Catering to All Senses: The Recipe for a Successful Sensory-Friendly Restaurant

Jungle Jim’s Goes Sensory-Friendly: Creating a Welcoming Space for All Diners

Jungle Jim’s Restaurant, a beloved Miramichi institution, has always strived to provide a fun and friendly dining experience. But they recognized that for some patrons, especially those with autism and other sensory sensitivities, the restaurant environment contributes to sensory overload. As a result, they reached out to Autism Resources Miramichi who then asked Sensory Friendly Solutions to collaborate and help them create a truly inclusive space for everyone.

Listen to the Community as a Key Part of Sensory Friendly Dining:

The first step involved valuable feedback from the autism community with the help of Autism Resources Miramichi. Namely, we heard concerns about:

• Noise: Loud music, busy chatter, and clattering dishes is overwhelming.
• Lighting: Bright lights and harsh overhead lighting causes discomfort.
• Touch: Unfamiliar textures of chairs and utensils is unsettling.
• Crowds: Large crowds could triggers anxiety.
• Smells: Strong cooking aromas is overpowering.
• Bathrooms: Open floor plans and loud hand dryers are problematic.

Importantly, sensory-friendly changes help people of all ages navigate the world more comfortably. Sensory sensitivity and overload can be experienced by individuals with over 25 different disabilities, differences or disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and PTSD. Moreover, while sensory-friendly dining is a crucial example, these design considerations extend far beyond restaurants!

Sensory Solutions on the Menu:

With this feedback in mind, Sensory Friendly Solutions crafted a comprehensive sensory-friendly dining report for Jungle Jim’s. Here are some examples:

• Quieting the Chaos: “Quiet hours”, offer a music-free dining experience. Add sound-absorbing panels. And add a designated quiet corner with comfortable booths for more privacy.
• Lighting the Way: Install adjustable blinds throughout the restaurant to control glare. Also, replace spotlights with softer lighting.
• A Touch of Comfort: Provide a variety of seating options. Include booths and cushioned chairs. In addition, make fidget toys available upon request.
• Space to Breathe: Increase space between tables to reduce congestion. Use outdoor seating when the weather permits!
• Scent Sensibility: Replace scented cleaning products with fragrance-free alternatives. Upgrade ventilation systems to minimize cooking odors. Alternatively, add stand alone air fresheners.
• Bathroom Bliss: In future, add single-stall, fully accessible bathrooms as part of renovations. Add paper towel dispensers to reduce the use of hand dryers.

More Than Just a Meal

By implementing even some of these recommendations, Jungle Jim’s can transform into a welcome and inclusive environment for all. Furthermore, parents with autistic children can now enjoy a relaxed meal out, knowing their sensory needs are considered. And, in conclusion: Jungle Jim’s delivered!

Want to be like Jungle Jims? Furthermore are you intrigued by the possibilities of sensory-friendly design? Get ready to transform your space into a haven for all. This short video shares details about our training membership that unlocks online courses to teach you everything you need to know.

Unveiling the Power of Inclusion: Dive Deep into Our Case Studies

The power of inclusion goes beyond just creating a welcoming space, it’s about unlocking potential and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone. Sensory-friendly design is a powerful tool in achieving this, and here at Sensory Friendly Solutions. we’re passionate about helping you implement it. Read more of our case studies:

Making Inclusion a Reality: Funding Your Sensory-Friendly Transformation

Bringing your vision of a sensory-friendly space to life is an exciting step towards building a more inclusive world. But budgetary concerns can sometimes hold us back. The good news is, creating welcoming environments doesn’t have to break the bank!

Explore our blog post, Making Inclusion a Reality: Funding Your Sensory-Friendly Transformation to discover a range of funding possibilities, from grants and community partnerships to creative fundraising ideas.

Remember, investing in sensory-friendly design benefits everyone! Let’s unlock the potential for inclusion together.