The Curb Cut Effect at Work: Why Adapting for Neurodiversity Makes Your Business Stronger

The Curb Cut Effect

I feel slightly embarrassed to say that, despite it being a term coined in the 1970s, I have only recently heard of ‘The Curb Cut Effect’. In case, like me, you haven’t heard of it before either,

it refers to the ways that modifications such as a dropped curb, originally designed to make

life more accessible for those with disabilities, are actually beneficial to a far wider audience (In the dropped curb example, parents with pushchairs, wheeling suitcases, bicycles, etc).

I’m less embarrassed to say that during my teaching career, I fully embraced the ethos that ‘good SEND provision, is good provision for ALL’. Adaptations to my teaching practice that I made with individual students in mind with a variety of need would often result in greater understanding from their peers whom I hadn’t considered might benefit from the change. In fact, I can say with certainty that I have never adapted provision and regretted the impact that it had on the ‘rest of the class’.

For example, visual timetables. A staple provision to support students with ASD or school-based anxiety to name just two needs. However, who doesn’t feel more comfortable knowing what is ahead of them that day? Who doesn’t check a calendar, or diary first thing to see what is scheduled? I am sure I’m not alone in receiving an agenda for an all-day meeting or conference and seeing what time the coffee break and lunchtime is.

Movement breaks became the hot topic in my last few years of teaching. Top resources like the BBC Supermovers clips, Go Noodle, outdoor chalk obstacle courses, etc, were regularly recommended by SEND support agencies such as Cognition and Learning teams and Ed Psychs. With the financial strain in schools often resulting in fewer members of staff available to run these ‘interventions’ with individuals or small groups, it became necessary to carry out movement breaks with the whole class to ensure that those who had had it recommended were receiving the right provision. And guess what? We all need to move more!  

From the outside, this is all so obvious but when you are in a high-pressure environment where free time is a luxury you can’t even dream about, it is easy to overlook some of these fundamentals in favour of squeezing in additional curriculum elements.

As I move away from the education setting, the same principles apply to systems, processes and ways of working in the business sector. Too often, adjustments for neurodiverse employees are seen as extras that can be a burden, cost or distraction from the ‘real work’.  However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Accessibility isn’t extra. It’s excellence – for all.

Inclusive practices that boost everyone’s productivity

Here are just a few examples of how workplace adaptations for neurodiverse employees ripple out to create better systems for all:

• Clear documentation & workflows – Cut the clutter.

For a neurodiverse colleague, this reduces ambiguity. For the whole team, it cuts down on mistakes and makes onboarding smoother.

An example in practice: Give specific deadlines. ‘This needs to be top priority’ is not helpful to a neurodivergent employee. Instead: ‘I need the final draft emailed over to me by 12 noon on Thursday’.

• Flexible communication styles - One message. Many ways to understand.

Offering information in written, verbal, or visual formats helps employees process in the way that works best for them. It also ensures vital details don’t get lost in translation.

 An example in practice: Team meeting follow-up

• After a meeting, the manager does a quick verbal recap before wrapping up (“Here are the 3 key actions we’ve agreed on today…”). Employees who process best by hearing information get clarity in the moment.

• Those same actions are then shared in writing (an email or Teams message with bullet points). Those who prefer reading can revisit the written notes.

• For more complex tasks, a simple visual (like a flowchart or infographic) is added to show timelines or steps at a glance. Those who work well with visuals have a quick reference that shows how everything fits together.

• Structured task breakdowns – Big goals. Small steps

Use processes such as backward chaining to build confidence, remove overwhelm and develop a reliable routine.

An example in practice: Sending out a newsletter

“Can you send the newsletter by Friday?” For someone who struggles with planning, sequencing, or executive function, this feels like one big, vague job.

Instead try using Backward Chaining. Start with the end point and work backwards, teaching or scaffolding each step.

Step breakdown (backward): 

1. Click send on the newsletter (end goal).

2. Schedule/test the email in the mailing platform.

3. Insert final content into the template.

4. Proofread text and check links.

5. Draft newsletter content.

6. Collect updates, images, or announcements from the team.

   
   

Implementation:

• In the first cycle, the employee just does Step 1 (sending) after everything is prepared.

• Next time, they handle Steps 2 + 1 (scheduling + sending).

• Gradually, they take on more steps until they can complete the whole chain independently.

Why does it matter?

Embedding inclusive systems isn’t just about doing the right thing. It’s about running a smarter, more resilient business.

• Higher productivity: Clearer systems = less wasted time and rework.

• Engaged employees: When people feel supported, they’re more motivated and loyal.

• Stronger reputation: Organisations known for inclusivity attract top talent and clients.

• Future-proofed processes: Systems built with flexibility in mind adapt more easily as businesses grow and change.

When we build with inclusivity at the core, we raise the bar for everyone.

The curb-cut effect reminds us that when we design for difference, we all move forward together.

If you’re ready to explore how inclusive, efficient systems could transform the way you work, let’s talk.

Contact Time Savvy to find out how we can help your business save time and thrive.