UK – Toys R Us has announced that this coming Saturday Sunday, on November 30 every one of their locations will host a shopping event for families of children with autism and other special needs. Designated hours in UK stores from 8am-10am and in Scotland and 9am-11am in England. Be advised to verify with your local store to confirm that they are participating.
The event will include features such as dimmed lighting, reduced noise levels and specially trained personnel in order to effectively meet the needs of customers. The large chain is one of many businesses throughout North America that have chosen to develop measures geared towards accommodating individuals with special or exceptional needs.
Ultimately, with the rate of autism being 1-68 in the United States and the number of children be
ing diagnosed with the disorder rising all over the world, businesses are now acknowledging the need for provisions to be made for customers who are affected by it. Many parents of children on the spectrum admit to finding it difficult to attend typical family-friendly activities such as festivals, parks and shopping malls. Oftentimes the lights and noises prove to be overwhelming for those on the autism spectrum, triggering feelings and behaviours that can be distressing for children as well as their parents.
Thus, the decision by Toys R Us’ to open their stores and to decrease some of the stimuli within them will be appreciated by the parents and children who will now have the chance to have a thoroughly enjoyable holiday shopping experience.
You can view the US 2014 Toys R Us Differently Abled Toy Guide here.