Quiet Hour aims to create a more conducive environment for shoppers with autism
For the majority of us, shopping in supermarkets is a generally stress-free activity: Pick up the items, pay and you’re done. But for people with autism, the experience can be vastly different.
People with autism may be more sensitive to the bright lights and sounds in shops, making it challenging for them to carry out their daily activities.
Time for project Quiet Hour
This motivated a group from Youth Corps Singapore (YCS) to initiate their project: Quiet Hour. The team is led by Ms Tang Hui Yee, 28, who is the assistant manager of YCS, and comprises volunteers from the organisation.
As Quiet Hour aims to create a more conducive environment for shoppers with autism, store lights will be dimmed during this hour, with the music and public address systems switched off. In addition, the public can learn more about autism through the booths located outside the participating stores, such as supermarket chain Fairprice and Swedish furniture giant IKEA.
The team is working to include more retailers, in hope that this project will help to create a more inclusive and caring community and allow shoppers with autism to have a more comfortable experience.
Reaching out
Quiet Hour is an addition to the other initiatives that have been put in place to improve the welfare of people with autism. Last year, the Autism Association of Singapore revealed a pilot providing training resources for caregivers, allowing them to better assist people with moderate to severe autism. The Association’s Eden School provides training of basic life skills and prepares students for adult life.
Mr Goh Wei Han, 19, graduated from Eden School and is currently working at Pearl’s Hill Care Home. His family told The Sunday Times that they are comforted as he is able to lead a normal life, with Mr Goh himself expressing that he enjoys his job as a facility assistant.
Together with 7 other people with autism, Mr Goh’s work was arranged by the Autism Resource Centre (ARC) Singapore, which provides services such as the ARC’s Employability and Employment Centre to assist people with autism in looking for work.
ARC deputy director, Ms Jacelyn Lim, explains “We look for jobs that capitalise on their strengths…For example, data entry jobs which require attention to detail are more suitable (for people with autism) than front desk jobs that involve lots of communication with customers and unexpected situations.”
Through programmes like these, people with autism will be better equipped and more able to contribute to society, and we can play our part by supporting them in our own ways.
