Conscious reduction of stimuli enables a stress-free shopping environment for autistic people as of 20th of December
The special measures will be implemented daily from 2 to 3 p.m. at the BILLA store in Goldeggasse in Vienna's 4th district.
BILLA relies on the professional competence of the social enterprise Specialisterne, which is located close to the shop
Things that make the eyes of the majority light up and that special feeling of the pre-Christmas season is a big challenge for people on the autism spectrum. For them, it is too much of everything: too many noises, lights and people. Therefore, in the spirit of inclusion and social togetherness, BILLA introduces the "Silent Hour" at the BILLA store in Goldeggasse in Vienna's 4th district.
At fixed times, far-reaching but also individual measures are regularly taken to enable autistic people to have a shopping experience in a stress-reduced environment. At present, the concept is being tested for an unlimited period of time and will continuously be evaluated and adapted. If there is a positive response from customers, an extension of the fixed times is conceivable.
"It is exciting to learn how different customers experience shopping with us. We are testing some possibilities in this branch, some are easy to implement and for others we need creative solutions or more time. We are of course very excited to see how this offer is received and are very pleased to once again be able to cater to the very individual needs of our customers," says Hermann Weiß, BILLA head of sales, about the concept.
Acoustic and visual stimuli are minimised for customers with autism
The BILLA team around BILLA store manager Miklos Koleski was specially sensitised and prepared by Specialisterne for the "Silent Hour". During training sessions, the special requirements of autistic customers were discussed, and appropriate measures were developed together. For example, radio, advertising and market announcements are dispensed with in favour of a quiet environment. Since even minor physical contact can be challenging for autistic people, orders for delicatessen products are placed on the counter instead of being handed over personally. In addition, during the "silent hour", even more attention is paid to the pace at the checkout so that the purchased products can be put away in peace. The "Silent Hour" takes place daily in the afternoon, away from the rush hours between 2 and 3 p.m., as many other people in the market can be a source of stress for autistic people. Sunglasses, which are disinfected for safety reasons, are provided free of charge for customers who are particularly sensitive to light.
Specialisterne's expertise
BILLA has been working with Specialisterne, an expert for the inclusion of autistic people, for several years and is now deepening the cooperation within the framework of the "Silent Hour". Specialisterne works internationally for the inclusion of autistic people in companies and trains people with autism in Austria to become IT specialists, among other things. The BILLA family highly appreciates the work of the autistic employees - they contribute their know-how, for example, at the BILLA headquarters in Wiener Neudorf. Harmen Vuijk, Coaching and Project Management Specialisterne: "We are thrilled that BILLA approached us with the great idea of the 'Silent Hour'. Thanks to our experience and the passionate commitment of the BILLA team, we were able to put together a package of measures and implement it in the immediate vicinity of our location in Vienna's 4th district - which is of course particularly pleasing for our course participants and employees with autism, who can now do their shopping on site."
