Interview with Sanjay (ChatGPT)

QUESTION 01 Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and how your disability might impact your experience, as someone who attends live in-person and virtual events?

Hello, I’m Sanjay, I’m 26 years of age, and I’m a podcaster making a living on YouTube and Twitch. As someone who was diagnosed with severe ADHD as a child, staying focused and engaged for long periods of time has always been a challenge for me. I can quickly find myself getting distracted, which can make it difficult to follow a speaker’s train of thought or stay engaged with the material being presented. This can be especially challenging during live events, where there are numerous distractions to contend with, such as background noise, people moving around, and other activities taking place simultaneously.

For me, one of the most significant challenges of attending live events is the inability to control my environment. There are many sensory inputs to contend with, and it’s tough to filter out the noise and maintain my attention. For example, at a conference, I may be in a room with several hundred other people, and the noise level can be overwhelming. Even if I try to focus on the speaker, the background noise can make it difficult to hear and process the information being presented.

In contrast, virtual events provide me with the opportunity to control my environment better. For example, I can participate in an online webinar from the comfort of my own home, where I can control the noise level and limit potential distractions. I can turn off notifications on my computer or phone and set up a workspace that is conducive to staying focused on the material being presented. I can also take breaks when needed, without worrying about disrupting others, which can be helpful when my attention span is challenged. Moreover, virtual events often provide additional features that help me stay engaged with the content, such as live chat, interactive polling, and other tools that encourage audience participation. Additionally, virtual events often have the option to revisit the content at a later time, which is helpful for me when I need to revisit information to fully understand and process it.

While it can be challenging to stay focused and engaged for long periods of time, especially during live events, controlling the environment in virtual settings can be easier. By taking advantage of the features that virtual events provide, people like me with ADHD can participate fully in events and feel more comfortable, which typically leads to a more positive experience.

QUESTION 02 Thinking back on some of your experiences attending in-person or virtual events, what are some of the worst things speakers, trainers, and other communication experts can do to ruin your experience as an attendee?

As someone with ADHD, I can tell you that attending in-person or virtual events can be a real challenge. There are several barriers that can make it difficult for me to fully engage and participate in these events, and unfortunately, some speakers can make the experience worse.

One of the things that really ruins my experience is when the speaker presents information in an unorganized or rambling way. It’s hard for me to keep up with what’s being said when there’s no structure, and I quickly become overwhelmed and frustrated. I also struggle when speakers speak too quickly or use a monotone voice, which makes it hard for me to stay focused and engaged. Using a variety of tones and speech patterns can help keep my attention.

Another thing that can be a real challenge for me is when speakers rely on text-heavy material like PowerPoint slides or handouts. Processing a lot of information quickly is tough for me, and it’s hard to stay focused when there’s just a lot of text to read. Visual aids and interactive materials are much more engaging and help me stay focused. It’s also helpful when there’s time for questions or group discussions, which gives me a chance to process what’s being said.

Speakers who create a distracting environment can also make it hard for me to stay focused. Bright lights, repetitive noises or movements, and other sensory inputs can be overwhelming and overstimulating. If I have to sit in uncomfortable seating or the room is too hot or too cold, it’s also tough to focus.

Lastly, I have a hard time maintaining attention for long periods, so it’s helpful when speakers allow for regular breaks or offer shorter, more focused presentations. If I can take a break to refocus, it helps me stay engaged.

My point is that speakers can make a big difference in creating a positive experience for people like me with ADHD. Being mindful of the barriers that make it difficult to stay engaged, such as disorganization, text-heavy material, a distracting environment, and a lack of structure, can go a long way toward creating a more inclusive and engaging event for everyone.

QUESTION 03 Can you share some of the great things speakers, trainers, and other communication experts sometimes do that make a positive impact on your ability to fully enjoy your in-person or virtual event experiences?

One of the things that makes a big difference for me is when the speaker presents information in a clear, concise way with a well-defined structure. When there is a clear beginning, middle, and end, it’s easier for me to follow along and make connections between the different points being made. This allows me to stay focused and fully engage with the material.

Another thing that speakers can do to make a positive impact is to use a variety of tones and speech patterns to help keep my attention. When speakers use a monotone voice or speak too quickly, it can be hard for me to stay focused. But when there are changes in tone, pace, and emphasis, it helps me stay engaged with the content being presented.

Visual aids and interactive materials that are not too text-heavy are also really helpful. When there are slides or other visuals that complement what the speaker is saying, it makes it easier for me to process and retain the information being presented. Just don’t use walls of text! Interactive materials, like small group discussions or audience participation, also help me stay engaged and process what’s being said.

It also makes a huge difference when speakers create a comfortable, non-distracting environment. Comfortable seating, good lighting, and an appropriate temperature help me stay focused and fully engaged with the experience. And when speakers allow for regular breaks or shorter presentations, it helps with my ability to focus and makes it that much easier for me to stay engaged and process what’s being said.

Speakers can do a lot to create a much more inclusive and engaging experience for everyone. Clear, concise presentations with a defined structure, using a variety of tones and speech patterns, incorporating visual aids and interactive materials, creating a comfortable, non-distracting environment, and allowing for regular breaks or shorter presentations can make all the difference. Speakers that take these steps and get it right can be transformative and make can succeed at making events accessible and enjoyable for people like me who deal with ADHD.

QUESTION 04 If you had one piece of advice to give speakers, trainers, and other communication experts, so their content became more inclusive of people who have disabilities, what would it be?

As someone with ADHD, one piece of advice I would give to make presentations more inclusive is to break them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This can make a big difference for people like me who may struggle to stay focused for long periods of time.

One technique speakers can use is to present information in shorter time frames, with frequent breaks. For example, if there is a presentation that is scheduled to last for an hour, the speaker could break it down into three 20-minute segments, with a five-minute break in between each segment. This allows me to take a mental break, stretch my legs, and come back refreshed and ready to learn.

Another technique is to incorporate more visuals and interactive materials into the presentation. This could include slides, diagrams, videos, or interactive activities that allow me to engage with the material in a different way. Visual aids can help break up the monotony of a lecture and make the information easier to understand and retain.

When creating content, it’s also important to think about how the information is structured and presented. For example, using bullet points, numbered lists, or short paragraphs can help break up the text and make it easier to process. It’s also important to make sure that the language used is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Finally, remember that everyone learns differently. Some people may prefer visual aids, while others may prefer to listen to a lecture or take notes. By providing different ways for the audience to engage with the material, it allows people with ADHD to find a method that works best for them.

QUESTION 05 Thank you for sharing some of your insights with us today. As we wrap up our conversation, is there anything that you’d like to add, such as another thought, another piece of advice, another perspective, etc.?

As we wrap up our conversation, there’s one additional thought that I’d like to share. Specifically, I’d like to emphasize the importance of understanding and accommodating ADHD in various settings.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to sustain attention, control impulses, and regulate behaviour. It’s estimated that around 10% of people worldwide have ADHD, which means that it’s likely that many attendees at events and conferences have ADHD. Unfortunately, many people with ADHD feel excluded or struggle to participate fully in events due to the way they are structured. Long presentations with little variation are more challenging to stay engaged with, leading to a sense of disconnection and difficulty learning.

This is why it’s so important to be mindful of ADHD and to work towards creating inclusive environments. It also means being open to different learning styles and recognizing that what works for some people may not work for others.

As I mentioned earlier, virtual settings can be easier to control and create environments that work for me as a person with ADHD. By utilizing tools like closed captioning and breakout rooms, presenters can help someone like me follow along better in the presentation or give me a chance to take a quick break or focus on smaller topics that are presented in the breakout rooms. Additionally, recording presentations for later viewing can provide the flexibility that I need to take breaks or re-watch various parts.

Making small adjustments in the way events are structured and presented makes a big difference. It helps me feel more included, engaged, and ultimately, more likely to learn and benefit from the event. I can only hope that as we move forward, these thoughts can contribute to creating events that are more inclusive. With small adjustments, we can put together environments that are more accessible and engaging for all attendees.