The Guinness Open Gate Brewery has been accredited by Ireland’s Autism Charity, AsIAm, as a certified autism- and sensory-friendly venue.
To achieve this certification, Guinness Open Gate Brewery employees completed training to better understand autistic customers, their families, and those with sensory-processing differences.
From November, the venue will also offer specific sensory-friendly hours, with adapted lighting and sounds.
“Working with AsIAm to achieve our accreditation is a huge milestone in our commitment to making the taproom as accessible as possible,” said Catherine Toolan, Diageo Irish Brand Homes’ managing director.
“With the accreditation now confirmed for the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, all of our Brand Homes, including the Guinness Storehouse, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny and Roe & Co Distillery, have received accreditation by AsIAm, helping us provide experiences for all visitors.”
Sensory Map
AsIAm conducted reviews of the taproom, to provide recommendations to increase accessibility and help visitors prepare for their visit, including sensory guide signage, a calmer, seated space in the reception area, and adaptions to the customer experience.
As an accredited AsIAm taproom, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery’s staff members have been trained by AsIAm to better understand how to cater to autistic or neurodivergent customers. The taproom will offer sensory kits at its inside bar, along with visual guides of the building, and sensory maps.
Customers can also visit the website ahead of their visit and find the sensory map, the Charter of Inclusion, and a visual guide to the building.
“We’re proud to be part of supporting fantastic visitor experiences, which otherwise may not have been accessible to our community before,” said Adam Harris, AsIAm CEO.
“Diageo’s commitment to autism accessibility is particularly important in the context of our work to make Dublin the world’s first autism-friendly capital city.”
Sensory-Friendly Hours
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery will offer specific sensory-friendly hours once monthly on Sunday, starting 3 November, from 1pm to 3pm, with reduced lighting and sounds. Tables can be booked for this time period on OpenTable.
As an autism-friendly taproom, additional signage will be placed around the building, marking higher sensory areas.
