Image THE SALES MARKET BECOMES THE FIRST AUTISM FRIENDLY MARKET IN EUROPE

THE SALES MARKET BECOMES THE FIRST AUTISM FRIENDLY MARKET IN EUROPE
2025/03/07

Madrid is taking a significant step towards inclusion with the transformation of the Mercado de Ventas into the first Autism Friendly market in Europe. The official presentation took place on Wednesday 19 February at an event inaugurated by Madrid City Council together with Alberto Gutiérrez, president of the international organisation Autism Friendly Club.

This recognition represents a milestone in the accessibility of public spaces for autistic people, promoting a more understandable and friendly environment for this community. The program, developed by Autism Friendly Club, began on July 1, 2024 with an exhaustive analysis of the market and will be implemented progressively in the coming weeks.

A model of inclusion with global impact

The Autism Friendly model has been successfully replicated in sectors such as restaurants, hotels and commerce in countries such as Argentina, the United States, Mexico and Colombia. With this certification, Madrid becomes a European reference in the adaptation of commercial spaces to the needs of autistic people.

According to the Autism Confederation of Spain, there are approximately 450,000 people with autism in the country, although there is no official census. The World Health Organization estimates that one in every 100 children is autistic, although some studies suggest that the prevalence could be even higher.

Alberto Gutiérrez, president of Autism Friendly Club, stressed the importance of this type of initiative: “Our goal is for more companies and public administrations to become socially committed and recognize the value of creating inclusive environments for a constantly growing population.” To date, Autism Friendly Club has certified more than 600 spaces around the world.

Sales Market Adaptations

To make the market an Autism Friendly space, several measures have been implemented designed to improve the experience of autistic people:

  • Installation of visual aids (pictograms) to facilitate orientation within the market.
  • Creation of a refuge area for those who need a calm space.
  • Specific training for market staff to properly serve autistic customers.
  • Awareness campaigns aimed at traders and visitors.
  • Development of a process anticipation guide to facilitate the purchasing experience.

A commitment to accessibility

Since its creation in 2020, Autism Friendly Club has been working on certifying accessible spaces through social awareness and the development of inclusive protocols. Its work seeks to ensure that more and more environments are suitable and welcoming for the autistic community.

With this initiative, Madrid reinforces its commitment to accessibility and places itself at the forefront of inclusion in Europe, promoting a model that could be replicated in other markets and commercial spaces on the continent.

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