Neurodissident Cafe Conduct Policy

The aim of the Neurodissident Cafe is to support autistic women and non-binary people in providing a safe space to enjoy ourselves, build friendships and learn more about ourselves. As autistic people, we volunteer our time to ensure that this support reaches all women and non-binary people and that everyone feels included at all times.

Neurodissident Cafe knows that a safe space cannot be promised to anyone, but this doesn’t mean that we as a community cannot try to keep our events as safe as possible for all attendees.

Neurodissident Cafe wants everyone to enjoy coming to our groups and feel safe. To help ensure that everyone gets the most from our group sessions, we would appreciate it if you would read and abide with the following code of conduct. Receiving this and attending our groups assumes your agreement with it.

What you can expect from the session organisers:

• They will do all they can to create a safe and welcoming environment for all those attending the sessions.
• They will treat all attendees with respect. Any physical, emotional, verbal abuse or rudeness towards other organisers or attendees will not be tolerated.
• They will be reliable. They will make it clear when and how they will be available and meet these expectations or provide as much notice as possible if they cannot.
• They will respond to all general queries within a reasonable time. Please be aware they can only do this when there is time available to them as volunteers in their spare time.
• They will always listen to all session attendees concerns and respond appropriately.
• They have a duty to raise any issues to relevant authorities if anyone’s wellbeing or safeguarding appears in doubt.

What we ask of you

The following behaviours are unacceptable in Neurodissident Cafe:

• Acts of violence toward another person
• Threats of violence towards another person
• Incitement of violence towards any individual, including encouraging others to self-harm, commit suicide or harm themselves in any other way
• Offensive comments relating to anyone's gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neurotype, physical appearance, body, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, language or religion.
• Unsolicited comments or suggestions regarding an individual’s lifestyle choices and practices, including but not limited to those related to food, health, parenting, drugs, and employment
• Deliberate misgendering or use of deadname
• Conversations or presentations promote or encourage racism, ableism, misogyny, misogynoir, transphobia, transmisogyny, transmisogynoir, homophobia, biphobia, islamophobia, anti-semitism, classism, fatphobia, body shaming or colourism.