Organizing Inclusive Events as a Public Relations Strategy: Key Considerations for Attendees with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This study explores the challenges that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face when attending or participating in event planning. While diversity and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have gained attention in recent years, conditions like ASD are still often overlooked by European organizations --especially in Spain --when planning public relations and communication strategies, including event organization. This research focuses on identifying the changes organizations should make to create more inclusive events. It has two main objectives: first, to identify the barriers that people with ASD face when accessing and participating in events; and second, to propose strategies for hosting more inclusive events for individuals with ASD. To achieve this, the study used a descriptive cross-sectional approach. A questionnaire was distributed to families of individuals with ASD through national autism associations, and an in-depth semi-structured interview was conducted with an expert to validate the findings.