The Neurodiverse City, led by Design Trust for Public Space, Verona Carpenter Architects, WIP collaborative, and a coalition of disability advocates, is reimagining New York City’s public spaces to better support neurodivergence.

Neurodivergent people – including those who are autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, ADHDers, or epileptic, as well as those with anxiety, depression, and PTSD – are often excluded from public space access because the planning and construction of our communities does not take into account the cognitive, sensory, and social variation inherent in our neurodiverse world.

Guided by extensive research, public space sensory audits, public surveys, and workshops with neurodivergent children, teenagers, adult self-advocates, as well as families and facilitators, the Neurodiverse City tested two prototypes for neuroinclusive design. WIP Collaborative partnered with AHRC to create a streetscape prototype, while Verona Carpenter Architects worked with NYC Public Schools and the Nest Program for autistic students on a sensory playscape for schoolyards. INCLUDEnyc, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Center for the Independence of the Disabled, PS42 Benjamin Altman, PS112 Jose Celso Barbosa, and an advisory committee of disability advocates and experts were integral co-creators of the  project’s process, community engagement, and site audits and pilot testing. 

Amassing a wealth of knowledge and lived experience on the disabling and enabling aspects of public spaces, the Neurodiverse City will release print copies of the new publication at a special NYCxDESIGN exhibition and prototype gallery Positive Exposure to share learnings and recommendations for future accessibility policy planning.

Download a digital version of the report here.

“Access to public space is essential to our health and well-being , said Matthew Clarke, Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space. “The Neurodiverse City recognizes how more inclusive design-thinking can make vital city infrastructure more welcoming to all New Yorkers.”

“Our work on inclusive playgrounds springs from the wisdom of a neurodiverse group of insightful and opinionated New York City kids. The business of making the city a more neuroinclusive place is serious – but it’s also really fun. This is a joyful proposition!” said Jennifer Carpenter and Irina Verona of Verona Carpenter Architects.

“Learning from the creativity of neurodivergent self-advocates shaped the project from start to finish — informing research methods and inspiring design outcomes. Working with a coalition of neurodivergent individuals and allies, designers, city agencies, and organizational partners broadened our understanding of what inclusive public spaces can be and how they could be realized,” said Lindsay Harkema and Bryony Roberts of WIP Collaborative.

“Making our public spaces neuroinclusive ensures that every New Yorker can participate fully in the life of our community,” said Bea de la Torre, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Trinity Church. “Neuroinclusive design makes our city more dynamic by allowing everyone the opportunity to embrace their full potential.”

“Being included in this collaborative process affirmed the importance of ensuring that every person has a voice in shaping the spaces where they live, gather, and connect, said Darinka Vlahek, Director of Program Services at AHRC New York City. “Contributions  of the neurodiverse community brought meaning, authenticity, and humanity to the design process, helping create a space inspired by those who will experience it every day.”

“INCLUDEnyc is proud to be an advisory committee member for the Neurodiverse City project that creates sensory-friendly public spaces across New York,” said Cheryelle Cruickshank, Executive Director at INCLUDEnyc.“This collaboration brings our vision of love, equity, and access one step closer to a reality for young people with disabilities and their families.”

“The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) is pleased to participate in this project,” said Sharon McLennon Wier, Ph.D., MSEd., CRC, LMHC, Executive Director of CIDNY. “This endeavor ensured that New York City contains recreational spaces that are accessible to all people including people with Neurodiverse disabilities. CIDNY’s mission is to ensure full integration, independence, and equal opportunity for all people with disabilities by removing barriers to the social, economic, cultural, and civic life of the community. Providing environments that are accessible to people with sensory integration needs further speaks to a more accessible city.”

“Designing cities with neurodiversity in mind strengthens public spaces for everyone," said Kim Kessler, Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "The City’s recently released Active Design Guidelines 2.0 emphasize equity and inclusive design as essential components of healthy communities, and we are proud to support work that helps reimagine how New Yorkers experience and move through the built environment.”

CARExDESIGN features NYCxDESIGN 2026 week exhibitions and programming about designing everyday lifestyle items, systems, public and private spaces with and for people with disabilities, including the Neurodiverse City. Explore more events happening this week here. 

The Neurodiverse City is supported by Trinity Church and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Neurodiverse City was a selected project of the Design Trust for Public Space’s 2021 Request for Proposals on the theme of health equity, Restorative City.