About The Project
Divergently Together is a shared-island creative community engagement project facilitating disabled and neurodivergent communities to participate in climate action.
Led by artist AlanJames Burns in partnership with Rinn AI at Dublin City University, the project brought together neurodivergent participants from the border region of Cavan, Fermanagh and Omagh. Through creative practice, STEM technologies and community-led design, Divergently Together created space for disabled and neurodivergent voices to shape climate action, contributing to a fair and just transition towards a sustainable future.
The Context
Climate change disproportionately affects disability communities. A lack of accessible information, physical vulnerabilities in extreme weather events, increased sensitivity in heat waves due to effects on medication, and a lack of access funding for climate action projects are just some examples of ‘eco-ableism.’
People with lived experience of disability are often largely excluded from climate action efforts, and it is crucially important to create pathways for meaningful participation in climate action.
The disability community is a uniquely placed voice within climate change discussions, and Divergently Together recognises the vital skills and characteristics that can greatly enhance climate mitigation strategies, including resilience, resourcefulness, specialised knowledge, community-centred care, non-linear thinking, the ability to navigate barriers and obstacles, and the ability to challenge established ways of thinking.
Laying Foundations
In the early days of the project, Divergently Together gathered lived experience perspectives from disability communities across Ireland.
From urban perspectives in Waterford and Laois, to rural insights in Cavan, and the unique challenges of island life on Inis Oírr, each location brought a different understanding of how climate change and climate action affected the lives of people in those communities. These conversations helped shape the direction and development of Divergently Together.
Collaboration and community-building
We then created a cross-border community of neurodivergent individuals from Cavan and Fermanagh/Omagh, bringing them together for a series of collaborative workshops and events.
The project is led by artist AlanJames Burns with the Divergently Together team and co-created with local collaborators Christopher David Schuette, Ciara O’Conor Walsh, Clare Martyn, Julie Anna Richmond, Lorraine Montague, Michelle Harton and Niamh Mc Philips. Through creative workshops and discussions, participants co-design responses to the climate emergency from their own neurodivergent experiences and perspectives.
Our Goal
Divergently Together bridges the gap between diverse communities affected by climate change and local authorities who shape policy. By working directly with neurodivergent participants and policymakers, the project builds mutual understanding and equips decision-makers with tools for accessible, inclusive communication. This collaboration ensures climate strategies are grounded in lived experience and better reflect the needs of as many people as possible.
Ultimately, Divergently Together aims to embed neurodivergent voices in climate action and leave a lasting impact.
As a neurodivergent artist, I see first-hand the power of thinking differently. It’s through imagination, creativity and coming together as a community that we can shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.
