Vodafone Ireland has announced the introduction of autism friendly retail hours in a number of stores across the country.

The aim of the new initiative is to ensure a better digital future is accessible to all, making technology and employment opportunities more accessible to members of the autism community. The programme will see reduced noise, priority seating and appointments every Wednesday between 9am and 11am. The introduction of autism friendly retail hours is part of the wider autism friendly programme being run by Vodafone Ireland. The company is the first network in Ireland to introduce autism friendly hours in its retail outlets, with the programme created in partnership with AsIAm, a not-for-profit charity organisation working on behalf of the Autism Community in Ireland to empower, educate and advocate concerns for the Autism Community. AsIAm also work on improving the understanding, awareness and support of Autism across Ireland and the charity has undergone an environmental audit in Vodafone retail stores. The audit aims to identify opportunities to improve the shopping experience for autistic visitors, noting areas of difficulty in-store. Including in the programme, Vodafone retail stores will offer the free use of a variety of sensory inputs to its customers in store. This will be in the form of a ‘Relaxation Box’, which will be easily accessible to all customers, and will include sunglasses with visor, stress ball, ear defender and scented tags. Not only will Vodafone be providing these services for customers in store, it has developed a training module for staff in conjunction with AsIAm. This course aims to educate Vodafone retail staff about autism and give them the tools and knowledge to meaningfully include people on a day-to-day basis.