Ali is an autistic/ADHD man who is passionate about neurodiversity and radicalism. He has graduated from Bishop Grosseteste University. He has extensive experience working in SEND school settings both in an educational and pastoral capacity, working closely within disadvantaged communities with high proportions of neurodivergent students. Alistair works for the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership and is the Director of Deflect + Protect CIC.

Ali will discuss both his own learned experience of nightlife as a disabled, neurodivergent person, and his experiences working with neurodivergent individuals. He will explore how nightlife can be made neurodivergent-friendly and the various ways neurodivergent people interact with nightlife. Additionally, he will consider how the special interest’s neurodivergent people have and how this can contribute to creating a safer nightlife spaces and how harnessing the talents of the neurodivergent community can result in unexpected and accessible opportunities.