What is neuroDIVERSEcity?
neuroDIVERSEcity is an autistic‑led initiative that identifies and endorses Chattanooga businesses, organizations, and workplaces where autistic and neurodivergent people can exist safely, comfortably, and “unmasked.” This program is built on the understanding that accessibility is not a checklist — it is a culture, a set of expectations, and a commitment to dignity.
As part of this commitment, neuroDIVERSEcity includes expectations around equitable employment. We ask endorsed businesses to be willing, within reason, to employ autistic and neurodivergent people and to provide accommodations that support “unmasked” participation in the workplace.
Our standards are shaped by autistic lived experience and grounded in the needs of our community. neuroDIVERSEcity is not a certification; it is a public commitment to creating spaces where neurodivergent people are welcomed as themselves.
Endorsed neuroDIVERSEcity Businesses
The businesses listed here have met the standards of the neuroDIVERSEcity program. Each one has demonstrated a commitment to accessibility, “unmasked” belonging, equitable employment practices, and meaningful collaboration with autistic adults. These spaces have shown, through action rather than intention, that autistic and neurodivergent people are welcomed, supported, and able to participate — as customers, community members, and employees.
Disclaimer: neuroDIVERSEcity endorsements apply only to the subjective nature of accessibility, culture, and “unmasked” belonging demonstrated by a business. Our endorsement does not cover health department certifications, professional licenses, regulatory compliance, Better Business Bureau ratings, or any other external requirements. If you have a concern related to licensing, safety, or regulatory compliance, please contact the appropriate authority for that issue. After doing so, we welcome a consideration to let us know about the concern so we can review the business’s standing within the neuroDIVERSEcity program.
Spectrum Tattoo is the first business endorsed through the neuroDIVERSEcity program. The name is intentional: the majority of the artists identify as “on the spectrum,” and the shop’s culture reflects that lived experience. Spectrum Tattoo offers accommodations such as dimmed lighting (artists can use a headlamp), quieter or louder environments depending on sensory needs, breaks as needed, and full acceptance of stimming. Communication and consent are central to every session, and artists work directly with clients to ensure they can participate comfortably and “unmasked.”
Stay Sharp Barber Shop has been a trusted and popular space for autistic and neurodivergent community members for years. Patti meets clients exactly where they are — on the floor, standing and stimming, walking around, or seated in the chair. If you have hair, Patti can cut it. She adapts the environment, pace, and process to each person’s needs, and she does so without judgment or pressure to “mask.” Her approach is grounded in communication, consent, and respect for self‑accommodation, making Stay Sharp Barber Shop a reliable and affirming option for autistic and neurodivergent people across Chattanooga.
Why neuroDIVERSEcity Matters
Most public spaces are not designed with autistic or neurodivergent people in mind. Sensory overload, unclear expectations, inaccessible communication, and stigma create barriers that keep many of us from participating fully in community life.
neuroDIVERSEcity addresses this directly by:
- naming what accessibility actually looks like for autistic people
- supporting businesses in making meaningful, sustainable changes
- increasing visibility for neurodivergent‑affirming spaces
- shifting Chattanooga’s culture toward dignity and “unmasked” belonging
This initiative makes it clear that autistic people are not an afterthought — we are leaders, culture‑builders, and partners in shaping a more accessible city.
What We Look For
Our standards are rooted in autistic experience and community feedback. We look for spaces that demonstrate:
Sensory‑considerate environments Thoughtful lighting, sound, layout, and flexibility.
Clear communication Direct information, predictable processes, and multiple ways to interact.
Respect for self‑accommodation Acceptance of stimming, movement, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, quiet space use, and personal regulation tools.
Staff awareness and willingness to learn Not expertise — openness, respect, and accountability.
Commitment to “unmasked” belonging Spaces where autistic people do not have to hide, perform, or suppress who we are.
Equitable employment practices A willingness, within reason, to hire autistic and neurodivergent people and to provide reasonable accommodations that support “unmasked” participation in the workplace.
These standards evolve as our community grows and as we receive feedback from autistic people across Chattanooga.
How neuroDIVERSEcity Works
- Businesses express interest or are nominated by community members.
- We meet with the business to understand their environment, needs, and goals.
- We share our goals and offer guidance rooted in autistic lived experience, including education created and designed by autistic adults and inspired by training used in clinical, therapeutic, and crisis‑intervention settings.
- Businesses make changes that align with those shared goals, including demonstrating a reasonable commitment to hiring autistic and neurodivergent people and accommodating them in ways that support “unmasked” participation.
- We endorse the space publicly once it meets our shared goals.
- We maintain ongoing communication to support the business in our shared goal.
This process is collaborative! Our goal is culture‑building, not gatekeeping.
Education
neuroDIVERSEcity does two things: it provides our community with a list of endorsed businesses, and it provides education about autistic people to the general public. As part of this work, we offer an educational module created by autistic adults and grounded in autistic lived experience. This module is designed for the general public, and businesses that participate in neuroDIVERSEcity show their commitment by being willing to receive it — whether that is the owner, a manager, or employees. This education is shaped by what autistic people want the public to understand about communication, sensory needs, unmasking, and the shift from assimilation to accommodation. It is practical, accessible, and rooted in the realities of autistic life. It is not clinical or diagnostic; it is community‑built education created by us, about us, for anyone who wants to understand how to create spaces where autistic people can exist without pressure to "mask."
Nominate a Business or Become a neuroDIVERSEcity Partner
Businesses and community members are both welcome to nominate a business, workplace, or community setting for neuroDIVERSEcity endorsement. You can use our nomination form or contact us directly — whichever method works best for you.
Any business that provides a good or service can be considered. This includes home repair services, retail shops, veterinary care, salons and barbershops, cafés, studios, medical or wellness practices, and other community‑facing services.
Our endorsement focuses on the people who shape the environment: the staff, leadership, and decision‑makers who create a culture of accessibility, respect, and “unmasked” belonging. A space becomes neuroaffirming because the people within it choose to learn, adapt, and support neurodivergent community members.
Nominations help us begin a collaborative process of understanding how a business’s people show up, communicate, and commit to autistic‑affirming practices.
What Your Support Makes Possible
neuroDIVERSEcity is part of our broader work as an autistic‑led grassroots 501(c)(3). Support for this initiative helps us:
- develop clear, accessible standards
- create training materials and communication tools
- meet with businesses and community partners
- expand endorsements across Chattanooga
- build a city where autistic people can participate without “masking”
- strengthen autistic leadership across all areas of our work, ensuring decisions, education, and standards remain rooted in lived experience
This work is guided by autistic leadership and shaped by the needs of our community.
