Breaking Barriers: Bridgeport Hotel Hosts Monthly Autism-Friendly Quiet Dinners

Did you know that 1 in 100 people in Australia are autistic? That’s around 205,200 individuals. Despite this significant portion of the population, many autistic people and their families avoid going to venues like pubs and bars. According to recent statistics, approximately 58% of them steer clear of these places altogether. The main reasons cited by autistic individuals and their families are crowds, noise and light levels for not dining out. These environmental factors can often overwhelm and distress autistic individuals, making outings to public places challenging.
Following suit from other venues in South Australia, Bridgeport Hotel also recognises this gap in accessibility and has announced to break barriers by hosting autism-friendly Quiet Dinners once a month in their Charles Sturt function room. Commencing on Monday, April 29th, and continuing on the last Monday of every month, Bridgeport Hotel invites all guests to its Quiet Dinners from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
With a commitment to inclusivity, Bridgeport aims to foster community and provide a safe, comfortable environment for autistic individuals and their families to not only dine but also experience a relaxing getaway together. In collaboration with Autism SA, Bridgeport Hotel has meticulously tailored its Quiet Dinners to cater to the needs of autistic individuals and their families. The ambiance is specially prepared with low lighting and reduced sound, creating a comfortable environment for guests. To minimize distractions, there will be no background TV, and tables will be adequately spaced apart to ensure space and privacy.
Guests can conveniently place their orders using Bridgeport’s online system, Me&U, accessed through QR codes provided on the tables. The seating arrangements include two sessions: the first from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm for families and the second from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm for adults only.
In addition to the à la carte menu, Bridgeport Hotel offers a sensory menu featuring simple dishes catering to those with sensory needs. The kitchen is also open to making small modifications to accommodate individual preferences.
Bridgeport Hotel encourages guests to bring personal devices but kindly requests the use of headphones to be mindful of others. Take-home fidgets may be available and in collaboration with Autism SA, additional sensory equipment has been incorporated to enhance the dining experience.
For guests needing a break or some space away from others, Bridgeport Hotel provides a small reset room within Charles Sturt, known as the Boardroom. Additionally, when available, the River Room can also serve as a reset room.
Join Bridgeport Hotel in its mission to create a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone. Experience an evening of delicious food, relaxation and community-building at our Quiet Dinners.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Carmen Wise
bdm.bridgeport@edphotels.com.au
(08) 8532 2002

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