The Misconception of the ‘Simple’ Quiet Room in Events

In recent years, many event industry guidance documents and accessibility reports have suggested that a quiet room can be a simple space with just some chairs and adjusted lighting.

While this might seem like a well intentioned and easy to implement solution, it is fundamentally flawed and can be actively harmful to neurodivergent attendees and those with accessibility needs.

Why This Advice Is Wrong

A quiet room that is not properly resourced for sensory decompression is not just ineffective; it can create additional harm.

By encouraging event organisers to establish under equipped quiet spaces, these reports risk fostering a false sense of accessibility while failing to meet the actual needs of neurodivergent individuals and those with hidden disabilities.

A poorly designed quiet room may leave attendees without the essential tools they need to regulate their sensory experiences, leading to increased distress rather than relief.

The Importance of Neurodivergent-Led Expertise

A significant concern is that much of this misguided advice comes from organisations that are not neurodivergent-led. While these organisations may claim to have consulted neurodivergent individuals, there is a vast difference between token consultation and real lived experience-led guidance.

Neuroinclusion must be driven by those with genuine understanding and first-hand knowledge of neurodivergent needs.

Organisations like EventWell and Nurologik in the UK are dedicated to ensuring that quiet rooms and neuroinclusive spaces at events are created with the correct infrastructure, resources, and supervision. Without this expertise, event organisers risk implementing ineffective or even unsafe spaces.

The Risks of an Unsupervised Quiet Room

An unsupervised quiet room is not a safe space!

Many neurodivergent individuals who require a quiet space are temporarily vulnerable due to sensory overload, executive dysfunction, or anxiety. Without trained supervision, these spaces can become areas of further distress rather than support.

We also know that 55% of neurodivergent attendees favour neurodiversity trained support and supervision over all other accommodations.

If an event organiser cannot properly resource a quiet room with:

• Sensory regulation tools (e.g., noise-cancelling headphones, fidget items, weighted blankets, soft seating)
• Safe and calming design (e.g., controlled sensory lighting, plants, and appropriate textures)
• Supervision by trained professionals who understand neurodivergent needs

then it is better not to include a quiet room at all, as an inadequate space can become a greater liability to an event than having no space in place.

The Legal and Reputational Risks

Under resourced quiet rooms also pose risks for event organisers. These spaces are often not covered by Public Liability Insurance (PLI) if they are not properly set up and supervised. This means that should there be an incident onsite then this could to financial liability, or more. Additionally, failing to create a genuinely inclusive and effective space can lead to reputational damage and criticism from the neurodivergent community, affecting brand trust and future attendance.

A Call to Event Organisers

Every event is neurodiverse, whether organisers realise it or not. Neurodivergent attendees, speakers, and exhibitors are present at every conference, festival, and networking event, and neurotypical attendees are also part of the neurodiversity mix.

To truly support all attendees, event professionals must consult experts with genuine neurodivergent lived experience.

If you are planning an event and want to ensure true neuroinclusion, reach out to specialists like EventWell and Nurologik. We are here to provide guidance, training, and resources to ensure your event is accessible, safe, and genuinely inclusive for all.

Let’s move beyond performative accessibility and create event environments that truly support neurodivergent individuals.