PAS 6463:2022

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What is PAS 6463 - Neurodiversity and the built environment about?

A significant number of people find certain aspects of the built environment uncomfortable, distressing or even a barrier to their use, due to neurological differences. However, with thoughtful design or management, many of the potential negative impacts can be eliminated, reduced, or adjusted.

PAS 6463 gives guidance on the design of the built environment for a neurodiverse society, making places more inclusive for everyone.

Who is PAS 6463 - Neurodiversity and the built environment for?

• Designers
• Planners
• Specifiers
• Facilities managers
• Decision-makers on design and management considerations

What does PAS 6463 - Neurodiversity and the built environment cover?

PAS 6463 gives guidance on the design of the built environment to include the needs of people who experience sensory/neurological processing differences. This includes neurodivergent, neurodegenerative, hypersensitive and other neurological conditions which can affect sensory processing and mental well-being.

It incorporates principles to ensure that people with or having a range of sensory/neurological processing differences are able to access and enjoy their experience of the built environment equally. This includes people with Autism, ADHD, Dementia and other neurodivergent or neurodegenerative conditions, while also providing inclusivity for all.

The content of PAS 6463 is aimed at buildings and external spaces for public and commercial use, as well as residential accommodation for independent or supported living. It deals with:

• Lighting
• Acoustics
• Décor
• Flooring
• Layout
• Wayfinding
• Familiarity
• Clarity
• Safety
• Thermal comfort
• Odour
• Preview of an environment
• Other sensory design considerations

NOTE: PAS 6463 does not cover user requirements for special education environments, dementia or complex care settings or detailed guidance on sensory room design.

Why should you use PAS 6463 - Neurodiversity and the built environment?

PAS 6463 reflects a commitment to ensuring all users are considered when creating buildings or places.

It comprehensively tackles challenges relating to built environment design and neurodiversity and is the only guidance of its type supplying authoritative guidance, with input from world leading experts and those who experience neurodiverse conditions. PAS 6463 also:

• Encapsulates a modern, inclusive approach, recognizing the diverse needs of individuals
• Can be a starting point for informing future public policy
• Enables users to enter new markets and develop their expertise
• Builds the confidence of clients and end users
• Strengthens risk management
• Enables environments that can attract new customers or tenants, enhance employee and customer retention, reduce absence due to mental ill health, improve wayfinding, enhance well-being by reducing fatigue and anxiety, improve performance by increasing focus, creativity or productivity
• Can help users meet legal and social obligations such as under the Equality Act relating to disability; the preparation of Autism Strategies (which are a requirement for some public bodies under the Autism Act); the adoption of practices to meet Dementia-friendly charters and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities