feature
The Coles Ringwood store.
had helped to make a real difference
to our customers’ shopping
experiences.”
Autism Spectrum Australia
(Aspect) Community Engagement
and Operations Manager Linzi Coyle
said Aspect continues to receive a lot
of positive feedback from community
members about Quiet Hour.
Quiet hour
Store lights are dimmed, register and scanner volumes are
reduced to the lowest level, and the radio is switched off …
it’s all part of Quiet Hour at Coles supermarkets.
Q
sensory information and can find
sounds, light, smell, touch and taste
overwhelming. For many individuals
and families, a simple trip to the
shops can be difficult,” she said.
“With autism affecting one in
100 Australians, this low-sensory
uiet Hour is a low-sensory
68 stores around the country.
shopping experience will have a
shopping experience Coles Accessibility Sponsor significant improvement on the lives
that also includes no Peter Sheean said Coles wanted a of many children, young people and
trolley collections and no PA good geographic spread of stores adults on the spectrum, as well as
announcements – and it’s held participating and worked closely with their family members.
every Tuesday morning at 70 Coles Aspect to identify the additional 68 supermarkets across Australia. stores where residents would benefit shopping experience haven’t just
from Quiet Hour. been about creating low physical
Quiet Hour takes place on
Tuesdays from 10.30am to 11.30am to
“At Coles we are always looking
“The modifications to the
and sensory stimulators. Together
help make a difference for customers at ways we can meet the differing with Coles, we’re achieving a ‘no-
who find it challenging to shop in a needs of our customers by creating judgement’ shopping space where
heightened sensory environment. a shopping environment in which our people on the spectrum and their
customers and team members feel families can feel comfortable and
comfortable,” he said. welcome while grocery shopping.
our customers and team members, a participating Coles store and try
have family members, on the autism who welcomed Quiet Hour and sensory-friendly shopping.”
spectrum. provided feedback on social media.
Last year Coles partnered with
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)
to trial Quiet Hour at two Victorian
stores – Ringwood and Balwyn East
– to support customers who are, or
Following the success of the trial,
Quiet Hour was extended to another
34
“People on the autism spectrum
often have difficulty processing
autism
For more information
visit
“We were really pleased to
We encourage anyone who may
dragonpro.com.au/assistive-technology
receive a positive response from
benefit from the experience to visit
Click on CONTACT US for email or call 1300 550 716
For a list of Coles stores offering
It’s fantastic to hear that the changes Quiet Hour every Tuesday, visit:
we made in store during the trial www.autismspectrum.org.au
linkonline.com.au