Supermarkets are often bustling places, meaning it can be overwhelming for people on the autism spectrum and those who care for them. With Dakota Blue Richards, Karl Davies, Jack McMullen, Brigitte Millar. Coles partnered with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) in developing the program to help support customers who are, or have family members, on the autism spectrum. “if the music was already down,  and lights at an appropriate level in the first place, then we wouldn’t even be having this discussion”. Plus all the parents/family members who support us but also work and have their own things to do. These changes are designed to help make a difference to customers who find it challenging to shop in a heightened-sensory environment. Register and scanner volumes will be reduced to the lowest level. The bus pulls up outside the shopping centre. Directed by Stéphanie Joalland. Our 'Quieter Hour' takes place every Saturday in all stores from 9-10am. Music lighting bright displays are designed to heighten your anxiety so you buy more.” Coles is at the other end of the centre. Countdown began quiet hour after a team member who has an autistic child made the suggestion. Dialog Start. Help lower the cost of your shop with our weekly half price specials, Down Downs and catalogue deals. Get the catalogue delivered straight to your inbox, Find a store nearby based on your location. Also, why was 10:30am-11:30am on Tuesdays chosen, given the amount of autistic kids at school, and also autistic adults who may be studying/working or (participating) in other activities? I then decided to open some discussions with Coles, tweeting: reduced to a minimum. For this one hour a week, lights are dimmed to half the usual levels, the radio is turned off, and checkout scanner volume. We’ll ensure this is shared with our teams for their consideration.” I put these thoughts on my personal Facebook account, and had some really good discussions with some of my autistic friends. By Amaze employee Joel Wilson, who is an autistic adult in his 30s and is studying for a Communications and Media Studies degree. Geraldine Robertson, Chairperson of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand, wrote: “Universal design is good design for people and inclusive of both able-bodied shoppers and shoppers with disabilities, including Autism. Quiet Hour occurs in these stores every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30am. I’m on the bus. I never have, and I’ll never be able to. As you can see, just getting to the supermarket involves many planned steps, and having one of those go wrong can result in my flight mode, where I just give up and leave shopping for later in the day, or another day altogether, which isn’t helpful when sensory access is only one hour a week. Coles to introduce ‘Quiet Hour’ in supermarkets from today November 21, 2017 7:20 am in National , The Loop List 6 by Shanee Dobeson WANT TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS ADVERTISED HERE? Have you managed to attend Quiet Hour? Lights are dimmed, volumes on checkouts turned down and music turned off. Manly … “giving us 1 hour a week where shopping is tolerable for us….how  is that concept accessible in itself”? I have autistic friends who prefer shopping in supermarkets in the current standard environment settings. By making a few small changes and creating a quiet hour, we hope we can make a big difference," Hannifin said. I therefore question how accessible 10:30-11:30am on a Tuesday is. However when it comes to Asda's Sefton Park Superstore an hour before closing times tends to be much quieter. A couple of weeks ago, Coles announced they were expanding their Quiet Hour initiative, taking the number of participating stores from 68 to 173. Banora Point. Makes it a little better”. ... a Maltese NGO, introduced a weekly ‘quiet hour’ starting off on April 2nd between 3pm and 5pm. Tara Gordon said that it’s very tokenistic. Although reasonably busy on Monday afternoons, with 1pm on average being listed … I’d like the retail sector to start ensuring autistic people, as well as others with sensory needs, are included in accessibility discussions, and  move away from the current “let’s overstimulate customers senses to lure them in” model, and start making the stores feel welcoming to everyone. Which means I have to take a raincoat or umbrella and navigate the icky feelings of getting wet. Castle Hill. Camilla Birthisel agrees that one Quiet Hour a week is still not fully addressing the issue Goulburn. Tim wrote: In response to customer feedback, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) in partnership with Coles, has rolled out "Quiet Hour" in 68 supermarket stores today to make the shopping experience a little easier. Last week, a major supermarket announced that it would pilot an ‘autism-friendly’ quiet hour scheme by trialling it for six weeks in one of its stores. Online shopping creates its own access issues. Finally, one of my friends who isn’t autistic also commented. Across the board, Tesco supermarkets tend to follow the same pattern. However, I don’t think one hour a week is the best option. From October 23, Countdown, one of New Zealand's largest supermarkets, is starting a "quiet hour" once a … 9.15am: I don’t drive.  @Coles: I’m sure I asked last year, but why aren’t all stores implementing Quiet Hour? “Shops are designed to overstimulate by retail psychologists. Quiet Hour is just another way we are achieving good things in our communities and for our customers and team members. The idea is for shops to provide one hour (more if possible) during that week where they make small changes to support autistic customers. I would also like to share this opinion piece by West Australian autistic woman Georgie Elle, who shares her thoughts on Quiet Hour If I go home to get them there isn’t another bus that will get me to Coles in time for Quiet Hour. The idea for quiet hour emerged last year when Dinnan was looking for ways to help the community in the rural North Island town of Marton, where she was managing the local supermarket at the time. In response to customer feedback, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) in partnership with Coles, has rolled out "Quiet Hour" in 68 supermarket stores today to make the shopping experience a little easier. Tesco is not the first supermarket to trial an autism-friendly hour – Asda staged a “quiet hour” to help autistic and disabled shoppers in May. A small number of Countdown supermarkets began offering quiet hours last … Epping. The supermarket's 24-hour stores will from Tuesday night open only between 6am and 10pm to give staff more time to restock the shelves, which are being depleted quickly as shoppers stockpile. Kings Langley. In 2019 Autism Hour will take place from Saturday 5th October – Saturday 12th October. Supermarkets are normally noisy, busy places with bright lights, computers, in-store music and escalators. Supermarket Starts 'Quiet Hour' for Customers with Autism. “Shopping is a baffling ordeal for the larger community. Quiet Hour occurs in these stores every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30am. Also if you don’t have autism and would like to comment please do so. Whilst Coles may think they’re doing something great, and no doubt there are some families and autistic people who can attend Tuesday mornings and find it accessible, there’s a bigger story that is not being told here. For this one hour a week, lights are dimmed to half the usual levels, the radio is turned off, and checkout scanner volume. Supermarket chain Morrisons has introduced a weekly "quieter hour" for autistic shoppers who struggle with music and noise. To make … I know plenty of autistic people who drive, and plenty who don’t. For the sake of this explanation, let’s say I am free to go shopping for groceries 10:30-11:30 on Tuesday mornings. Woolworths Online supports the Responsible Service of Alcohol. Additional team members will be available to support customers. An Australian supermarket has introduced a quiet hour to help those stressed by noise pick up their groceries. A trial in August last year received massive support from parents of autistic children and is now being offered in 103 more stores — 56 in New South Wales, 27 in Queensland and 20 in Western Australia — every Tuesday from 10.30am … From October 23, Countdown, one of New Zealand's largest supermarkets, is starting a "quiet hour" once a … I walk past Woolworths, who have staff out collecting trolleys, and as usual have their self-serve checkouts set to maximum volume. During Quiet Hour, customers will notice the following changes in participating Coles supermarkets: Our team members at participating stores are enthusiastic about the initiative and love offering Quiet Hour to customers who might benefit from the experience. Use the ESC key to close, or press the close button. Caringbah. Bugger, I forgot my reusable bags. Woolworths rolls out Quiet Hour to select stores across Australia Friday, 23 August 2019: Following a successful trial period in NSW and the ACT, more than 260 stores across Australia will now offer the low-sensory Quiet Hour to customers. Quietest times to go to the supermarket - how to avoid queues and crowds Here are the best times to shop at UK supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons mirror We've introduced a 'Quieter Hour' in all Morrisons stores - designed help customers who currently struggle with music and the other noise associated with supermarket shopping. Brighton-Le-Sands. There won’t be any trolley collections during this time, staff won’t stock shelves, and announcements made over the PA system will be kept for emergencies. And then I remember: none of the Coles in my area participates in Quiet Hour. A couple of weeks ago, Coles announced they were expanding their Quiet Hour initiative, taking the number of participating stores from 68 to 173. Then there are all the autistic kids at school, whether it be in classrooms or home-schooled. It’s raining outside. For an hour on Saturdays, a British supermarket chain is introducing a weekly “quieter hour” aimed at helping people with autism have a better shopping experience by easing sensory overload. Morrisons has introduced a quiet hour in all of its stores this week as part of World Autism Awareness Week.. If people with sensory processing issues could access the community at any time? Decisions… Asda held a 'quiet hour' for autistic shoppers – now other shops are doing the same. Now I’m not saying I have an answer. Below is the standard process for me getting to my nearest Coles. Coles is planning on making shopping easier for people with autism by introducing ‘Quiet Hour’ at 68 supermarkets around the country from Tuesday. For all liquor orders processed, Woolworths Group is acting as an agent on behalf of Endeavour Group Limited (ABN 77 159 767 843). It’s now over to you for your thoughts. We suggest that an inclusive, people friendly environment has the potential to generate profit and be emotionally and physically beneficial for all humans, empowering Autistics to take part on the same basis as the rest of the population.” Quiet Hour Times; Manly Vale: 12 - 14 Koorala St: 02 9949 1600: Tuesday between 10:30-11:30am: Warriewood: Jacksons Rd: 02 9913 1400: Tuesday between 10:30-11:30am: Manly Peninsula: Wentworth St & Darley Rd: 02 9976 6377: Tuesday between 10:30-11:30am: CastleHill: Old Castle Hill Rd: 02 9680 2022: Tuesday between 10:30-11:30am: Rouse Hill: Windsor Rd & Commercial Rd: 02 8801 3600 QUIET HOUR LOCATIONS • NEW SOUTH WALES. “thanks for your feedback, Joel. Coles have also said they have trained staff to support people with autism and their families. If I buy some at Coles, then my budget is all out of whack. Katherine then linked to an article which explains the Gruen effect In the aftermath of an alien invasion, a feisty teenage girl sets out to protect her farm from human scavengers who will stop at nothing in order to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. I get to Coles. Quiet Hour provides a low-sensory shopping experience by making changes in store, such as reducing noise and distractions. Roll cages will be removed from the shop floor. Bega. As an autistic adult, I am aware of not only my own time schedules, but also that other autistic adults work, study and participate in other activities during the day. Inverell. Many people suffer from […] Its 439 UK stores will dim lights, turn music off, avoid using the tannoy and turn check-out beeps down on Saturdays from 09:00 to 10:00. No PA announcements will be made except in the case of emergencies. 61 Mornington Tyabb Road, Mornington 3931, Cnr Ballarat Rd, Burke And Butler Streets. Lisarow. A supermarket chain in NZ, Countdown, has started doing a quiet hour where they turn down the store lights, and don't have any music/announcements over the speaker system for one hour every week. Its three stores in Mellieha, Naxxar and Pendergardens will avoid noise and dim the lights in all three supermarkets … I put headphones on, tune out, and go at my own pace. ASAN recognises that the core business of a supermarket is to generate profit. Yes an hour is not ideal and will not be a suitable time for everyone but it is a step in the right direction. Others can’t. © Copyright Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd. Valyou Supermarkets brings in weekly ‘quiet hour’ for autistic shopping. Shopping can be stressful and tiring for most of us but for some it can be almost unbearable. If you are autistic or a parent/friend/mentor to an autistic person, do you think it met your needs? They can be full of customers rushing around with trolleys and staff bringing stock around on big pallets. Coles replied a couple of hours later: The supermarket chain expanded its Quiet Hour to an additional 103 supermarkets across Australia to provide a “more inclusive* shopping environment for all customers”. The way it’s being promoted is that I can step into a Coles store and everything will go smoothly, and I’ll be relaxed the whole time. Supermarket Starts 'Quiet Hour' for Customers with Autism. It’s nice if one supermarket does it for a set period of time a week, but how much more inclusive would it be if all supermarkets, and shops in retail for that matter, did their bit to create inclusive environments? Web design/development by Stokes Street Studio, Please enter your email address or phone number, Going to the GP about your mental health – a guide for autistic women, Why I question the supermarket Quiet Hour concept: It's not as accessible as many people think, The full ASAN AUNZ Statement can be read on Facebook, Katherine then linked to an article which explains the Gruen effect, I would also like to share this opinion piece by West Australian autistic woman Georgie Elle, who shares her thoughts on Quiet Hour. That’s because of my eyesight though. If only it was that easy. Why? I believe the whole experience needs to be looked at. This new initiative has been created with the support of the National Autistic Society. I’m going to discuss getting to the supermarket. Quiet hour for Tesco shoppers: Supermarket giant is trialing a no noise policy to help people with autism do their shopping. Past all the bright, loud, smelly shops that don’t participate in Quiet Hour. All of these comments can be related back to something Katharine Annear stated Escalators, in-store music and display TVs were all turned off during the quiet hour The full ASAN AUNZ Statement can be read on Facebook