AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Cheetham Hill store is launching disability-friendly hour for people who feel intimidated or stressed by noise and disturbance
The pioneering scheme will see the store open an hour early without electronic distractions such as escalators, music, display TVs and Tannoy announcements. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA
Asda is introducing a “quiet hour” at a Manchester store to help autistic and disabled shoppers.
The Asda Living store in Cheetham Hill is pioneering a disability-friendly hour for people who feel intimidated or stressed by noise and disturbance.
The store will open an hour early without electronic distractions such as escalators, music and display TVs, and the public address system will not be used for announcements.
The manager, Simon Lea, said he wanted to help after seeing a boy with autism struggling to cope in the shop. “I’ve been speaking with colleagues and customers about how we can help shoppers with autism or disabilities.
“I suffered for many years with anxiety and I used to absolutely hate going into busy stores.
“If we can make a few small changes to give these customers a better shopping experience and make them comfortable then I know the store will be a better place to shop for everyone.”
Local autism groups and families can try out the quiet time on Saturday 7 May at 8am, when store staff will be on hand to greet customers.
Lea said: “Last week I posted on Facebook about the idea of a quiet hour. The reaction was absolutely fantastic, people from across the country … were saying what a great idea this was.”
SOURCE: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/25/manchester-asda-quiet-hour-help-autistic-shoppers
Cheetham Hill store is launching disability-friendly hour for people who feel intimidated or stressed by noise and disturbance
The pioneering scheme will see the store open an hour early without electronic distractions such as escalators, music, display TVs and Tannoy announcements. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA
Asda is introducing a “quiet hour” at a Manchester store to help autistic and disabled shoppers.
The Asda Living store in Cheetham Hill is pioneering a disability-friendly hour for people who feel intimidated or stressed by noise and disturbance.
The store will open an hour early without electronic distractions such as escalators, music and display TVs, and the public address system will not be used for announcements.
The manager, Simon Lea, said he wanted to help after seeing a boy with autism struggling to cope in the shop. “I’ve been speaking with colleagues and customers about how we can help shoppers with autism or disabilities.
“I suffered for many years with anxiety and I used to absolutely hate going into busy stores.
“If we can make a few small changes to give these customers a better shopping experience and make them comfortable then I know the store will be a better place to shop for everyone.”
Local autism groups and families can try out the quiet time on Saturday 7 May at 8am, when store staff will be on hand to greet customers.
Lea said: “Last week I posted on Facebook about the idea of a quiet hour. The reaction was absolutely fantastic, people from across the country … were saying what a great idea this was.”
SOURCE: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/25/manchester-asda-quiet-hour-help-autistic-shoppers
