Mastercard has announced the launch of Inclusion Hub, featuring 25 practical ways businesses can make their venues more welcoming for autistic people.
The hub is part of the company’s Inclusion Matters initiative, which was developed with Autism CRC, to rally businesses towards creating calmer, more welcoming spaces for people with autism and sensory differences.
In its recent announcement, Mastercard points out that most public spaces in Australia fail to accommodate the specific needs of autistic individuals, who make up one in 40 Australians.
Businesses can now sign up for access to the Inclusion Hub, where they can explore various practical improvements to their establishments, including implementing quiet hours and providing specialised employee training.
As part of the initiative, Mastercard is also introducing Sensory Notes, a new restaurant menu format that describes dishes in detailed sensory terms, from the appearance to the preparation.
Mastercard explains that to make Sensory Notes blend naturally into the dining experience, an icon appears alongside other dietary symbols, like Gluten Free and Vegan, subtly indicating that additional information about a dish is available.
The Sensory Notes concept was initially tested at the Australian Open earlier this year at Wonder Pies and Peach Melbourne venues, and continues to be used at The Mulberry Group’s Hazel Melbourne restaurant.
“We’re committed to making the Australian Open the benchmark of sporting inclusivity. By featuring Sensory Notes on our Accessible page, introducing QR signage at Wonder Pies and Peach Melbourne, and promoting them within the BallPark sensory room, we gave neurodiverse fans the tools they need to feel informed and supported throughout their AO experience,” said Kerry Tavrou, head of inclusion and diversity at Tennis Australia.
Mastercard says the initiative involves a collaboration with prominent chefs and Australians with autism to determine how Sensory Notes could function effectively.
“Through my experiences dining out with my son Valentino, I’ve come to understand just how complex and overwhelming restaurant experiences can be for autistic individuals and their caregivers. Dining should be a moment of joy, comfort, and connection, yet uncertainty around food often creates unnecessary barriers. Sensory Notes offers clarity and confidence so everyone can enjoy what should be a simple pleasure of sharing a meal together,” said Jean-Christophe Noveli, MasterChef Australia judge and leading culinary chef who contributed to the initiative’s development.
“Our role is to listen to and learn from the autistic community, working together through research and co-design. We have focused on what truly matters to them and hope these new innovations are beneficial and can continue to be refined with community feedback,” said Dr Olivia Gatfield, Autism CRC’s research and community engagement manager.
