Four BUSY Ability offices will pilot a dedicated low-sensory Quiet Hour for customer appointments. This initiative aims to alleviate anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs, such as autism, by providing a calmer and less stimulating environment. Autism Spectrum Australia estimates that more than 300,000 Australians, or 1 in 70, are on the autism spectrum.
Recognising the importance of accommodating sensory sensitivity, BUSY Ability sites will adjust their environments during Quiet Hour appointments. Measures include dimming lights, silencing music and radio, setting phones and computers to silent mode, and ensuring staff use moderate voice volume and tone to minimise loud noises.
Stacey Turnbull, CEO of BUSY Ability, is excited about the initiative: “We’re thrilled to introduce Quiet Hour appointments across four of our offices. Seeing the positive impact Quiet Hours have had in other industries, we believe this initiative will similarly benefit our employment support services.”
BUSY Ability will initially trial the Quiet Hour timeslot at four locations:
- Gungahlin, ACT
- Frankston, Victoria
- Pimpama, Queensland
- Coomera, Queensland
It is hoped that the trial will yield successful returns and can be rolled out nationally later in the year.
For more details on BUSY Ability’s Quiet Hour appointments, please contact info@busyability.org.au
Staff at Pimpama office are getting ready for Quiet Hour initiative introduced by BUSY Ability.