Coles rolls out ‘Quiet Hour’ across Australia for people on the autism spectrum
Exciting news for families with kids on the autism spectrum! Coles and Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) are launching Quiet Hour for customers on the autism spectrum.
After a successful trial in two stores last August, Coles is implementing this weekly hour of reduced sensory shopping across the country.
Starting today, 68 stores across Australia will dim the lights by 50%, turn music and registers volume down to its lowest level, avoid PA announcements and stop noisy trolley collections every Tuesday at 10:30am.
One mum, whose son is on the spectrum, went to Coles during the trial period and has already been singing the initiative’s praises.
Plus, it’s not just for those on the spectrum, but anyone who might benefit from it.
"The modifications to the shopping experience haven’t just been about creating low physical and sensory stimulators,” says Linzi Coyle, Community Engagement and Operations at Aspect. “Together with Coles, we’re achieving a ‘no-judgement’ shopping space where people on the spectrum and their families can feel comfortable and welcome whilst grocery shopping.”
Listen to Kinderling Conversation:
Coles and Aspect have also been training team members to understand sensory overload better, and to response to customers’ needs appropriately.
Check out the full list of participating stores below:
NSW
- Banora Point
- Bega
- Brighton-Le-Sands
- Caringbah
- Castle Hill
- Epping
- Goulburn
- Inverell
- Kings Langley
- Lisarow
- Manly Vale
- Medowie
- Moss Vale
- Old Bar
- Pyrmont
- Ulladulla
- Wadalba
- Warners Bay
- Wattle Grove
- Wellington
QLD
- Cairns
- Central Caloundra
- Cleveland
- Everton Park
- Helensvale
- Kippa Ring
- Marsden
- Maryborough
- Mt Gravatt
- Mudgeeraba
- Newfarm
- Rockhampton South
- Toowoomba
- Townsville Annandale
SA
- Anzac Highway
- Mount Barker
- Park Holme
- Port Pirie
- Tea Tree Plaza
NT
- Casuarina - Bradshaw St
VIC
- Altona Meadows
- Balwyn East
- Belmont
- Benalla
- Brandon Park
- Brighton
- Brunswick West
- Burnside
- Cranbourne West
- Eltham
- Essendon Fields
- Ferntree Gully
- Fitzroy
- Langwarrin
- Newtown
- Pakenham Lakeside
- Prahran
- Ringwood
- Wendouree
WA
- Erskine
- Floreat
- Hillarys
- Kalgoorlie
- Margaret River
- Mundaring
- South Lakes
- Southern River
On Facebook
On Instagram
More news and features
Master your money with our new family finance podcast
Our news series offers a fresh and fun approach to family finance, hosted by Caitlin Fitzsimmons and Georgina Dent.
How to stop the leading cause of death for autistic children
There are some pretty scary statistics - here's how you can help.
7 tips to teach kids the value of money
For young kids, money might just seem like the strange thing grown-ups swap for a milkshake.
How to cut your weekly shopping bill to $50
Bring it down to just $50 a week!
How to avoid kids' supermarket meltdowns
What to do before your kid goes nuclear.
Rescan your digital radio on Sunday 1 July
We might disappear for a moment, but it's easy to fix!
Should we condemn Prince George for playing with toy guns?
Is it okay to introduce these sorts of toys at a young age?
Way to go, CBA: You just crushed my nostalgia for the 80s
Childhood memories ruined.