Selected Coles supermarkets across Australia have introduced a quiet shopping hour, once per week to assist those living with autism.
For a period of 60 minutes every Tuesday night, the lights in each designated Coles store will be dimmed, the music switched off and the register tones turned down to accommodate those wishing to shop in peace.
Coles Accessibility Sponsor Peter Sheean said in an official statement: “At Coles, we are always looking at ways we can meet the differing needs of our customers by creating a shopping environment in which our customers and team members feel comfortable.”
Coles staff members were been given extra training in the lead up to the quiet hour timeslot taking place.
So far, trials of the program have proven to be very successful.
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) Community Engagement and Operations Manager Linzi Coyle said so far there had been a lot of positive feedback received about the experience.