We Connect For a Better Future
At Vodafone Ireland we have made a commitment to improve our understanding and support of Autism, as part of a company-wide neurodiversity programme which runs across retail, employment opportunities, events and education.
Vodafone Ireland has introduced autism friendly retail shopping hours in a number of stores across the country. The aim of this initiative is to ensure a better digital future is accessible to all, making technology and employment opportunities more accessible to members of the autism community. The introduction of autism friendly retail hours is part of the wider autism friendly programme being run by Vodafone Ireland. Autism immediately affects a quarter of a million people in Ireland when taking in the family unit. Vodafone is committed to helping this community by creating accessibility measures in store, supporting inclusive employment and making its technology services more accessible to autistic people.
Vodafone is the first network in Ireland to introduce autism friendly hours in its retail outlets. The programme has been created in partnership with AsIAm, a not-for-profit charity organisation working on behalf of the Autism Community in Ireland to empower, educate and advocate concerns for the Autism Community.
The in-store autism activity is just one element of Vodafone’s Autism friendly programme, other initiatives across the business include: Employment Opportunities, Education and Inclusive Events.
The autism friendly Vodafone commitment
Vodafone's autism friendly culture in detail
Autism friendly shopping hours
At participating Vodafone stores, autism friendly shopping hours are in place on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00. During these times we are dedicated to providing reduced noise, a warm welcome to assistance dogs, priority seating and appointments where possible.
Participating stores include:
- Vodafone Retail,51 Henry Street, Dublin 1
- Vodafone Retail,32 Henry Street, Dublin 1
- Vodafone Retail,48 Grafton Street, Dublin 2
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 18b, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Dublin 22
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 2a, Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Dublin 14
- Vodafone Retail,Unit G13, The Pavilions Shopping Centre; Swords, Co Dublin
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 366b, The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 21A Golden Island Shopping Centre, Athlone, Co Westmeath
- Vodafone Retail,3 Potato Market, Carlow Town, Co Carlow
- Vodafone Retail,20 O'Connell St; Ennis, Co Clare
- 45 Williams Street, Galway
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 29, Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 13, Navan Shopping Centre ; Co Meath
- Unit 1, Whitewater Shopping Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare
- Vodafone Retail,3 O'Connell Street, Limerick
- Vodafone Retail,109 Oliver Plunkett St; Cork
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 8, The Square, Tralee, Co Kerry
- Vodafone Retail,5 Blackfriars, Waterford
- Vodafone Retail,33 North Main Street, Wexford
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 23, Wilton Shopping Centre, Cork
- Vodafone Retail,Unit 24a Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick
- Vodafone Retail,Omni Shopping Centre, Santry, Dublin 9
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New store designs
Social stories
Sensory workshops
Understanding autism e-learning
Relaxation boxes
Priority sales and service appointments
At participating stores, customers can set up priority sales and service appointments by presenting an AsIAm Autism ID Card in participating stores.Â
Participating stores include:
- Dublin: Grafton, Blackrock, and Dundrum
- Galway: William Street
Inclusive staff recruitment
Retail manager engagement
Autism ambassador e-learning
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Autism ambassador in-store support
Working in partnership with AsIAm
AsIAm are a not-for-profit charity organisation, working on behalf of the Autism Community in Ireland to empower, educate and advocate concerns for the AS Community. AsIAm also work on improving the understanding, awareness and support of Autism across Ireland. You can visit the official AsIAm website by clicking here.
Vodafone Retail engaged with AsIAm in 2019 to conduct an environmental audit of our retail stores. A report was issued highlighting areas for improvement.
AsIAm devised a Charter of Inclusion which sets out a list of commitments that Vodafone Retail will undertake over the next 3 years to become more autism friendly.
Vodafone have introduced the following initiatives to gain the AsIAm Approved Autism Accreditation:
- Retail Advisor & Management Training
- Autism Friendly Shopping Hours
- Assistance Dog Welcome
- Relaxation Boxes
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