The Neurodiverse City has launched two public surveys to gather input from neurodivergent populations around public space access in New York City and beyond.

Streetscapes Survey | Playgrounds Survey

Does a noisy street, lack of shade, social anxiety, or other sensory overload affect your enjoyment of a public space?

Led by the Design Trust for Public Space, Verona Carpenter Architects, WIP Collaborative, and a network of disability advocates, the  “The Neurodiverse City,” aims to reimagine New York City’s public spaces — streets, playgrounds, plazas, and more — to better support neurodivergent people, including people with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyspraxia, dyslexia, intellectual disabilities, and mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 

This fall, the Neurodiverse City is conducting sensory audits and design-imagining workshops at two public space sites with neurodivergent communities to develop public pilot prototypes that showcase more inclusive urban planning practices and support the greatest range of physical and neurological differences. 

Additionally, two online surveys are now available to the general public to contribute a wider range of lived experiences:

• Playgrounds for All is a survey designed for families and caregivers to help make playgrounds work better for all children, including children with special education services (IEP), medical accommodations (Section 504 Plan), disability services at school or home, or who identify as neurodivergent.

• New York City Streets is open to individuals who identify as neurodivergent and live in New York City to survey the enabling and disabling aspects of average streetscapes.