Autism-Friendly Accreditation
Swan Leisure is proud to work in partnership with AsIAm, Ireland's Autism Charity, to create a welcoming, accessible and inclusive environment for Autistic people and their families.
Through the Autism-Friendly Accreditation Programme, we have reviewed our services, facilities and practices to better understand and respond to the needs of Autistic individuals. This charter outlines the actions we have taken and our ongoing commitment to inclusion across our centres.
Our Commitments
Sensory Environment
We recognise that sensory experiences can have a significant impact on participation and wellbeing. To support a range of sensory needs:
We provide a dedicated Sensory Hour each week in both centres:
Rathmines: Fridays at 5:15pm
Crumlin: Thursdays at 5:00pm
During Sensory Hour, lighting is dimmed and noise levels are reduced to create a calmer environment.
Sensory kits are available at Reception for customers who may benefit from additional sensory supports during their visit.
Communication
We are committed to providing clear, respectful and accessible communication.
Swan Leisure staff participate in Autism Awareness training delivered by AsIAm and will continue to undertake annual refresher training to ensure our knowledge remains current and informed by best practice.
We offer lanyards for customers who may wish to discreetly indicate that they may require additional support or understanding during their visit.
We strive to communicate information clearly and support customers in accessing our services with confidence.
Predictability
We understand that knowing what to expect can help reduce anxiety and make visits more enjoyable.
Visual Guides for both our Rathmines and Crumlin centres are available on our website and within each facility.
These guides provide information about centre layouts, facilities and what customers can expect during their visit.
Sensory Maps are also available online and on-site, helping visitors understand the sensory characteristics of different spaces and plan accordingly.
Attitudes and Understanding
Creating an inclusive environment is everyone's responsibility.
Autism awareness and understanding form part of our staff induction and ongoing training programmes.
Our centres are assistance dog friendly.
We are committed to treating all customers with dignity, respect and understanding, while fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued and included.
Looking Forward
Swan Leisure is committed to continuously improving accessibility and inclusion for Autistic people. We will continue to work with AsIAm, listen to feedback from our customers and identify opportunities to further enhance our services, facilities and customer experience.
Together, we are creating leisure centres where everyone can participate, belong and thrive.
Swan Leisure Team
