Autism Supportive Community
Autism Supportive Community
Accessible Travel Series: Kathleen Marshall from Anderson Center for Autism - Dutchess Tourism
In 2018/2019, with funding awarded from the Thomas Thompson Trust, we have collaborated with the Village of Rhinebeck to support their effort to establish the Village of Rhinebeck as an Autism Supportive Community. This will be the first Autism Supportive Community in our region.
Businesses and organizations in the Village of Rhinebeck will be committing in 2019 to Do One Thing — As part of its efforts to become designated an Autism Supportive Community, those who sign on to the Do One Thing effort in Rhinebeck will pledge to make at least one adjustment to their facilities or to the way they operate. The objective is to create atmospheres throughout the village that are more supportive for people with Autism and their families.
Completed Pledges:
| Business | "One Thing" |
| 1686 and Company | Offering Sensory Kits |
| A.L Stickle Variety Store | Offering reduced wait times |
| Aba's Falafel | Offering a PECS menu, for website & in restaurant |
| The Amsterdam | Allowing guests to pre-order, optional quiet area seating and Sensory Kits available |
| Aroi Thai Restaurant | Advanced ordering option |
| Bread Alone | Offering Sensory Kits, reduced wait times via calling ahead for seating in the dining room |
| Buns Burgers | Offering sensory hours (3PM to 5PM), advanced ordering/pick up, space for movement |
| Cale Communications | Updated lighting to be softer, more Autism friendly |
| Cesare + Lili | Offering Sensory Kits and displaying window sticker |
| The Clothes Tree | Offering Sensory Kits, reduced wait times and creating volunteer positions and visual supports |
| FACE Stockholm | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Hammertown Rhinebeck | Offering Sensory Kits |
| HQMP | Offering a sensory space and lowered lighting |
| Hudson Valley Magazine | Published articles for ACA & ASC |
| Hundred Mile | Offering Sensory Kits, and lowered music volume |
| Northern Dutchess Hospital | Sensory Kits available in the Emergency Room, painted two treatment rooms to alleviate exposure to crowds and noise |
| Kroeg | Offering Sensory Kits and a quiet space |
| Land of Oz Toys | Offering haircuts in a quiet and safe environment |
| Lucky Dragon | Offering delivery via curbside pickup (pre-pay, call upon arrival) |
| Megabrain Comics | Offering Sensory Kits |
| No Sugar | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Oblong Books & Music | Hosted a panel discussion of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time |
| Old Mill Wine & Spirits | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Oliva! | Offering Sensory Kits and reduced wait times |
| Oliver Kita Chocolates | Lowers music from 1PM to 3PM daily |
| Pegasus Footwear | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Periwinkles at Rhinebeck | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Pizza Posto | Offering curb-side pickup |
| Rhinebeck Area Chamber of Commerce | “Do One Thing” at public events, 2018 Holiday Tree Lightning was an Autism Supportive Event |
| Rhinebeck Artists Shop | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Rhinebeck at Home | Overview of Autism Presentation with ACA Consultation Team Member |
| Rhinebeck Bicycle Shop | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Rhinebeck Central School District | Swapped out their previous lighting for softer, more autism friendly lighting |
| Rhinebeck Masonic Lodge | Hosted a Cinco De Mayo fundraiser for the ASC Initiative |
| Rhinebeck Theater Society | Planned to offer an Autism Supportive performance of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time |
| Ruge’s Automotive | Offered their showroom as a sensory safe place during Porchfest 2019 |
| Use only soft/warm lights, play softer music in the morning hours, educate staff on mindfulness/respect for ALL customers | |
| Staley Real Estate LLC | Offering Sensory Kits and social stories |
| Sugar Plum Boutique | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Sunflower Natural Foods Market | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Terrapin Restaurant | Reduced noise in the dining space, now offering take-out lunch and curb-side pickup as well as limited wait times |
| Topical BioMedics Inc | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Swapped out their previous lighting for softer, more autism friendly lighting | |
| Village Pizza | Offering Sensory Kits, creating volunteer opportunities, offering reduced wait times and eliminated safety hazards |
| Village of Rhinebeck Police Department | All Village police vehicles are equipped with Autism Awareness Kits (sensory items & noise cancelling headphones) |
| Willow Wood | Offering Sensory Kits |
| Winter Sun & Summer Moon | Offering Sensory Kits & a quiet space with no music |
| Zimmer Brothers Boutique | Offering reduced wait times |
Upcoming Pledges:
| Business | "One Thing" |
| Anite Ferri Realty | Will hold an agency wide awareness meeting for real estate agents |
| Century 21 Alliance Realty Group | Reduce noise, eliminate safety hazards, provide visual supports lower volumes & lighting. |
| The Episcopal Church of the Messiah | Will provide a context for all special needs children to experience spirituality in a welcoming, safe setting |
| Iconic Hair | Will open earlier than usual by appointment - lights/noise will be kept to a supportive level |
| Jack M. Mancus MD | Will reduce noise & volumes, eliminate safety hazards |
| Orthopedic Associates of Dutchess County | Will develop a social story, offer a quiet/sensory space and reduced wait times |
| Rhinebeck Department Store | Will offer Sensory Kits |
To learn more about becoming an Autism Supportive Community, contact our Consulting Department at 845-889-9616 or AndersonConsulting@AndersonCares.org