Liverpool businesses have teamed up with Autism awareness charities, Autism Together and Autism Adventures UK, to become Autism Champions and help develop attractions and shopping across Liverpool to create a better experience for people with Autism.
Businesses included in this initiative are;
- Lifestyles Fitness Centres
- Everton FC
- Liverpool John Lennon airport
- National Museums Liverpool
- Liverpool One shopping centre
- New Mersey Shopping Park
- Signature Living – The Shankly Hotel
Staff will attend specialist training, including how to recognise the signs that someone may have autism and how to handle challenging behaviour. Champions are also taught about the different ways people with autism can choose to communicate. For example, if someone is non-verbal, they may communicate via a voice app on an iPad.
Champions will also be encouraged to make small adjustments to their premises to improve access to those with autism: they may advertise a quiet space, for people experiencing anxiety, or agree to clearer signage or less glaring lighting.
Liverpool John Lennon airport has a help and advice page on their website, giving information on how to prepare someone with Autism for travelling, such as contacting the airport before-hand so the airport are able to provide appropriate assistance if it is required. Click here to visit the page, or click here to download an Autism friendly guiding you through John Lennon Airport and what to expect.
Autism Friendly Cinema Screenings
There are various cinemas across Merseyside that hold screenings that are tailored to suit the needs of people on the Autism spectrum. Here are some examples of the features that cinemas may offer during special screenings:
- The lights are raised slightly.
- The sound is slightly lower.
- There are no adverts before the film as it goes straight to feature.
- You will not be asked to remain seated (for those that can’t help but swap seats)
- You will not be asked to be quiet (for those that want to tell you how much they are enjoying the film)
Odeon Liverpool One, Showcase cinema Liverpool (Norris Green), Fact (88 Wood Street, Liverpool) and Cineworld (Edge Lane Retail Park) all have Autism friendly screenings of specific films. The Odeon Manchester Trafford Centre has Autism friendly screenings aimed at an older audience.
May:
- Showcase – The Jungle Book on Sunday 8th May, 10am
- Odeon Liverpool One – The Angry Birds Movie, Sunday 22nd May, 11:30am
- Odeon Trafford Centre – X-men Apocalypse, Monday 23rd May, 6pm
June:
- Cineworld – Angry Birds Movie, Sunday 5th June, 11am
Carers can receive free entry with a CEA card: https://www.ceacard.co.uk/
Cheshire Oaks Autism Friendly shopping nights
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet host monthly autism friendly shopping experiences, with low lighting, music turned down/ off and a number of quiet zones throughout the site. Staff have received training in autism, and maps are provided which outline quiet zones. Autism alert cards are also available to hand out to the public/staff member if assistance is required.
The next Autism Friendly Shopping night will be on Tuesday, 10th May from 5:00 – 9:00pm.
