Clarks shoe shop in Derby has been kitted out with symbols from Widgit to make the experience of shopping less stressful for autistic children and their families.
Visiting a noisy and busy shoe shop can quickly overwhelm an autistic child and may be stressful for parents. But choosing shoes at Clarks in the Derbion Shopping Centre, Derby, has become a more relaxing experience with the introduction of visual stories and communication aids from Widgit.
Sales assistants at the store have been given lanyards worn around their necks which include symbols to represent words and phrases frequently used, such as ‘measure’, ‘walk’, and ‘shoes off’. This helps them to explain to very young children and neurodivergent people what will happen when they visit the store to choose their shoes.
Designed by Widgit specifically for the Clarks store in Derby, the imagery enables non-verbal children to indicate which shoes they like and dislike by pointing to the relevant symbol, so they can make their own shoe choices.
A safe space to shop
The store has created a designated quiet corner too, where children’s feet can be measured and shoes fitted away from the main shop floor.
In addition to the symbols, the setting is equipped with sensory lighting and toys to make the space fun, and help put children who are sensitive to crowded or noisy environments at ease. Customers can also pre-book longer appointments to allow more time for shoe fitting by a staff member with advanced training in additional needs and autism.
Families can request to collect a symbolised guide from the store in advance of their appointment, which they can use to help their child prepare and understand visually how their feet will be measured, and what will happen when their shoes are fitted. This reduces the anxiety some children experience in unfamiliar situations and makes it easier for children to choose the shoes they need.
Rebecca Lynch, education specialist at Widgit, said: “Clarks in Derby has pushed the boundaries in retail and created a welcoming and inclusive place where children with a range of additional needs can engage in one of the key events that marks the new school year: choosing their school shoes. It’s great to have played our part in making this important space a reality for families and children across Derby.”
Campaign for change
The overhaul of the Clarks store in Derby is part of a national campaign from Widgit to widen accessibility and inclusion in public spaces. This includes a project to introduce a range of symbol support guides into Nottingham’s famous fleet of trams to make travelling across the city less stressful for passengers with speech, language and communication needs.
For more information on the symbols and resources Widgit has developed for parents and schools, and to sign up for a free trial of its software for creating personalised symbol resources, visit www.widgit.com.
