Feeling truly welcome anywhere is comforting. Entering a place and feeling at ease, at home is priceless. Regardless of age or abilities, everyone understands the thoughts and feelings associated with being welcomed or embraced.
There has been recent emphasis within disability advocacy for acceptance in addition to awareness. Community awareness of challenges associated with disabilities serves disability populations by improving understanding of special needs. Community acceptance goes a step further highlighting efforts in the community to welcome, invite and accommodate those living with challenges. Not unlike environmental accommodations for those with physical and mobility challenges, environmental accommodations for sensory challenges are gaining attention.
Families living with autism often report that community outings are problematic and take considerable preparation. Because of this, the threat of isolation is an ongoing issue for autism families. At times, a child or adult with sensory challenges may exhibit disruptive behaviors related to sensory overstimulation that make outings challenging or near impossible.
Sensory Friendly or Autism Friendly is an initiative by the Autism Society of AL and the Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council to assist businesses and facilities in AL to be more inviting to patrons who live with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The goal of the initiative is to assist public establishments in removing barriers to visits by those with autism or sensory processing disorder. In addition, business managers and community leaders are coached to add environmental features that may make an encounter for someone with autism more comfortable.
Regions Bank is a leader in Autism Friendly efforts. The bank has incorporated Autism Friendly elements in Regions’ 1,600 branches in the South. Regions branch staff have been briefed about the special needs of autism patrons. Branches are equipped with sensory kits that may assist autism customers or children of customers. Many branches have an identified quiet space for patrons who may need a space to take a break or decompress for a moment. Regions Bank is a shining example of the direction many businesses will be taking to meet the needs of families who have daily challenges.
Autism Friendly establishments are conveying a message of inclusion, that all are welcome and efforts will be made to address the needs of customers. It is a new kind of customer service; a customer service that is above and beyond what might be expected.
In the Birmingham area, Autism Society of AL has consulted with many businesses and public organizations regarding sensory friendly environmental accommodations. The following is list of a few of the businesses, facilities and organizations:
- Movie theaters
- Regions Bank
- Birmingham Zoo
- Barons Baseball
- Public libraries
- Churches and synagogues
- Stores including Toys R Us and Target
- Red Mountain Theater Company
- Birmingham Museum of Art
- Restaurants
- Hair salons
- McWane Science Center
- Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport
- Chuck E Cheese
- UAB, BSC sporting events
How does a business become Autism Friendly? It may be different for each environment but there are core features. These include:
- Signage indicating a business is sensory friendly
- Training or briefing of staff on the needs of those with sensory issues
- Designated quiet space to be used during times of distress or overstimulation
- Sensory toys or manipulatives to calm patrons
- Headphones or earplugs might be available to decrease auditory sensory input
- Manipulation of lighting or sensory stimuli when appropriate
At Autism Society of AL, we have been encouraged by the enthusiasm of public businesses and organizations to meet the needs of those living with sensory processing issues. If there is a place you frequent that might alter their environment slightly to make your child or loved one more comfortable, just ask. You might be surprised that managers, owners, coordinators, pastors and other leaders may be more than willing to listen to your needs and respond as they are able.
Like any parent I dream about the world my son will inherit. I often enter a disability accessible entrance to a public building and I consider the advocates before me who pioneered accommodations for those with physical limitations.
I picture the not-so-distant future when I enter any public place and see the sensory accommodation signage and am met with opportunities to enrich my son’s visit so that he can enjoy every aspect of his community alongside his nondisabled peers.
For more information about assisting your favorite businesses, restaurants, church or entertainment spot in becoming Autism Friendly or Disability Friendly, please contact the Autism Society of Alabama at www.autism-alabama.org, Facebook Jerry ASA, Instagram or Twitter @autismsocietyAL.
Bama Hager, Ph.D., is the parent of a teen son living with Autism and program director, Autism Society of AL.