As the year draws to a close, we would like to warmly welcome our newest members to the Zero Barriers community. With 12 partner councils (and counting), we end the year on a high, and the promise of a continued commitment to creating liveable communities for all people in 2023.
How Businesses can be Inclusive of People with Autism
There are many ways that businesses can be more inclusive of people with autism. Below are some simple and inexpensive tips that you can start implementing today.
Keep clutter to a minimum. This limits distraction and improves the comfort levels of people with autism.
Dim the lights and keep noise levels down.Too much sensory stimulation can be challenging for people with autism. Implementing “quiet hours” and reducing lights can help create a calm and inclusive environment.
Offer ‘relaxed’ checkout lanes. These lanes allow for slower speeds to give extra time for helping customers with a variety of needs, including autism.
Provide the space and freedom to move around. Many people with autism struggle if their movement and personal space is limited or restricted. Providing space for movement will help facilitate a friendly and comfortable environment for them.
Employ people with autism. Research shows that business performance is not decreased and in many instances, is in fact improved with employees with autism. This is largely due to them being equally qualified and competent, as well as their reliability and high attendance rates.
What’s In This Issue?
How Businesses can be Inclusive of People with Autism
Community Voice: Featuring David
World Braille Day
Zero Barriers Business Spotlight: Subway – Greystanes
World Braille Day
“ When it comes to diversity and with disabilities, we always need to find a way to express who we are in our own ways.”
– Jamie Brewer, actress.
It is World Braille Day on 4th January. Braille is a sensory portrayal of alphabets and numbers in signs and symbols where six dots are used to represent each alphabet and numeral. People who are blind or with low vision can read books and magazines that are printed in visual font using braille.
The goal of World Braille Day, which has been held annually since 2019, is to increase public awareness of the role that Braille plays as a method of communication in the full understanding of the rights of the blind and partially blind people. In the context of education, ideology, and freedom of speech, as well as inclusivity, braille is crucial.
The COVID-19 epidemic has shown how crucial it is to publish key information in digital format, particularly in Braille and audible formats. In the absence of such standards and procedures, many people with disabilities may miss out on important information which could disadvantage or exclude them, or even put them at risk.
Do your part to celebrate and promote this important day. The significance of Braille is not well understood. Make use of your social media channels to spread the word. Give a Braille-written gift to a person who is blind or partially sighted. This present might be a book, a toy, or educational materials. Why not also pick up Braille reading? It can be advantageous because you could teach and assist someone who genuinely needs it by using your knowledge.
Schizophrenia can be described as an invisible illness. Those who live with Schizophrenia are often afflicted by very real and painful feelings, these experiences are internal and hidden from others. Modern medication is effective at dealing with hallucinations, delusions, and disorganised speech/behaviour. Yet, science still has a way to go for managing the negative (in this case meaning to be missing something) symptoms of Schizophrenia. This class of symptoms include loss of expressiveness, apathy, lack of joy and a drop in social and occupational functioning. This is more the case for people like David.
An Interview with David
What has been your experience living with Schizophrenia?
“I’ve had Schizophrenia for 35 years now and I have never not taken my medication, so I am generally free of symptoms. It used to be a lot tougher when there were fewer medications available. But now there is a whole new generation of medications, so I live a good life now. I live on a pension now, I can volunteer at the hospital and I have my own place.”
What are the things that prevent you from going to a business or service given the illness that you live with?
“Probably self-confidence – if it’s somewhere where I must mingle or where I feel like an outsider, that’s difficult. Also lack of motivation and if somewhere is too stimulating. I am an early riser. Early in the morning, it is peaceful and there is no noise outside.”
What things do you wish businesses knew about living with schizophrenia?
“Well, I think that the main thing is that organisations need to be sympathetic to others and treat everyone as equals. Some people are helpful, others not so much. People need to have a sympathetic attitude towards those who have illnesses. It is important to treat people as you want to be treated; with respect and dignity.”
Zero Barriers Business Spotlight: Subway Greystanes
Subway Greystanes is a community-minded business located in the Cumberland City Council local government area (LGA). They pride themselves on their inclusive practices and are known in their local community to be welcoming of all people, irrespective of ability. You’ll be greeted with a smile, and the customer service you will receive is one of respect and patience. The shop is also built with access in mind. The doorways are wide enough for people with mobility aids and there are no obstacles to enter.
You can find Subway at Pemulwuy Marketplace, Greystanes NSW. The Marketplace also has accessible parking and toilets for the convenience of all of its customers.
Zero Barriers encourages customers to show their support of disability-friendly businesses. To that end, we have an online directory that lists all businesses and services across our NSW partner councils that are committed to access and inclusion. Please visit the directory at www.zerobarriers.net.au to find your nearest disability-friendly business or service.
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