Curiously Divergent announced as a 2026 Disability Smart Impact Awards finalist

Katie Humphrey, founder of Peterborough-based Curiously Divergent, which has been shortlisted for a national disability inclusion award.

placeholder image — Katie Humphrey, founder of Peterborough-based Curiously Divergent, which has been shortlisted for a national disability inclusion award.

Curiously Divergent has been shortlisted in the Recruitment Award category of Business Disability Forum’s Disability Smart Impact Awards 2026, recognising organisations that are delivering measurable, positive change for disabled people and helping to remove barriers to employment.

The organisation joins a shortlist that includes global organisations such as the BBC and KPMG, with the Recruitment Award celebrating innovative and inclusive initiatives that enable more disabled people to access employment.

Curiously Divergent supports neurodivergent people to access and remain in employment, while also helping organisations rethink recruitment and workplace support so different ways of thinking are valued.

Initiatives recognised by the award judges include:

Hannah, Operations Manager at Curiously Divergent, who manages the organisation’s neuro-affirming support worker service helping neurodivergent professionals access practical workplace support.

• An interactive escape room workshop designed to help neurodivergent young people identify their strengths, understand workplace adjustments and build confidence in advocating for themselves.

• Supported internship resources created for local authorities, employers and families to help disabled young people better understand pathways into employment.

• Advocacy and guidance through the Access to Work scheme, supporting around 40 adults to secure workplace adjustments and remain in employment.

Over the past two years Curiously Divergent has supported around 200 young people, 100 parents and carers, and more than 20 schools, employers and organisations through workshops, training and practical resources designed to prepare neurodivergent individuals for employment.

Katie Humphrey with the “Making Employment Work for You” guide created by Curiously Divergent to support neurodivergent people preparing for employment.

Katie Humphrey, Founder of Curiously Divergent, said: “This recognition highlights the importance of designing employment systems that work for different ways of thinking. Too often recruitment processes assume everyone communicates, learns and works in the same way. When that happens, neurodivergent people can be excluded before they even get a chance. Our work focuses on helping people understand their strengths and rights at work, while also supporting organisations to rethink recruitment and workplace support so neurodivergent people can thrive.”

Katie also thanked the people who have supported the organisation’s work.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of so many people who believe neurodivergent individuals deserve fair opportunities to succeed. I’m incredibly grateful to our volunteers, the organisations who partner with us, and our leadership team – including Operations Manager Hannah and Director Bryonie – who have been instrumental in helping Curiously Divergent grow and make an impact.”

Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, said: “Many congratulations to all the 2026 finalists. It’s a huge achievement to be acknowledged in this way and we are proud to give UK and global organisations of all sizes the chance to share their work to inspire and galvanise others.

Curiously Divergent has been named a finalist in the Recruitment category at the Business Disability Forum Disability Smart Impact Awards 2026.

Our awards are all about impact because that is what disability inclusion is about – individuals and organisations making a real and lasting impact on the lives of disabled people by removing barriers to inclusion.

With 1 in 4 people in the UK living with a disability and 1.3 billion globally, accessibility is not a niche concern but a business-critical priority. The awards offer organisations and individuals a high-profile platform to demonstrate how their accessibility and inclusion initiatives are driving meaningful impact for so many people.”

Winners of the Disability Smart Impact Awards 2026 will be announced at a ceremony hosted by HSBC in London and online on 29 April 2026. Go to Business Disability Forum’s Disability Smart Impact Awards 2026 page to find out more about all the 2026 finalists, book to attend the live stream and read about past winners.

Business Disability Forum Press Office: For further information or to request this press release in a different format, please email [email protected] or call 020 7403 3020.

Curiously Divergent Contact us: [email protected]