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| Source: Mastercard. From left: Julie Nestor, Executive VP, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific; Mastercard, Paridhi Tandon (SAAC); Linda Tay, Senior Director of Programming, Gardens by the Bay; and Bernard Chew, CEO, St Andrew’s Autism Centre. |
Mastercard has launched Time for Acceptance in Singapore, an initiative that makes retail, dining and outdoor spaces more welcoming for people with autism. For many persons with autism or sensory sensitivities, and their
caregivers, uncertainty about the environment can make going out more
challenging. Sudden noise, unclear layouts or even feeling judged or
encountering impatience from members of the public can quickly turn
everyday moments, from ordering food and waiting in line to asking for
help, into points of stress.
The initiative, developed with St Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC), brings together nine organisations across retail, dining and community spaces to introduce practical changes for persons with autism and their caregivers. These include clearer information, more consistent service cues, better-trained frontline staff, dedicated quieter sessions and sensory-friendly menus to help make visits easier to navigate.
Julie Nestor, Executive VP, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific, Mastercard said that days can be planned, but not environments. “Time for Acceptance is about changing that by introducing practical changes that businesses can implement now, from clearer information to better prepared frontline staff. Mastercard hopes this initiative will encourage more organisations across Singapore to join and help make everyday experiences more inclusive,” she said.
The initiative is launching across 47 locations in collaboration with nine organisations, with more expected to join. More than 220 frontline staff have been trained ahead of launch to better support persons with autism and their caregivers.
Each organisation will introduce changes suited to its own environment and visitor journey. These range from wayfinding support and quieter sessions to staff training and more inclusive dining tools, helping persons with autism and their caregivers know what to expect before and during a visit.
For example, Commonwealth Concepts is piloting staff training and clearer, more supportive service including at The Marmalade Pantry, Baker & Cook and Swissbake. At Gardens by the Bay, the Quiet Morning programme allows individuals on the autism spectrum to experience the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest before the public opening.
Starbucks Singapore is also participating through Frasers Property’s inclusive wayfinding pilot across seven stores, helping customers navigate malls and find stores more easily.
To support families beyond individual visits, Mastercard and SAAC have developed a directory of autism-friendly spaces to help persons with autism and their caregivers discover participating locations and better plan outings in advance.
Mastercard and SAAC are also developing a series of online training modules for frontline staff and participating organisations. Delivered in consultation with SAAC’s Centre of Advocacy and Public Education, these modules cover topics such as understanding autism, communication, sensory differences, routines and social interaction.
The training is designed to help businesses build confidence in supporting persons with autism through clearer, more consistent practices and thoughtful interactions.
“Real acceptance starts with the willingness to make accommodations that help persons with autism and their caregivers feel more confident in everyday spaces,” said Bernard Chew, CEO of St Andrew’s Autism Centre.
“Through Time for Acceptance, we are working with Mastercard and participating partners to turn lived experience into practical tools and guidance that equip organisations to take meaningful steps toward more inclusive practices. We invite more businesses to join us in making inclusion part of everyday life, alongside many others who are already committed to creating more inclusive spaces.”
Mandai Wildlife Group, steward of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, will offer a special menu at the official launch event at Crimson Restaurant in Bird Paradise, featuring Mastercard’s Sensory Notes. The programme helps persons with autism or sensory sensitivities order more confidently.
Agatha Yap, CMO, Mandai Wildlife Group, added: “Crimson Restaurant at Bird Paradise is a flamingo-themed dining experience offering breathtaking views of an aviary and birds like macaws taking flight. We want every guest to feel welcome, and through our participation in Mastercard’s Sensory Notes programme, we are piloting how clearer information about what to expect, ingredients and flavour profiles can be incorporated into our menus.
"We hope to learn from this collaboration and make the dining experience even more comfortable and enjoyable – particularly for visitors with autism and sensory sensitivities. It’s a small but meaningful way to make our spaces more accessible for everyone.”
Time for Acceptance builds on #AcceptanceMatters campaign, Mastercard’s autism inclusion campaign launched in Singapore in 2024 to raise awareness of hidden disabilities, including autism. The new initiative shifts from awareness to implementation by focusing on practical changes businesses can make in day-to-day operations and customer interactions.
Participating organisations include:
Amped Trampoline Park
Amped Trampoline Park runs dedicated weekly sessions for neurodivergent children, with reduced music and announcements, lower capacity, access to a quiet room, and trained staff. As part of Time for Acceptance, these quieter sessions help create a more welcoming play experience for families and reflect the park’s long-running commitment to more supportive environments for neurodivergent children.
Nicole Sparkes, Director & Owner, Amped Trampoline Park said: “At Amped, we have seen how much difference a calmer, more considered environment can make for neurodivergent children and their families. We hope Time for Acceptance encourages more businesses to make simple but meaningful adjustments so more families can feel welcome, safe and included.”
Commonwealth Concepts
Commonwealth Concepts is piloting inclusive service practices across 17 outlets, including The Marmalade Pantry, Baker & Cook and Swissbake. At launch, more than 50 frontline staff will undergo training developed with St Andrew’s Autism Centre to support persons with autism with greater care, patience and empathy. This includes using simple, direct language, allowing more time for ordering, and responding calmly in high-stress situations to help create lower-stress dining experiences.
Said Betty Tan, Group Head, Commercial Strategy and Partnerships, Commonwealth Concepts: “Inclusion should be felt in everyday moments, including something as simple as dining out with confidence and ease. Through Time for Acceptance, we are equipping our teams with practical skills to serve persons with autism and their caregivers with greater patience, clarity and care across our restaurants.”
Frasers Property Singapore
Frasers Property Singapore continues to strengthen its Inclusion Champions programme across its malls to better support shoppers with diverse needs, including individuals on the autism spectrum, persons living with dementia, and their caregivers. To date, it has engaged 37 retail brands and trained over 300 frontline staff. This includes more than 110 Dementia Go-To Points across participating tenant outlets, as well as Calm Hours across 81 outlets.
The organisation plans to onboard 20 additional brands this year in addition to expanding its efforts through ongoing enhancements.
Commented Adrian Tan, MD, Retail, Frasers Property Singapore: “Our participation in Mastercard’s Time for Acceptance campaign reflects our commitment to advancing inclusion through partnerships. By working alongside like-minded organisations, tenants, and communities, we amplify our impact and shape our malls into welcoming second places that support everyday life.”
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is participating in Time for Acceptance through its Quiet Morning programme, where individuals on the autism spectrum can experience the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest one hour before opening to the public, with reduced noise, minimal announcements, and lower visitor density.
Since its introduction in 2024, Quiet Morning has supported over 1,200 persons with autism and their caregivers. In collaboration with St Andrew’s Autism Centre, visual and written guides were developed to help visitors better prepare for their visit.
Staff and volunteers were also trained to better support and engage persons on the autism spectrum. An online sensory map is also in the pipeline, providing real-time information on sensory conditions such as noise, lighting and crowd levels, while highlighting sensory-friendly routes across the Gardens.
Linda Tay, Senior Director of Programming, Gardens by the Bay commented: “As a people’s garden, we believe in inclusivity and that the beauty of nature should be accessible to everyone. Through specially curated programmes like Quiet Morning, we provide a calm and conducive environment for persons with autism to enjoy what Gardens by the Bay has to offer.
Time for Acceptance is a meaningful programme, and we are glad to be part of this journey to foster greater understanding and inclusion.”
I’mable (by SG Enable)
I’mable, a public education initiative by SG Enable, supports efforts to move inclusion from awareness to everyday practice. It works with organizations to implement practical adjustments such as staff training, clear communication, sensory considerations, and flexible service approaches, helping to create more supportive everyday environments for persons with autism and their caregivers.
Observed Edward Chew, Senior Director, Employment and Lifelong Learning Group, SG Enable: “Inclusion begins with actions that go beyond intention. We are encouraged to see Time for Acceptance help move inclusion from awareness to everyday practice, and we hope it inspires more organisations to create environments where persons with autism and their caregivers feel respected, understood and welcome.”
King Living
King Living is focused on inclusive customer service practices, covering all its showroom design consultants and customer service staff. The initiative focuses on ensuring a consistent and welcoming customer experience across consultation and purchase touchpoints.
Stated Ili Ibrahim, Regional Retail Manager SEA, King Living: “At King Living, we believe every customer should feel welcome, respected and at ease throughout their experience with us. Through Time for Acceptance, we are formalising inclusive service practices across our Singapore showrooms and hope this helps encourage more brands to make inclusion part of everyday customer experience.”
Mandai Wildlife Group
Mandai Wildlife Group is supporting Time for Acceptance with a sample menu at Crimson Restaurant in Bird Paradise featuring Mastercard’s Sensory Notes.
First piloted at the 2026 Australian Open, Sensory Notes helps diners understand what to expect before ordering by describing dishes in clear, literal terms — including texture, taste intensity, preparation and presentation. It is designed to reduce uncertainty around food and dining, which can be a barrier for some persons with autism.
While a showcase for now, it offers a practical example of how food and beverage operators can take steps toward more inclusive dining experiences. The initiative complements Mandai Wildlife Group’s broader efforts to make the precinct a more welcoming and accessible destination for autistic visitors and their families.
SAFRA
Employees across all seven SAFRA clubs have been learning more about autism through workshops conducted by St Andrew’s Autism Centre since March 2026.
Yap Mong Nah, Deputy CEO of the Club Management & Engagement Group at SAFRA, commented: “Our seven clubhouses are popular places where national servicemen bring their families, including family members with autism. By providing opportunities for our employees to gain a deeper understanding of how persons with autism may interact and experience their surroundings differently, we aim to create an even more welcoming and inclusive environment at our clubs.”
Starbucks Singapore
Starbucks Singapore is participating in Frasers Property’s Inclusion Champions programme as part of an inclusive wayfinding mapping pilot. The initiative is currently implemented across seven stores — Century Square, Hougang Mall, The Centrepoint, Waterway Point, White Sands, Northpoint City and Eastpoint Mall. As part of the pilot, Starbucks is introducing in-store navigation support to help customers find stores within malls more easily and navigate ordering more clearly.
Additional measures include calm shopping hours within selected malls and dedicated in-store spaces that serve as dementia go-to points.
Ruth Yam, Head of Commercial, Starbucks Singapore stated: “At Starbucks, we want every visit to feel welcoming and easy to navigate. Through Time for Acceptance and our wayfinding pilot with Frasers Property, we hope to help."
In Singapore, more than one in 100 children are diagnosed with autism.
Explore
Browse the sensory-friendly spaces directory and training resources for Time for Acceptance, and find out how your organisation can join at https://www.saac.org.sg/timeforacceptance
