Shopping centres adapting to Autism Spectrum visitors

Shopping centre management company, CBRE, has started a campaign in 43 shopping centres on the Iberian Peninsula, aimed at making these spaces more accessible for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and promoting awareness about their specific needs. CBRE thus demonstrates its commitment to the inclusion of the more than half a million people affected by autism in Spain and Portugal.

Among the measures adopted, the extension of “Quiet Hour” stands out, an initiative that reduces lighting and noise in shopping centres during certain hours of the day to facilitate a more pleasant shopping environment for people with ASD. Traditionally implemented in Spain every Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., it will now be extended throughout the entire week and will also include shopping centres in Portugal. Some shopping centres and stores have already implemented this, such as the Carrefour supermarket in Torrevieja, as one example.

Additionally, CBRE has improved the signage of its shopping centres through the use of pictograms to simplify the orientation of people during their visit. The campaign also includes the loan of anti-noise headphones at Customer Service Points and preferential treatment in activities carried out within shopping centres. Another relevant action is the specialised training on ASD given to shopping centre teams and the creation of “Refuge Spaces”, aimed at offering a quiet place for those people who may feel overwhelmed and need a moment of calm.

Soledad López-Cerón, Head of Property Management Iberia at CBRE, highlights the positive impact of these initiatives on local communities: “ With this campaign, we go one step further in the management of our assets, focusing on generating a positive impact on the communities.” communities of our shopping centres, especially as it relates to the ‘S’ of our ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy, improving the shopping experience for all our visitors.”

This effort to increase awareness and adapt commercial spaces is part of the “Caring for Communities” program, an initiative led by CBRE’s Property Management division that seeks to support communities through inclusive and conscious management of real estate assets.