The Impact of the Wikipedia Editing Course for Autistic People

Wikipedia has long been a vibrant, inclusive space that naturally draws people from a diverse range of backgrounds, including those within the neurodivergent community. While exact data is unavailable, anecdotal experience indicates that autistic individuals play a significant role in enhancing and expanding the platform’s content.

Many autistic people find Wikipedia to be a naturally inviting platform. The clear, rules-based structure, combined with an emphasis on detail and accuracy, can be particularly appealing. Wikipedia’s environment encourages focused research, meticulous fact-checking, and consistency—qualities that many autistic individuals possess and excel in. Over the years, autistic editors have contributed in invaluable ways, enriching Wikipedia with content that is not only accurate but also diverse in perspective.

Recognizing this, Wikimedia Israel developed a dedicated Wikipedia Editing Course tailored for autistic people. The goal is to broaden access and facilitate engagement for even more autistic individuals who may benefit from our collaborative community. By providing a structured and accessible introduction, the course aims to support those who might face challenges in joining independently, fostering a smoother entry and sustainable participation in Wikipedia’s editing community.

The Foundation of the Initiative

Wikimedia Israel has been offering Wikipedia editing courses since 2017, primarily targeting retirees. When COVID-19 disrupted in-person classes, the transition to an online format made learning accessible to diverse audiences. By 2023, the potential for reaching autistic people who use speech as their primary communication method became apparent. Their skills in memory, curiosity, and technology are highly compatible with Wikipedia’s core mission.

Since its inception, two successful cohorts of the course have been completed, with the third cycle planned for March 2025. The program’s continuous growth demonstrates its relevance and impact within the neurodivergent community.

Building a Partnership with Reim Program

To ensure that this course meets the specific needs of autistic participants, Wikimedia Israel partnered with the Reim Program, an initiative of the Community Centers Association that supports individuals with complex communication difficulties. This collaboration provided essential support, including marketing, participant selection, and emotional and social guidance throughout the course. This structure allowed participants to feel comfortable, reducing anxiety and fostering a sense of belonging.

Course Structure and Key Adaptations

The course combined an asynchronous learning environment with synchronous meetings and personalized guidance. However, to cater to the unique needs of autistic learners, several adaptations were made:

• Shorter, more focused sessions.
• Systematic explanations with reduced abstract discussions.
• Tools to simplify complex concepts, such as a scoring system for evaluating information sources.

Additionally, instructors and volunteers provided hands-on support, fostering a safe learning environment. Notably, one volunteer—an autistic individual and active Wikipedia editor—played a pivotal role by sharing his experiences, further motivating participants.

Marketing Efforts

Initial efforts to market the course relied on social media, community networks, and collaborations with welfare organizations. A breakthrough came when prominent news outlets, Ynet and Walla, published articles about the course, resulting in a surge of interest. Ultimately, 14 participants joined each cohort, forming diverse groups ranging in age and ability but unified by a shared passion for knowledge.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Building trust in a virtual setting presented some challenges. Participants, coming from various parts of the country, initially found it hard to connect. Communication and ability differences also led to some difficulties. Nonetheless, these challenges offered valuable insights, such as the importance of setting clear boundaries and maintaining an optimal group size for future cohorts. A written participant contract was introduced to clarify expectations, ensuring a respectful and supportive atmosphere.

Volunteers also faced unique challenges; some felt a sense of emotional strain or struggled with communication. Comprehensive training and clear guidelines were identified as essential for helping volunteers feel prepared and supported when working with autistic participants.

Positive Outcomes and Feedback

The course has yielded impressive results, showcasing the participants’ dedication and capabilities. Here is an overview of the achievements from both cohorts:

	First Cohort:	Second Cohort:
Participants	14	14
New Articles Created	2	32
Articles Edited	120	420
Total Edits	401	1.39k
Bytes Added	38.3k	201k
References Added	35	168
Wikimedia Commons Uploads	11	4

The dramatic increase in productivity between the two cohorts reflects the program’s refinement and the growing confidence of participants.

Two-thirds of the participants kept editing Wikipedia after the course ended.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. They expressed gratitude for the skills they gained and the welcoming environment created by Wikimedia Israel and the Reim Program.

Expanding Our Vision

The impact of this initiative was spotlighted at Wikimania Katowice 2024, where we presented the course to over 60 attendees. The presentation sparked interest from other Wikimedia chapters, leading to ongoing collaborations as we share best practices and develop similar programs across different communities.

As we look ahead, we are committed to building on these successes and are open to collaborating with anyone interested in similar initiatives. If you’d like to discuss this project or explore potential partnerships, please contact us at office@wikimedia.org.il.

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Wikipedia is, at its core, a space that embraces and values diverse perspectives and skills. Autistic people have found within it a community where their abilities are appreciated and where they can thrive. Our commitment is to strengthen this welcoming environment so that more autistic individuals can discover the potential for mutual enrichment that Wikipedia offers. By making the entry process smoother and more accessible for new neurodiverse community members, we are not only broadening Wikipedia’s reach but also reinforcing our commitment to a truly inclusive and representative platform.