The UK’s first “quiet hour” is to be launched across multiple retailers nationwide to create a more autism-friendly shopping experience.
In a major boost to the National Autistic Society’s awareness campaign, shopping centre owner Intu has partnered with the charity to hold an autism-friendly hour across its 14 centres this October.
Intu will dim lighting and turn down music in shops and restaurants across its centres for 60 minutes on 2 October.
The aim is to prevent information overload often experienced by autistic customers.
Intu joins a number of companies that have worked to create environments beneficial to autistic people.
These include Toys R Us, which received widespread support when it held a “quiet hour” across its stores last October.
Autism, experienced by 700,000 people in the UK, affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people. »