The DIVERCITY project
Since the 2005 law, accessibility in public spaces has been a legal requirement. However, the focus remains on motor and sensory impairments, overlooking the needs of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), who make up a significant portion of those with invisible disabilities. These individuals face major daily challenges that impact their social inclusion and quality of life.
DIVERCITY aims to bridge this gap by creating a network of businesses and public spaces that are attuned to the specific needs associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. To support them, six educational videos have been produced, covering key aspects of sensory accessibility (lighting, noise, odors, crowding, customer service, and signage). Grounded in scientific data and the lived experiences of individuals affected by these conditions, the initiative is accompanied by a best-practices charter that offers business owners layout solutions tailored to their specific constraints.
Participating locations will be listed on a free, collaborative app, making it easy for users to identify them. Users will be able to locate suitable businesses and public spaces, share their feedback, and complete questionnaires to help refine recommendations. Ultimately, the goal is to create an inclusive ecosystem across several districts of Lyon, featuring a network of businesses that are informed and aware of these issues.
Beyond its societal aspects, DIVERCITY includes a research component aimed at gathering novel data on the interactions between individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and their environment, as well as on the system’s acceptability among merchants. The application makes it possible to observe these interactions in an ecological setting—that is, in real-life, everyday situations—thereby providing a nuanced understanding of user needs and the obstacles encountered.
The effectiveness of the modifications, their acceptance by local merchants, and their impact on the quality of life of the people involved will be evaluated in order to measure the overall impact of the initiative. A longitudinal study will analyze changes in the users’ quality of life and the way they make these adapted spaces their own.
By leveraging this unique data, DIVERCITY will help refine recommendations for sustainable accessibility. This interdisciplinary approach, driven by iMIND/Le Vinatier and Université Lyon 2, will complement laboratory-based studies and offer concrete solutions tailored to real-world conditions.
Caroline DEMILY
Professor Caroline Demily, a psychiatrist, is an expert in neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric conditions of genetic origin. She heads the Autism, Neurodevelopment, and Hospitalo-Universitaire Autisme, neuro Développement et Inclusion Sociale (HU-ADIS) at Le Vinatier and coordinates the national GénoPsy network—dedicated to rare diseases with psychiatric manifestations—as well as the iMIND Center of Excellence for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Committed to the better inclusion of adults with neurodevelopmental disorders, she has developed expertise in managing complex cases. She also conducts research at the Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerod—specifically investigating the genetics of atypical forms of schizophrenia and social cognition deficits in rare diseases—with the aim of improving diagnosis and support for affected individuals.
Christine MORIN-MESSABEL
Christine Morin-Messabel is a professor of social psychology at Université Lumière Lyon 2, where she is a member of the IPsyL / Reshape research unit. Her current research focuses on gender stereotypes within the education system and the impact of counter-stereotypes and stereotype threat on behavior. Her work also addresses gender-based choices in scientific disciplines and explores topics such as health, precariousness, adolescent risk-taking, and women’s career paths in scientific fields.