Sensory Friendly Businesses
- Aug 16, 2023
- 1 min read
WHY ARE SENSORY-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS IMPORTANT?
Walmart joins the growing list of stores, theaters, and attractions offering "sensory-friendly" hours for people with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodivergent conditions who may be more sensitive to light, sound, and moving images. During these dedicated hours, stores are making accommodations like replacing moving pictures on screens with static images, turning off store music, lowering overhead lights, and providing shorter lines to create environments to make shopping more friendly to those with autism and other sensory issues and their families so they can participate more fully in normal life routines.
BENEFITS TO SHOPPERS
An article for JAMA Pediatrics in 2018 stated that 1 in 6 children in the United States have sensory processing difficulties and, in specific populations, the prevalence which also includes children with ASD is estimated to be as high as 80% to 100%. "We are striving every day to create a culture where everyone feels they belong," said Julie Barber, Executive Vice President of General Merchandise at Walmart.
7 TIPS TO MAKE BUSINESSES MORE SENSORY-FRIENDLY
Making business environments more "sensory-friendly" is on the rise nationally because it's good for business and makes a major difference to the people who need them. These are some common, low-cost, and effective ways for business owners to create more sensory-friendly environments for everyone as suggested by Sensory Friendly Solutions:
Dimmed Lighting
Reduce Noise
Create Quiet Zones
Offer Toilets
Offer Seating
Alleviate Smells
Remove Clutter
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These businesses intentionally design their environments to reduce overwhelming stimuli—such as lowering Space Waves lighting, minimizing loud noises, and creating calm, structured spaces that allow customers to feel comfortable and safe.
I really like seeing more businesses do this. For families with kids on the spectrum, a regular shopping trip can be overwhelming because of the bright lights, loud music, and crowded hole io aisles. Small changes like dimmer lights and quieter stores can make a huge difference. It’s nice that places like Walmart are starting to recognize that and create spaces where everyone can shop more comfortably. I hope more stores follow the same idea.
Creating spaces that are welcoming and accessible for everyone is so important. Reading this made me consider how the principle of reducing overwhelm extends to behind-the-scenes operations as well. In my work, I've seen how cluttered, noisy processes can be a barrier. Implementing a system like rfid asset tracking can significantly lower that operational 'noise'—allowing for quick, quiet audits of equipment without disruptive searching or manual counts. It’s one way to build a more considerate and efficient environment for both staff and customers.
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