook te volgen via o.a. facebook.com/neurodiversiteit. Informatie over de procedure kunt u hier lezen. 

Over de vorige winnaar: Lisa Westerveld – De politiek strijder voor ongehoorde jongeren

Winnaar NIP Award 2019&2020 – Lisa Westerveld

In de afgelopen 2 jaar, was deze award toegekend aan Lisa Westerveld, die als Tweede Kamerlid actief is namens Groen-Links. Zij heeft vele malen zich publiekelijk uitgesproken en politiek ingezet om de belangen van ongehoorde jongeren te laten horen in de Tweede Kamer. Zij heeft dingen aangekaart, waarvan wij hoopten dat die bekend mochten worden in Den Haag. Ze gaf ons hoop, en wij zijn haar dankbaar voor haar werk, haar moed, en haar tomeloze branie om eerlijkheid en rechtvaardigheid te bewerkstelligen voor de ongehoorde jongeren.

Autism proposals for the Tweede Kamer - with Lisa Westerveld, Saskia Buma, Tjerk Feitsma and Merlijn Goldsack