Neuroinclusion & the EU Accessibility Act: What Event Organisers Need to Know (and Act On)

The countdown is on!

From 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will change the rules of the game — and if you’re an event organiser, it’s time to start paying close attention, especially when it comes to neuroinclusion.

While the EAA might look like a digital-first directive at first glance — websites, mobile apps, e-commerce — it’s so much more than that. It’s a wake-up call for the entire events industry to put accessibility and inclusion front and centre. And that includes neurodivergent attendees.

What is the EAA?

The EAA is a binding directive from the EU that mandates accessibility for a wide range of products and services across all member states. It covers things like ATMs, ticket machines, e-books, e-commerce platforms — and crucially, information and services provided to the public.

This includes:

• Online event booking and registration systems
• Ticketing and customer service communications
• Onsite experiences and physical spaces
• Accessibility of event apps and digital tools
• And more…

But here’s where it gets interesting: even if your event is in the UK, if EU citizens are attending, you’re expected to comply. That includes festivals, exhibitions, conferences, and tradeshows across the country.

So where does neuroinclusion come in?

Traditionally, accessibility efforts have focused on physical access — ramps, lifts, hearing loops, toilets. Important? Absolutely! But far too often, the non-visible access needs — especially those related to neurodiversity — are left off the table.

That’s a problem. And under the EAA, it’s one you’ll need to address.

Neuroinclusion means creating environments where neurodivergent people — those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, bipolar, OCD and more — can fully participate in and enjoy your events. Without burnout, overwhelm, or the need to mask.

What organisers need to start thinking about now:

1. Overwhelm is an accessibility issue.
Noise, crowds, flashing lights, unpredictable environments — these are more than just inconveniences for many neurodivergent attendees. They’re exclusionary. A neuroinclusive event considers sensory needs as part of its baseline accessibility plan.

2. “Inclusive” isn’t the same as “available to everyone.”
If you’ve made your event available to attend, but haven’t thought about how people experience it, then you’ve not made it inclusive — you’ve made it available… and potentially overwhelming.

3. Breaks, decompression and retreat spaces are essential.
A supervised SensoryCalm Quiet Room isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s part of an event infrastructure that respects cognitive diversity and promotes wellbeing — and now, under the EAA, it could also be part of compliance.

4. Clarity is king.
Neuroinclusion means clear signage, predictable navigation, advance information, simple language, and reducing uncertainty wherever possible. Think checklists, maps, social stories, and video walk-throughs.

5. It starts with your team.
Trained staff who understand neurodivergence can make or break an attendee’s experience. Not just in the quiet room, but on the info desk, at registration, and throughout the venue. Under the EAA, providing accessible customer service isn’t optional.

What you can do now (before it becomes law):

• Audit your event for sensory and cognitive access barriers.
• Include neurodivergent voices in planning, testing and feedback.
• Partner with specialists like EventWell to provide on-site sensory spaces and trained accessibility hosts.
• Train your teams — from volunteers to VPs — on neurodiversity awareness and inclusion. EventWell can support you with this too.
• Review your digital tools — is your ticketing platform accessible? Can your communications be read by screen readers? Is your language inclusive and easy to understand?

Why it matters (beyond legal compliance)

Because it’s the right thing to do.

Because 85% of neurodivergent people have avoided events altogether due to overwhelm.
Because only 15% would feel safe asking an organiser for help.
Because 88% believe organisers don’t understand their needs.

The EU Accessibility Act is a nudge — a sharp one — but inclusion isn’t just about avoiding fines. It’s about creating events that are human-first. Neuroinclusion isn’t a niche add-on. It’s the next frontier of accessible experience design.

And if you get ahead of the curve now? You won’t just be compliant. You’ll be the organiser people talk about for all the right reasons.