Starting from Monday, Aldi stores in Cork will roll out autism-friendly shopping hours to create a more inclusive environment for people with autism. The move follows a successful trial run in a number of their stores across the UK and Ireland earlier this year. During these designated hours, store lighting will be dimmed, background music will be turned off, and staff will be trained to assist and accommodate the needs of shoppers with autism. This new initiative by Aldi is a positive step towards enhancing the shopping experience for people with autism and promoting inclusivity in our communities.
Starting from Monday, ALDI stores in Cork and all over Ireland will introduce autism-friendly hours every Tuesday evening to accommodate people with autism and disabilities. ALDI Ireland has made an official announcement stating that they will implement autism-friendly measures in all of their stores between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. This decision has come after a successful trial, and the store network, including all 24 Cork stores, will adapt to the new changes beginning from Monday. During these designated hours, ALDI will take measures to lower noise levels in the stores, such as decreasing the volume of scanners, turning off unnecessary announcements, and switching off digital screens, which can contribute to harsh light in stores. Additionally, JAM cards will be used in all stores to enhance accessibility for shoppers. JAM cards are effective in enabling people with autism or other disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in any situation. Store colleagues will also be briefed before the autism-friendly hours to make sure that all additional customer needs are met. Customers can find details of these autism-friendly measures at digital screens or window displays in any ALDI store. Nicola Tipping, a business development manager at NOW Group, says she is “thrilled” to hear about this initiative and hopes more organisations across industries will follow suit to make society more autism-inclusive and neurodiverse friendly.
In conclusion, Aldi’s decision to introduce autism-friendly hours in Cork stores is a step in the right direction for the retail industry. It shows that the company is not only committed to providing quality products but also cares about their customers’ needs. The move is also a win for the autism community, which has been advocating for greater inclusion in public spaces. We hope that other retailers will follow Aldi’s lead and implement similar initiatives to create a more understanding and accommodating shopping experience for autistic individuals and their families. As the saying goes, “when you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism” – so let’s continue to promote acceptance, inclusiveness, and respect for neurodiversity.
