Why Co-Regulation Still Gets Missed in Inclusion Conversations

In recent years, conversations around inclusion, accessibility and neurodiversity have grown significantly across the events industry and beyond. We are seeing more quiet spaces, more accessibility policies and a greater awareness of sensory overload.

These developments are incredibly positive.

However, there is still an important element of inclusion that is often overlooked: human co-regulation.

And interestingly, I’ve noticed a pattern in the conversations happening around it.

The Missing Piece in Many Inclusion Models

When organisations talk about neuroinclusion, the conversation often centres around environmental adjustments.

These might include:

quiet rooms

sensory tools

noise-cancelling headphones

lighting adjustments

reduced visual clutter

better signage and navigation

All of these things are important. Environmental design can dramatically reduce sensory overwhelm and improve accessibility.

But they represent only one part of the nervous system regulation picture.

What is frequently missing is the recognition that humans regulate not just through tools or environments, but through other humans.

This is known as co-regulation.

Co-regulation occurs when the presence of a calm, supportive person helps another individual regulate their nervous system. It can be as simple as someone sitting quietly with you, offering reassurance or creating a sense of safety.

In many situations, that human presence is the factor that makes the difference between someone being able to remain at an event – or needing to leave altogether.

A Pattern Worth Noticing

Over the years working in neuroinclusive event design, we’ve noticed an interesting pattern.

Many of the women working in inclusion, wellbeing and accessibility spaces instinctively recognise the importance of co-regulation and human support within wellbeing environments.

They often understand that:

spaces alone are not always enough

emotional safety matters

calm human presence can significantly change someone’s experience

By contrast, some conversations within inclusion – particularly those focused on systems, compliance or infrastructure – can place much heavier emphasis on environmental solutions and tools.

This is not necessarily about individuals or intentions. It often reflects the different professional pathways people bring into inclusion work.

Many people working in policy, engineering, technology or operations naturally focus on structural adjustments.

Those coming from backgrounds such as healthcare, education, therapy or caregiving are often more attuned to the relational aspects of support.

Both perspectives are valuable.

But when co-regulation is missing from the conversation, an important part of accessibility is left behind.

Humans Are Wired for Co-Regulation

Neuroscience increasingly reinforces what many care-based professions have long understood.

Human nervous systems respond to signals of safety from others.

Research around polyvagal theory, mirror neurons and attachment science shows that our brains continuously read cues such as tone of voice, facial expression and body language.

A calm, supportive person can help another individual regulate their nervous system far more quickly than someone attempting to manage overwhelm entirely alone.

This is particularly relevant for neurodivergent individuals, for whom sensory overwhelm or cognitive fatigue can escalate quickly in busy environments.

What Our Research Tells Us

In EventWell research conducted in 2022–23, we found that 55% of neurodivergent attendees want quiet and sensory spaces to be supervised.

This is a powerful insight.

It tells us that people are not simply looking for a room to retreat into. They are looking for safety, reassurance and support if they need it.

That doesn’t mean everyone will want interaction. Many people simply want to know that support is available if needed.

That sense of psychological safety can change how comfortable someone feels attending an event in the first place.

Inclusion Is Both Structural and Human

True inclusion requires more than infrastructure.

It requires an understanding that people regulate through a combination of:

environmental regulation (the design of the space)

self-regulation (personal tools and coping strategies)

co-regulation (support from other humans)

When these elements work together, we create environments where people can pause, reset and return to the experience.

When co-regulation is absent, even well-designed spaces can fall short of their potential.

Moving the Conversation Forward

As the events industry continues to evolve its approach to inclusion and neurodiversity, there is an opportunity to broaden the conversation.

Inclusion is not only about policies, physical adjustments or sensory tools.

It is also about recognising the importance of human presence, empathy and psychological safety within our environments.

The most inclusive spaces are not just designed well. They are held well.

And when we combine thoughtful environmental design with trained, compassionate human support, we move closer to events that truly welcome everyone.