That was nice post. It was nice of you to acknowledge that the Wal-Mart plan does have some benefits to those more likely to be affected by sensory overload.

Article written by Denise Malloy Deaderick, Senior Vice President and Chief Belonging Officer

Is that a real title?

Personally, I do not like Walmart's choice in musical entertainment. But, that's just me. Quiet is good, but I could not care less. As for a few that are having a problem with the store's environment, try to remember that you are in the minority. Why should the store (or anyone) feel the need to cater (coddle) a few? But, it it their business and like everyone else, if I don't like it I can order on line and either have it put in my car or have it delivered. Hey, if they are suffering from an illness, can't they do the same?
Oh my, I need to get my special needs dog suited up so I can go shopping.

Oh are we ever, and many (most ?) have no idea the direction we've been taking for a number of years now. It all converges; you make major but very gradual. incremental, changes in school and university curriculum, at the same time you gradually diminish the role of the parent for the "higher ground" of protecting the child, you wage a war on firearms making them the cause of all the increased violence and unrest, while at the same time gradually closing state and federal mental health hospitals, you slowly curb the manufacture of ammunition until the military is at critically low level, then lower the nation's oil reserves while focusing on the development of battery dependent tanks for battle, this list could go on forever. Most will spend their time accusing one or the other parties for all this, while 90% of the population has no ability to recognize patterns and relationships of all these incremental changes and the interrelationship of all these elements. We need to do as police detectives do, take a huge room and make a time line of all these incremental, "harmless" changes that all appear to have very noble goals ! Are we equipped for WWIII, no, not emotionally, socially, physically, or materially. I fear the "greatest generation" is no longer admired or honored. When I was in school, that was an important part of the interwoven total curriculum. American exceptionalism is now a badge of shame. Don't like to contemplate where this will end ?

That's true, but I doubt that is what the posting individual actually meant; that we should not accommodate the disabled. My interpretation was not as narrow a view, more like a comment to reflect how, as a total population, our very culture is changing. I "think" the poster was looking at the "big picture", not trying to indicate that an adult or child with Autism is not to be respected or accommodated. But, I might be wrong ! From a totally personal perspective, I would prefer no music, no overly dim or overly bright lights, etc. in any businesses (not talking about massage spas and such). I might consider going to WM to shop during the "lowered intensity" hours, I just don't believe the poster was attempting to say WM is "wrong" to have, or not have, music, etc. Wish the villages would take the hint and NOT blast their villages radio at the pools, but, on the other hand, many would not enjoy the relative quiet to be able to read, chat at lower decibels, even "nap" in the sun without WVLG. So, can't please us all all of the time !

Good analysis, thoughtful comment. I never took "advantage" of the so called "senior shopping hours" during the Covid panic, but if it worked for people, it sure did not keep me from going at other hours. It's all relative said Einstein... or so they say, LOL ! Who knows, people without disabilities may find they really enjoy the toned down atmosphere and shop those hours too causing WM to even increase the "lowered stimulation" hours even more ! ? Never can tell if you have a winning idea until you give it a trial. I just agree, apart from comments on disabilities and medical accommodations, that the general population is far LESS able to deal with such things than my parents and grandparents were.

I like all three of your posts and you are exactly right. Like I stated in my subsequent post, I didn't even think of those hours as being an attempt to accommodate the autistic community. I thought it was just another corporation appeasing some idiotic woke concept to lead us further down the path to destruction. Naturally, if their motivation was to help those individuals, I'm not against it at all---it's hardly an inconvenience to anyone else.

I’m calling BS.

People/children with autism don’t only shop at Walmart 800-1000am. Nonsense.

Please read post 26. It's not a perfect solution but it's a start.

:bigbow:

Res ipsa loquitur

It would be hard for Walmart to do that at the busiest times. I recall during COVIDs worst times here in the Villages you had to get to Walmart very early to get a chance of nabbing some toilet paper and various other times, I got up around 6 AM a few times. I do not remember the exact times but it was quite early,

My Mom was a Special Education teacher in Reno, NV and also helped a Villages area Catholic Church with their program aiding Special Needs adults.

Doubt if these people would want to go at very busy times.

BINGO ! Can it be any more obvious that a very high percentage certainly do not understand the subtext of this, and many other posts, and yes, that does indicate we are in serious trouble !

I have no known sensory sensitivities, but I'd certainly take advantage of ANY store that offered music free shopping. Maybe it adds something to sooth the anxieties of strangers packed like sardines in an elevator, but for me I just don't enjoy someone else's music choices constantly bombarding me. Can't even sit Starbucks in LSL and enjoy a coffee on the front patio, constant assault of Villages radio, just like at the pools, every side walk, wonder if the residents of the new, more peaceful, natural setting villages have to put up with never being able to escape it unless you stay inside your home ?

Hah, how did I know who the OP was before opening the thread? :shrug: