Wiesbaden starts Silent Hour: Stress-free shopping for everyone!

Wiesbaden starts Silent Hour: Stress-free shopping for everyone!

The shopping miles in Wiesbaden are taking on a new, distinctive charm. From Thursday, July 3rd, the city center will show a completely different face with the introduction of the “Silent Hour”. Shops offer reduced noise and dim lighting every Thursday from 3pm to 5pm. This initiative aims to help make shopping easier for people with autism, anxiety disorders, sensory hypersensitivity and other disabilities, such as rheinmainverlag.de reported.

Wiesbaden is the first federal state in Germany to organize and support the “Silent Hour” in the city center across the board. Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende and Hesse's Minister Heike Hofmann have appointed themselves as patrons of the project, and Mayor Christiane Hinninger is already calling for active participation from retailers. Over 20 stores, including a large department store and a shopping center, have agreed to participate. This is an important sign for more inclusion and participation, which is the goal of this project.

A barrier-free shopping experience

The “Silent Hour” is not simply a sales strategy, but a social step towards greater accessibility. The measures include reduced lighting, no music or announcements and quieter checkout areas. Seating and places to retreat should ensure relaxation and safety. This initiative promotes more self-determined shopping and raises society's awareness of the needs of neurodivergent people.

The idea behind the “Silent Hour”

originally comes from New Zealand, where it is known as “silent shopping” or “quiet hour”. This idea was brought to life by Theo Hogg, an employee of the New Zealand supermarket Countdown, who himself has an autistic child. “Quiet Hour” is now practiced in many supermarkets around the world. There is also a lot to do in this country to break down sensory barriers and raise awareness of the challenges faced by neurodivergent people stille-hour.com emphasized.

The role of enlightenment

Neurodivergent people, especially those with autism or ADHD, are often affected by sensory overload. This can lead to extreme emotional reactions known as a “meltdown” or “shutdown”. Sensory overload is also a serious issue, not only for people with autistic traits, but also for those affected by MS, depression or migraines.

The data is alarming: studies show a significant number of people with autism live at risk, with six times the likelihood of attempting suicide compared to non-autistic people. This fact shows how important it is to take social countermeasures and improve the conditions for those affected. This makes continuous education about neurodivergent people all the more important: this is where schools, companies and the health sector come into play inqua-institut.de clarified.

In the world of work, for example, the integration of neurodiverse people is often a challenge. The needs of these people are different, and companies should prepare to create suitable working conditions that capitalize on the strengths of these professionals. This includes, among other things, clear communication and regular feedback discussions.

The “Silent Hour” in Wiesbaden is a first step in the right direction. The city shows that consistent cooperation benefits everyone. Information about participating businesses is available on the City of Wiesbaden website: www.wiesbaden.de/stille-stunde. Jens Ackermann from City Management and Andrea Hausy, the municipal inclusion officer, are available to provide further details.