Open framework. Simple terms.
NEI is published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0). Anyone may use it — in bond frameworks, workplace programs, research, or analysis — provided attribution is given. Commercial services built around NEI require permission.
Overview
NEI is published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
Anyone may use NEI indicators in frameworks, reports, analysis, and internal
organizational practices provided attribution is given.
Commercial services built around NEI — such as consulting, certification,
training, or commercial software products — require permission from the project.
The distinction is simple: using the framework is open. Selling services based on the framework requires permission. The aim is to maximize adoption while ensuring the project can prevent commercial exploitation.
Base license — CC BY 4.0
The NEI taxonomy, indicators, proposals, and associated documentation are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Under CC BY 4.0 you may
- Share — copy and redistribute NEI in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon NEI
- Use commercially — incorporate NEI into commercial work
- Use internally — implement NEI inside your organization
- Reference — cite NEI in frameworks, reports, and filings
Under one condition
- Attribution — credit atypical.business as the source, link to the license, and indicate if you made changes. See How to attribute NEI below.
There is no NonCommercial restriction on the base license. Bond issuers, banks, SPO providers, investors, and corporations may use NEI freely under CC BY 4.0.
Commercial services — permission required
While the framework itself is open, certain commercial services built around NEI require permission. This is a separate condition, not part of CC BY 4.0 — it is an additional term that applies to commercial service providers.
Permission is required to offer:
| Commercial service | Permission required? |
|---|---|
| Consulting services marketed specifically as NEI advisory | Yes |
| NEI-based certification or audit services | Yes |
| NEI-branded training or accreditation | Yes |
| Software products built primarily around NEI indicators | Yes |
| Services that imply official NEI endorsement or partnership | Yes |
| Paid products or services competing with atypical.business around NEI | Yes |
If you are unsure whether your intended use requires permission, reach out and ask. The intent is to support broad adoption — not to restrict legitimate use.
Uses that do not require permission
The following uses are explicitly encouraged and do not require permission beyond the attribution requirement of CC BY 4.0.
Sustainable finance
Use NEI in social bond frameworks, sustainability bond frameworks, green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, social loans, and associated transaction documentation.
Second-party opinions
SPO providers may reference, apply, and cite NEI indicators as part of their assessment methodology without restriction.
Investor analysis
Institutional investors may incorporate NEI into ESG analysis, issuance evaluation, and internal reporting frameworks.
Corporate implementation
Organizations may use NEI internally to assess, improve, and report on workplace neurodivergent enablement — including for ESG and DEI reporting.
Research and policy
Academic research, non-commercial policy development, and standards work may freely use, adapt, and cite NEI.
General advisory
Advisers and consultants may reference and apply NEI as part of broader consulting engagements — permission is only required when NEI itself is the primary commercial offering.
If you are using NEI in a bond, loan, SPO, corporate program, or investor analysis, you do not need permission. We would appreciate a notification so we can track implementations. See below.
Notify us or request permission
Using NEI in a bond, loan, SPO, or workplace program?
No permission needed. Select your type of use and fill in the form — we appreciate knowing how NEI is being used. Notifications help us track and share real-world implementations.
Offering commercial services based on NEI?
Select "Commercial service (requires permission)" as your type of use. We aim to respond within a few business days. Granting permission for most requests does not require a formal agreement — email confirmation is sufficient.
For licensing enquiries not covered by this form: licensing@atypical.business
How to attribute NEI
CC BY 4.0 requires attribution when you share or reproduce NEI content. Here are the suggested formats depending on context.
In a document or report
Source: Neurodivergent Enablement Indicators (NEI), atypical.business. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
In a bond or loan framework
Neurodivergent Enablement Indicators (NEI), atypical.business (atypical.business/nei/). Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
In academic work
Howard, I. & atypical.business (2026). Neurodivergent Enablement Indicators (NEI). https://atypical.business/nei/
For formal citation formats (APA, Chicago, BibTeX), see the
Citation page.
When referencing a specific indicator, include the indicator ID and version —
for example, NDI-hgbbzn-v1.
Supporting the project
The most valuable way to support NEI right now is to use it, cite it, and tell us about your use. Every implementation strengthens the case for the framework and helps us improve it.
If you are using NEI in a transaction, publication, or workplace program and would like to acknowledge it publicly, we appreciate that — it raises the visibility of the framework and helps others discover it.
Financial support arrangements may be available in the future. If you are interested in supporting the project as a sponsor or funding partner, please mention this when you contact us.