Your Pontypridd are happy to be participating in Autism Hour on the week commencing 2nd October!

What is The National Autistic Society's Autism Hour?

For autistic people, the world can seem full of too much information - and too little understanding. That's why we launched the Too Much Information campaign to challenge the myths, misconceptions and stereotypes that contribute to 79% of autistic people feeling socially isolated and 64% of autistic people avoiding going to the shops.

More than 1 in 100 of the population have been diagnosed with autism. Along with their families, that's over 3 million customers waiting to be welcomed into your business. Over 99% of people have heard of autism, but only 16% of autistic people feel the public understand them.

So, as part of our Too Much Information campaign and with the support of shopping centre owner intu, in the week of 2 October we're asking shops and businesses to organise a National Autistic Society Autism Hour and take simple steps for 60 minutes that lead to a more autism-friendly world. If you'd like to get involved, check out our helpful Autism Hour resources.

What's involved in a National Autistic Society Autism Hour?

• Turning down music and other noise : Overwhelming noise is a common barrier to autistic people accessing shops. Where possible, in-store tannoy announcements and other controllable noise should be reduced.

• Dimming the lights : ​​Lighting, particularly fluorescent strip lighting, can be overwhelming for autistic people. Wherever possible, whilst maintaining a safe premises, lights should be dimmed or switched off.

• Sharing information about autism with employees : We don't expect everyone to be an autism expert but we believe everyone should understand autism. We'll provide information about autism to help your staff make your customers' experience a positive one.

• Sharing information about our Too Much Information campaign : In the week of October 2 we ask that you help increase the public's understanding of autism by sharing our Too Much Information campaign with customers.

Sign up your business

Taking part in The National Autistic Society's Autism Hour is straightforward but the changes shops and businesses make will have a big impact for autistic people and their families. And in turn the support and loyalty of this new customer base could really benefit businesses too.

So, sign up for The National Autistic Society Autism Hour and access resources to help make a lasting difference for autistic people, their families and businesses.

If you have a business and would like to take part in Autism hour, please sign up using the link below:

http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/tmi/autism-hour/form.aspx