We organised the Autism-Friendly Cultural Services challenge for cultural actors with a desire to promote cultural equality. The aim of the challenge was to promote equality of culture, learn to take into account the needs of people on the autism spectrum and reach new audiences.

Participation in the challenge meant participation in training, through which participants gained the capacity to support the inclusion and understanding of a diverse audience. In addition, the education strengthened the competence to design autism and sensory-friendly cultural services.

The training was organised as a two-part Teams training, which was carried out by the Autism Spectrum Finland association. After the training, there was an opportunity to apply for an Autism-Friendly certificate if desired. 

The contents of this page have been compiled from the educational materials for the 'Autism-friendly cultural services 2026 challenge' organised by the Autism Spectrum Finland association.

The autism-friendly cultural services benefit everyone 

Autistic traits manifest themselves in individual combinations. That's why we're talking about the spectrum of autism. Features can involve challenges, strengths, and neutral qualities.

Some autistic people are disabled and need services and adaptations for the disabled. Some are not disabled, but belong to a minority of neurodivergent individuals, who are often misunderstood and discriminated against because of their characteristics. It is estimated that 10-15% of the population are neurodivergent individuals.

We can support the inclusion of people on the autism spectrum in cultural services by:

• Taking into account sensory friendliness and cognitive accessibility,
• Strengthening employee understanding and awareness, 
• Influencing the Attitude Environment, 
• Learning to respond to problems and 
• Being prepared for individual adjustments. 

Sensory friendliness (noise, crowds, smells, lights)

The sensory-friendly service takes into account noise, especially echoes, crowds, smells and lights.

Noise

• The sound level is moderate
• Good acoustics and echo-absorbing solutions in the premises
• Flooring materials, felt pads in furniture, door damping
• Earplugs or hearing protectors are available
• Offering service in quiet hours, quiet performances and quiet spaces 

Crowds

• Classes or performances where there is less audience than usual 
• Possibility to reserve seats at the back or side of the stands
• Opportunity to arrive early and leave first or last
• Facilities where you can take a break away from the crowd

Odors

• Take care of good ventilation
• Determining opportunities or facilities to be fragrance-free and informing participants and employees
• Fragrance-free products used in cleaning and hand soaps
• If necessary, the possibility to change seats, for example, in the audience

Lights and Colors

• Indirect light rather than straight from above
• Spot lighting for objects in need of bright light rather than bright lighting throughout
• Possibility to adjust the lights
• A generally neutral, not over-stimulating color scheme in spaces without sharp contrasts

Solutions applicable to all sensory stimuli

• Prior information on the site and in advertising about works that contain strong sensory stimuli
• Possibility to choose the most suitable place for sensory stimuli in the premises both during the program and during breaks
• Possibility to select places from which it is easy to exit, for example in the rear rows of the stands or at the end of the rows
   

Cognitive accessibility

• Sites and information materials where essential instructions can be easily found 
• Positively formulated instructions (e.g. allowed to touch) and also prohibitions clearly stated (what may not be done)
• Invest in signage, info and staff visibility
• Separately prepared guidelines for working in facilities and events serve participants of the autism spectrum and other groups with perception difficulties or anxiety
• Make the instructions concise and clear 
• Include arrival in instructions
• Please note that the material is available in print

Strengthening employee understanding and knowledge 

In order to make it easier for employees to deal with clients on the autism spectrum without prejudice, fear, or misinterpretation, it is useful to provide training and information to employees.

Autistic experience experts and parents can be invited to test the services and discuss with the staff.  

It is a good idea to provide visible information on who you can contact in advance to ask about the visit and possible adjustments. Familiarizing oneself with experience stories also increases understanding. 

Good to know about working in problem situations

Problem situations can be prevented by taking care of accessibility and adjustments. For example, the customer's loud expression of enthusiasm or anxiety, a movement or activity that disturbs others, or withdrawal and difficulty communicating can be problematic.

In this case, you can ask if the person/parent/assistant needs help. You can also provide a peaceful space for taking a break and prevent bystanders from intervening.

In general, it is not worth asking a lot of questions, give suggestions for solutions, or pity. Even for the purpose of helping, one should not touch without permission. No security guards or police are invited or child welfare reports made. One should not focus on one's own annoyance at the disruption of a program, service, employees, or audience, as the person on the autism spectrum or their supporters are probably already feeling enough guilt.

If the ability to communicate seems to be impaired, avoid a flood of talk, ask short questions, and give time to answer.

Autism-friendly solutions

• Get screens or other tools to divide space and create a peaceful corner. Then the level of sound and lighting can be regulated. 
• Get borrowable noise-cancelling headphones and hearing protectors. Keep them easily accessible to users. 
• Instruct staff to use simple communication boards. They can be used to respond by showing yes, no, or react to images that symbolize normal needs (e.g. toilet, water, out, wait, call for help)
• Provide materials for stimming, such as games or toys

Autism-Friendly Service Certification 

The autism-friendly service certificate is a means of communicating that autism-friendly solutions have been made competently, in cooperation with autistic people and experts supervising the certificate.

Certification can have a positive impact on the number of visitors and image of the cultural service, as autistic people, their loved ones and supporters, and those working with autism find audiences.

The certificate is applied for through the Autism Spectrum Finland (ASY) association. Information about the certificate in Finnish can be found here.