Education is often disrupted by global crises. For students who are neurodivergent, the challenges of learning in unstable contexts can be even greater. The need for inclusive and adaptable systems is urgent.
Educating through crisis
The 2025 Global Estimates Update from Education Cannot Wait reports that 234 million children living through crises require urgent support in education. Many are displaced, underserved, and face barriers to continuity of learning.
Neurodiversity in education
Neurodivergent learners, including students with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, report diverse experiences in higher education. Some thrive in supportive environments, while others face stigma or insufficient accommodations. In Australia, psychologists will be required from December 2025 to provide neurodiversity-affirming care, showing progress toward broader acceptance.
Intersection of crisis and neurodivergence
Students who are both neurodivergent and crisis-affected face compounded barriers. Their needs are often invisible in emergency education responses. Systems must train teachers to understand both contexts, design digital access tools that work in disrupted environments, and ensure student voices shape solutions.
We at Brio Group believe that accessibility in education must be adaptable and resilient. Our work ensures that communication, resources, and training are designed with both crisis and neurodiversity in mind. By embedding accessibility principles into the core of education systems, we help institutions prepare for disruption while supporting diverse learners. For us, accessibility is not an afterthought. It is the foundation for equity, continuity, and hope in education.