Neurodivergence Campus
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Neurodivergence Campus offers free resources to support neurodivergent individuals, focusing on education, workplace success, health, and daily life. We combine research and community input for stigma-free, practical strategies.
This information below can also be found on the attached PDF file.
Neurodiverse Endeavors - Proposal to CACF: Empowering Neurodivergent Individuals, Families, Professionals, and Communities.
"There are very few websites, if any, that comprehensively cover all neurodivergent conditions in an encyclopedic manner."
The main objective is to acquire enough funding to relocate/migrate the introductory/prototype website to a platform that supports the high number of webpages needed to support an online encyclopedia comprehensively and in a layered manner conducive to effective learning.
Overview
Neurodiverse Endeavors, operating as "Neurodivergence Campus," is excited to present this funding proposal for our non-profit, educational website, NDcampus.org The term "neurodivergence" refers to a neurodivergent condition.
Our free public website is designed to educate professionals, support persons, and families about various neurodivergences. This resource has evolved from our local family navigation services (originally at UVA) and has the potential to reach a global audience. By offering this information online as a non-profit, free entity, we aim to enhance access beyond our initial community.
Under the umbrella platform of Neurodivergence Campus is "Autism University," also known as "autismU.org". AutismU.org also redirects to the main Neurodivergence Campus. Initially, Autism University was the original platform, which has since been expanded to encompass a broader range of neurodivergences, with many still in the process of development.
Securing funding will be important to support the expenses associated with website design and development. While many websites focus specifically on autism, there are very few, if any, that comprehensively cover all neurodivergences in an encyclopedic manner. Conditions like ADHD and dyslexia, along with autism, are part of the broader neurodiversity spectrum, yet resources that explore these neurotypes collectively and provide in-depth information on each are limited. A holistic approach to neurodiversity is essential for understanding the diverse experiences and strengths of individuals across all neurotypes.
As a part of the STAR Initiative (Supporting Transformation Autism Research), the University of Virginia (UVA) initially identified four underserved regions in Virginia: southwest Virginia, the Orange/Louisa/Madison/Culpeper area, the "Valley" including Augusta County and surrounding areas, and the Lynchburg area. Over time, the focus of the Initiative expanded to include Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and all counties, cities, and towns in Virginia. After the conclusion of the four-year grant that supported my position, the responsibility for family navigation services (guidance for autism) was transitioned to Commonwealth Autism (in Richmond) for all regions except Lynchburg and the "Valley", although that may have changed again since I have been there.
Our Proposal
The website is fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization (Neurodiverse Endeavors) and because it is free and available to anyone with internet or smartphone access, Thorough local promotional efforts, it directly benefits residents of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson or Orange, as well as the rest of Virginia, all 50 states, and on. Please see "Impact" below for the alignment with the goals of the CACF's grant programs and other opportunities within the generous and keenly focused CACF network.
Below are some principles we intend to follow:
Vision - Neurodivergence Campus intends to be inclusive of all neurodivergences to help the neurodivergent population with any challenges in their daily lives while providing insight to those who do not understand the concept of neurodiversity. As an original idea just for autism, this expansion is intended to reframe neurodivergences in a way that taps into potentials for individuals (and their families) who may struggle with understanding symptoms.
Inspiration - Building upon insights gathered from the neurodivergent population in both local and surrounding communities, there is a genuine demand to support individuals seeking to enhance their skills. We are enthusiastic about leveraging the foundation laid by previous local initiatives to further empower the neurodivergent community.
Flexibility - We intend to receive feedback from individuals with disabilities or challenges to have their voices heard. We intend to pivot when research demands that realities need to be re-dressed. Acknowledging anecdotes from the public can help set the stage for further research.
The website was initially envisioned as a centralized resource for families seeking information and support after an autism diagnosis, typically made before age 7, as outlined in the Overview. Over time, the project expanded to include resources for individuals of all ages, ensuring inclusivity for children diagnosed later in life, adults seeking diagnosis, and those already diagnosed. This inclusive approach also aims to address not only autism but also "co-occurring" neurodivergences such as ADHD and dyslexia, which often require additional support but are sometimes overlooked.
Having worked as a Family Navigator, I witnessed the overwhelming emotions families experienced when their child received a diagnosis, many residing in our local area. It has become my mission to provide clarity and guidance to families in need of support, especially those who have just received a diagnosis and don't know what steps to take next. Establishing an inclusive website as a community is essential for offering families and individuals the necessary clarity to navigate their journey and feel supported for types of neurodivergences, that sometimes overlap. When educating families, the need for strengths-based approaches to a child who is diagnosed is often overlooked. Rather than concentrating on the child's deficits, which has traditionally been the approach in many schools and outpatient behavioral clinics, it is crucial to identify the child's strengths and set goals that build on these innate or acquired skills.
Our Capacity
I bring the wisdom gained from having a child diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 and supporting him up to his current age of 23. Additionally, as a parent of children with other learning differences and neurodivergences, I have become adept at seeking assessments and obtaining accommodations for various brain variations. This experience has honed my ability to empathetically connect with fellow parents, discern their needs for clarity, and sift through information to offer valuable guidance while avoiding distractions or confusion.
I spent 4 years as a Family Navigator with the UVA STAR Initiative at the UVA School of Education, during which I learned the intricacies of the pathways needed to secure support for families and individuals. Part of that role involved creating informative and educational .PDF documents that could be sent to families as resources. That is when I realized that having a website with this information could better serve my local region, which includes the geographic areas outlined in the Bama Works grant criteria. While directing families to PDFs of information can be helpful, this system often results in ad hoc distribution that doesn't always present the information in a clear, holistic, or inclusive manner. Paper-based documents also lack live hyperlinks to easily connect families to critical area resources.
Having lived in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville for over 24 years (and my husband for over 55 years), I am deeply rooted in our local communities and well-equipped to provide families with essential information about medical and educational resources available for neurodivergent children. In my previous role, I gained valuable insight into the needs of surrounding counties, such as Orange and Louisa, reinforcing the importance of offering comprehensive, localized support. This website will serve as a centralized hub of information, providing families directly with the resources they need in an approachable format. As the site grows, it will be carefully tailored to address the specific needs of families across Virginia, ensuring that all regions have access to relevant and practical information without feeling overwhelmed.
Power Building/Sharing
Our Board consists of individuals who have personal connections to neurodivergences, either through family members, friends, or through their diagnoses. They have firsthand experience with the challenges of securing accommodations from schools, whether for an IEP for autism or a 504 plan for a neurodivergence like dyslexia or ADHD. Additionally, we have professional expertise relevant to the project through numerous educational ties. One of our Board Members recently served as an inclusion specialist for UVA (and has had past affiliations with other universities). Her experience ensures she is well-versed in the latest research and practices for protecting the rights of people with disabilities and neurodivergences that improve their quality of life.
As a Family Navigator, I have responded to countless emails and engaged in numerous phone and Zoom conversations with those seeking support, which has provided me with extensive experience in meeting the specific needs of neurodivergent individuals. I am familiar with the latest research trends and understand the frustrations faced by those affected. Managing projects focused on educating physicians on how to support individuals with autism, as well as organizing large events like resource fairs, has equipped me with the skills needed to produce substantial and impactful initiatives.
Care for Resources
The funding serves as an initial seed investment, complementing the Executive Director's contributions to support the development of the website and manage ongoing expenses. Details regarding deliverables, timeline, and budget will be provided in subsequent sections of this proposal. The main objective is to acquire enough funding to relocate the website to a platform that supports the high number of webpages needed to support an online encyclopedia.
The Objective
***Need #1: The goal is to produce a website designer through RFP bids that can produce the online encyclopedia framework that handles the number of pages needed to be a comprehensive all-in-one site.
***If funds do not allow for a website designer, it will be difficult to grow the website into the encyclopedia format. Therefore, a smaller amount would cover maintenance costs, including hosting, domains, graphic design, plug-ins, apps, and more.
Need #2: Possible funding for staff to research and create website content to supplement in-kind services provided.
Need #3: Possible coverage of fees for legal and accounting services to ensure accurate tax filings and address potential trademark issues.
Need #4: Possible fees for consulting services from website design companies. (However, we have been utilizing Catchafire that offers support services in lieu of financial support. This approach will allow us to leverage the expertise and resources of volunteers to enhance our website development project, allowing us to partially divert any potential funds towards costs for needed technologies.)
The Opportunity
Goal #1: Fulfill website design and content required under all types of neurodivergences.
Goal #2: Prepare social media design and content.
Goal #3: Reach 50,000 visitors to the website.
Goal #4: Secure additional funding to sustain the project.
Goal #5: Continue to update the mobile and iPad view of the website so all margins, objects, and text are aligned correctly.
The Solution
Recommendation #1: Continue to follow social media trends.
Recommendation #2: Implement a consumer feedback system to ensure societal input.
Recommendation #3: Quarterly board meetings to discuss the above goals.
Recommendation #4: Continued research into available grants.
Recommendation #5: As website design needs emerge that are possibly greater than our current skill set, we intend to seek advice from design consulting businesses.
Technical/Project Approach
A substantial, example framework has been established on the website. The outline on the About page illustrates the initial stages of Autism University. The strategy is to delve deeper in a similar manner for all neurodivergences. Currently, the autism section is the most developed, but it still holds untapped potential and will require further expansion. Additionally, the ADHD section of the site, currently named "Attention Academy," will be developed following a similar outline to the autism section. The goal is to have uniformity with the presentation of each neurodivergence.
The website's design embodies a "cleanliness" akin to that of an Apple product, characterized by minimal clutter on each page, the absence of distracting ads, and limited movement. The selected fonts prioritize readability with a clean, simple design, and special attention is given to spacing between letters and lines. Research (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9674548/) has demonstrated that colors can enhance memory retention in humans.
At a later stage, the addition of functionality to enhance readability, such as colored filters or dyslexic-friendly fonts, will be considered. It is postulated that parents of children with learning differences, who may themselves be undiagnosed, could benefit from these website accommodations.
More on Fonts
Sans-Serif: Sans-serif fonts are clean and modern, lacking the small lines at the ends of letters (serifs). They are highly readable, especially on digital screens. Examples: Arial, Helvetica, Futura, Calibri.
Regular (Roman): Regular fonts are neutral and highly readable, making them ideal for long text. They ensure consistency and are minimally affected by optical distortions.
Straight: Straight fonts have a rigid and stable structure, conveying durability and reliability, often used in professional documents.
The colors used on the website are taken from the Neurodiversity Design System: https://neurodiversity.design/principles/colour/
Project Deliverables
Each of these sections will be developed with everyday language, understandable to the general population, about neurodiversity as well as practicable next steps and accessible resources for families. The project aims to create accessible and understandable resources about neurodiversity for families, focusing on practical next steps and available support.
The first deliverable will explain neurodiversity, starting with the "Neurodivergence Campus." This section will approach the topic from an academic perspective but will use everyday language to emphasize the existence and functioning of different brain differences.
Next, the project will address the increasing prevalence of autism and the need for effective support strategies. According to the CDC, the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is 27.6 per 1,000 children aged 8, with a significantly higher occurrence in boys compared to girls.
The project will also explore Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), aiming to clarify common misconceptions about this condition. By detailing its symptoms, the initiative seeks to foster better accommodations for individuals with ADHD and support educators in providing necessary adjustments for their students.
Additionally, the project will focus on dyslexia, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis for conditions like dyslexia to implement timely interventions. These interventions can enhance the productivity of struggling students and alleviate their frustrations.
Finally, the project will research and identify additional conditions that fall under the umbrella of "neurodivergence," such as dyspraxia, dyscalculia, hyperlexia, synesthesia, and misophonia. This effort aims to better define and support diverse neurological profiles, ensuring comprehensive understanding and resources for families.
Resources
Research will be acquired and cited from reputable academic online libraries and directories. Evidence-based practices are important to promote safety among educational materials. There is an extensive array of social media content available, and it is crucial to acknowledge and sift through this information, allowing researchers to debate, discuss, and determine the direction of future research. These practices can yield evidence-based information that we can later access and present on the website.
New research can range from evaluating existing educational programs to potentially developing new teaching methods and staying on top of these investigations is important for the public and professionals to know. The type of information to be produced through research or examination of neurodivergent individuals will be essential for promoting their well-being, covering areas such as personal behavior modifications and medical interventions.
Timeline for Prototype Execution
The timeline for executing the project includes key dates that are estimated and may change until a contract is finalized:
● The project officially started in October 2022 as one neurodivergent condition (autism) and is currently ongoing.
● In June 2024, the first milestone of Phase 1 began, focusing on adjusting the mobile version of the website.
● The second milestone of Phase 1 went through July 2024 and ran until December 2024. This phase involved submitting proposals for the fall, developing a draft of the main menu for Autism University (AutismU.org), and creating initial pages for additional neurodivergences, including ADHD and dyslexia.
● Phase 1 will be considered complete in March 2025, with the final deliverables including a person-centered approach and the completion of the main menu definitions for Autism University, which will take an additional six months.
● Phase 2 will begin with Milestone 3 in April 2025, focusing on initiating the Community Connections section for Autism University (AutismU.org) and continuing the development of ADHD University. This phase is expected to last until May 2025.
● Milestone 4 of Phase 2 will involve developing an overview of county resource EXAMPLES that can be specified for each community region in each state, starting in April 2025.
● Milestone 5 aims to achieve comprehensive development for at least five neurodivergences, ensuring extensive material is available on each dedicated page. This milestone will take place from September 2024 to December 2025.
Supplied Material
The following materials are to be supplied by Neurodiverse Endeavors for this project.
● Volunteer labor hours that have already been completed encompass web design, grant writing, and administrative tasks performed by the Founder and Executive Director from October 2022 to April 2025.
● Future volunteer labor hours will focus on research, as detailed in the budget, and will be conducted by the Founder and Executive Director from April 2025 to August 2025.
● Past start-up costs associated with domain registration and hosting prior to the incorporation in May 2024 are outlined in the current budget.
PRICING using the RFP process to acquire a WEBSITE DESIGNER
Estimations and Approximations
Creating a website for a non-profit that serves as a dense online encyclopedia of neurodivergent conditions involves several costs, especially when working with a design company. An initial amount of $5,000 is requested to cover the initial start-up phase involving the migration (technically Phase 3 if following the above Phases) when using a website design to cover "hosting, design, and migration". Content development will continue to be provided by the Executive Director "in-kind" through the completion of this initial phase. Phase 4 would involve "development" of CRM, SEO, CMS, Marketing… and would require additional funds beyond the minimum amount of $5,000.
Below is a concept breakdown of the key expenses, along with explanations for each. They are ballpark figures that do not relate to non-profits specifically and therefore may not apply here.
1. Initial Planning and Discovery
● Cost: $1,000–$5,000
● What it covers:
○ Research and strategy sessions to define the website's goals, target audience, and content structure.
○ Wireframing and prototyping to outline the site's layout and user flow. CURRENT PROTOTYPE: NDampus.org
○ Competitive analysis to ensure the site stands out.
2. Web Design
● Cost: $5,000–$20,000
● What it covers:
○ Custom design of the website's visual elements (color schemes, typography, icons, etc.).
○ Responsive design to ensure the site works well on all devices (desktop, tablet, mobile).
○ Accessibility features (e.g., screen reader compatibility, high-contrast modes) to accommodate neurodivergent users.
○ User experience (UX) design to make navigation intuitive for a dense content site.
3. Development (Frontend and Backend)
● Cost: $10,000–$50,000
● What it covers:
○ Frontend: Coding the visual design into a functional website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
○ Backend: Building the content management system (CMS) to manage the encyclopedia's vast content (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or a custom solution).
○ Database setup to store and organize large amounts of information.
○ Search functionality to help users find specific neurodivergent conditions easily.
○ Integration of multimedia (videos, infographics, audio) to enhance understanding.
4. Content Creation and Migration
● Cost: $2,000–$15,000
● What it covers:
○ Writing, editing, and formatting articles about neurodivergent conditions.
○ Hiring subject-matter experts (e.g., psychologists, educators) to ensure accuracy.
○ Migrating existing content (if applicable) to the new site.
○ Creating accessible content (e.g., alt text for images, transcripts for videos).
5. Hosting and Domain
● Cost: $100–$1,000/year
● What it covers:
○ Domain name: Currently employing "NDcampus.org" – and "AutismU.org" specifically for autism. Including the individual neurodivergence website names allows for promotion through entities that serve that neurodivergence. Often providers or researchers refer their clients to resources for that specific condition which many do not recognize as a "neurodivergent condition" or "neurodivergence". Therefore, having the condition in the name helps traffic to the overall site. Example: Attention-Academy.org or ADHD.info.
○ Hosting: Server space to store the website's files and make it accessible online. For a dense site, you may need premium hosting to handle traffic and large files.
6. Security and Compliance
● Cost: $500–$5,000
● What it covers:
○ SSL Certificate: Encrypts data to protect user privacy (essential for any website).
○ GDPR/ADA Compliance: Ensures the site meets legal requirements for accessibility and data protection.
○ Regular security audits to prevent hacking or data breaches.
7. Maintenance and Updates
● Cost: $500–$3,000/month (or $5,000–$20,000/year)
● What it covers:
○ Regular updates to the CMS, plugins, and security features.
○ Adding new content or updating existing articles as research evolves.
○ Technical support for fixing bugs or issues.
8. Marketing and SEO
● Cost: $1,000–$10,000/year
● What it covers:
○ Search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure the site ranks well for terms like "neurodivergent conditions."
○ Social media integration to share content widely.
○ Email marketing tools to engage with users.
9. Additional Features
● Cost: Varies (e.g., $2,000–$10,000 per feature)
● What it covers:
○ Interactive Tools: Quizzes, self-assessments, or chatbots to help users.
○ Community Forum: A space for users to discuss neurodivergence.
○ Donation Portal: For fundraising as a non-profit.
Total Estimated Cost of the Concept Above
Creating a comprehensive website for a non-profit that serves as an online encyclopedia of neurodivergent conditions involves several key cost categories
Planning and Discovery typically ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, covering initial research, user needs assessment, and project scoping.
Design costs between $5,000 and $20,000, including wireframing, UI/UX design, and branding to ensure accessibility and user-friendliness.
Development, the most expensive phase, ranges from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the complexity of the site, database integration, and custom features.
Content creation (writing, editing, and organizing information) can cost $2,000 to $15,000, especially for a dense, research-backed resource.
Hosting and Domain expenses are $100 to $1,000 annually, scaling with traffic and storage needs.
Security and Compliance (e.g., SSL certificates, data protection) may cost $500 to $5,000, critical for handling sensitive information.
Ongoing Maintenance (updates, backups, troubleshooting) runs $5,000 to $20,000 per year.
Marketing and SEO (to reach the target audience) ranges from $1,000 to $10,000 annually.
Finally, Additional Features (e.g., interactive tools, forums, or multilingual support) can add $2,000 to $10,000 per feature.
Total costs vary widely but could fall between $30,000 and $150,000+ for a high-quality, scalable site.
Total Range: $30,000–$150,000+ (depending on complexity and scale).
Tips to Reduce Costs
1. Use Open-Source CMS: Platforms like WordPress or Drupal can lower development costs.
2. Prioritize Features: Start with essential features and add others later.
3. Apply for Grants: Many foundations fund non-profit digital projects.
4. Volunteer Help: Engage pro bono designers or developers and continue using Catchafire volunteers for advice.
Qualifications
Founder & Executive Director
Executive Director - Stephanie Tharp
Stephanie is part of the administrative support team at UVA's Virginia Institute of Government (Weldon Cooper Center). She recently served as an Education and Outreach Coordinator, also known as a "Family Navigator" for autism support at UVA, where she assisted families with newly diagnosed children while implementing creative statewide strategies. Her diverse career includes roles in project management, teaching, customer service, website design, and entrepreneurship. She holds a master's degree in teaching from the University of Virginia and a bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. As the Founder and Executive Director of Neurodivergence Campus, Stephanie will lead the team in the decision-making process for website design, research, and grant writing.
Board of Directors
Board Member – Marian Toledo Candelaria
Dr. Toledo Candelaria will soon join the University of Missouri Libraries as the Head of Special Collections. Previously, she served as the Manager for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the UVA School of Education and Human Development. Her professional experience also includes roles as Program Manager for Rare Book School and Writing and Multimodal Communication Specialist at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Toledo Candelaria holds a PhD in History and Scottish Studies from the University of Guelph, as well as an MSLIS from Simmons University. Marian's commitment to inclusivity makes her an excellent fit for Neurodivergence Campus.
Board Member – Kelly Garrett
Kelly is the Program Coordinator for the Virginia Education Science Training (VEST) program at UVA's School of Education and Human Development. She began her career as a high school English teacher, earned an MEd from Penn State University, and continues to be passionate about K-12 education. Before joining UVA, Kelly spent 20 years as an instructional designer and technical writer. Her background in education and her editorial skills will greatly benefit the website.
Board Member – Gabriela Garcia Largen
Gabriela is a Senior Director in the Service & Experience Department at the University of Virginia's Department of Human Resources. Her work focuses on improving response times to inquiries, reducing the time required to resolve complex issues, minimizing transaction errors, and enhancing self-service support frameworks. She also has extensive experience in complex, challenging international manufacturing and corporate environments. Gabriela is bilingual in English and Spanish. Her recent professional development in "design thinking" demonstrates her commitment to innovative trends that yield results in large-scale operations, making her well-suited for website development initiatives.
Conclusion
Neurodiverse Endeavors, operating as "Neurodivergence Campus," is dedicated to creating an inclusive, comprehensive, free and accessible online resource for neurodivergent individuals, their families, professionals and communities. The funding we seek is essential to cover the costs associated with website design and labor, enabling us to build a platform that addresses the diverse needs of the community.
Our website, ND Campus, aims to provide free, high-quality information on neurodivergences such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, presented under the broader concept of neurodiversity. This approach not only supports families and professionals in our local area but extends our reach globally, offering valuable resources to individuals across continents.
The Neurodivergence Campus project aligns with your program's goals by addressing the inequities faced by local individuals, their families, professionals and communities. Our inclusive and comprehensive approach ensures that the website serves as a centralized resource, providing clarity and guidance for those navigating the complexities of neurodivergent conditions. With the wisdom and experience of our team, we are well-positioned to lead this initiative, leveraging our deep understanding of the challenges and needs of our focus community.
Our Board, composed of individuals with personal connections to neurodivergences (or skills that will help shape the project), is committed to co-creating and informing our response efforts. Their firsthand experiences and professional expertise ensure that our platform is both empathetic and effective in addressing the needs of our users.
With your support, Neurodivergence Campus can become a transformative resource. Thank you for considering our proposal for funding. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of countless individuals and contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society, locally and beyond.
Stephanie Tharp
Executive Director, Neurodiverse Endeavors