World Autism Day 2019 is upon us, so we thought that it would be a good time to check out the most autism-friendly businesses in Edinburgh.
The good news is that there are three Autism Friendly Award winning businesses in Edinburgh, and they're major players. The bad news is that there are thousands of other businesses in the Scottish capital that don't have one, so much more needs to be done.
The National Autistic Society hands out these vital awards. To get one, a business needs to take a close look at how they're going about their work, and make changes to be more inclusive to neurodiverse people.
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To qualify, businesses need to make sure the following criteria are met:
1. Customer information
Ensuring that autistic people are able to access appropriate and timely information to help support their visit.
2. Staff awareness
Developing an appropriate understanding of autism to support autistic customers and their families.
3. Physical environment
Making appropriate and reasonable adjustments within the limits of any given venue.
4. Customer experience, feedback and consultation
Showing a willingness to be flexible to individual requests, and promoting a clear way for autistic people to provide feedback on their experience.
5. Promoting understanding
Committing to help promote better public understanding of autism.
Edinburgh Airport, the Scottish Parliament and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre have all been given Autism Friendly Awards as they meet these goals.
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The National Autistic Society are keen to get more Edinburgh companies to sign up for the award. Their research has told them that:
- 79% of autistic people and 70% of families said they felt socially isolated
- 50% of autistic people and families sometimes don’t go out because of concern about people’s reaction to their autism.
There's certainly more that Edinburgh as a city can do to make our businesses and public spaces as welcoming as possible to individuals and families with autism.
For more information about how to put your business forward for the award, click here.
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