Toward Inclusive Practice: Opportunities to Involve Neurodivergent People in Business Software Developing SMEs

Abstract Technology is mainly developed by and designed for neurotypical people. Although neurodivergent perspectives are increasingly included in research projects, accessibility within industrial contexts remains insufficiently addressed. This work focuses on (1) work technologies developed in (2) small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), both largely unattended aspects of accessibility research. Our project aims to enhance workplace participation by analyzing situated practices within industry settings. We examine how everyday reasoning processes shape decisions around accessibility, moving beyond explanations based solely on limited awareness or resources. Data collected through questionnaires and interviews with software development companies reveal reasoning patterns that currently hinder opportunities for neurodivergent individuals to structurally be part of the development process. Our data show that SMEs provide unique opportunities in their development processes to cater for individuality within the neurodiversity discussion. However, we identified three mutually reinforcing layers of argumentation that keep neurodiversity considerations at a case-by-case level: (1) accessibility perceived as irrelevant for B2B industries, due to an assumed lack of neurodivergent workforce; (2) the belief that existing individualized approaches already suffice to address neurodiversity requirements; and (3) the perception that repeated structural involvement contradicts these individualized views. To improve actual practice, a deeper understanding of the situated nature of SME work is required, including both its constraints and possibilities as well as underlying societal biases. Addressing all three argumentation layers is essential for increasing initiatives to involve neurodivergent individuals and hence provide workable solutions that recognize structural barriers.