For most families in Singapore, a weekend family outing is a routine opportunity to relax and bond. Few will think twice about heading to a bustling suburban mall, dining at a popular restaurant or visiting a new attraction. Yet for some families, these trips can feel overwhelming, isolating and at times even discouraging enough to stay home.

Bright lights, noisy crowds and an unfamiliar environment can quickly become overwhelming for persons with autism and those with sensory sensitivities. At the same time, caregivers carry the constant worry of how their loved ones will be perceived or treated in public spaces. 

For Julie Nestor, that kind of uncertainty is exactly what Mastercard’s Time for Acceptance initiative is designed to address. She experienced the impact of this first-hand when she stepped into furniture store King Living, a Time for Acceptance partner.

Looking to buy a sofa, she and her son were greeted by staff who, instead of giving the standard sales pitch, offered practical advice based on her family’s needs. After sharing that her son prefers to eat his meals on the sofa, the staff focused on functional, practical solutions, recommending the best fabrics and options that would be easy to clean.

“Knowing their team understood autism and special needs made me feel very comfortable bringing him with me to the store to shop for a sofa, something I would not have done before,” recalls Julie Nestor, who is the executive vice-president of marketing and communications for Asia Pacific at Mastercard. “In the end, I purchased a fantastic lounge, so it was a great outcome for our family and for the business as well!”