Developed with St. Andrew’s Autism Centre, Time for Acceptance launches with nine organizations, including Mandai Wildlife Group, to equip frontline staff with a deeper understanding of autism and introduce practical changes across everyday spaces. 

From left to right: Julie Nestor, Executive Vice President, 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. 

In Singapore, more than 1 in 100 children are diagnosed 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.

Turning awareness into practical action

To help address this, Mastercard has launched Time for Acceptance in Singapore, an initiative developed with St. Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC) that brings together nine organizations 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.

“Families can plan the day, but not always the environment,” said Julie Nestor, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific, Mastercard. “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 organizations across Singapore to join and help make everyday experiences more inclusive.”

Nine organizations launch the initiative in Singapore

The initiative is launching across 47 locations, in collaboration with nine organizations: Amped Trampoline Park, Commonwealth Concepts, Frasers Property Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, i’mable by SG Enable, King Living, Mandai Wildlife Group, SAFRA, and Starbucks Singapore, 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 organization 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 across 17 outlets, including The Marmalade Pantry, Baker & Cook and Swissbake. At Gardens by the Bay, the Quiet Morning programme allows individuals on the autism spectrum to experience Flower Dome and Cloud Forest one hour before public opening, with reduced noise, minimal announcements and lower visitor density. Starbucks Singapore is also participating through Frasers Property’s inclusive wayfinding pilot across seven stores, helping customers navigate malls and find stores more easily.

Tools and resources for families and frontline staff

To support families beyond individual visits, Mastercard and SAAC have also 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 organizations. 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. These modules are 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 organizations 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 showcases Sensory Notes at launch

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 program, first piloted at the 2026 Australian Open, helps persons with autism or sensory sensitivities order more confidently by describing dishes in clear, literal terms, including texture, taste intensity, preparation and presentation.

Agatha Yap, Chief Marketing Officer, 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 program, 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.

Learn more about Time for Acceptance, including participating partners, the sensory-friendly spaces directory and training resources, and find out how your organization can join at https://www.saac.org.sg/timeforacceptance. 

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APPENDIX: PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

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. The initiative also extends to holiday sessions such as Christmas and Halloween. As part of Time for Acceptance, these dedicated 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: “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.

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 program 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 organization plans to onboard 20 additional brands this year and expand its efforts through ongoing enhancements.

Adrian Tan, Managing Director, 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 organizations, 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 program, where individuals on the autism spectrum can experience 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: “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 program, 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.

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 organizations to create environments where persons with autism and their caregivers feel respected, understood and welcome.”

King Living

King Living is formalizing inclusive customer service practices across its showrooms in Singapore, 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.

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 formalizing 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. This initiative complements Mandai Wildlife Group’s broader efforts to make the precinct a more welcoming and accessible destination for autistic visitors and their families.

Agatha Yap, Chief Marketing Officer, 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 program, 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.” 

SAFRA

At SAFRA, employees across its seven clubs have been learning more about autism through workshops conducted by St. Andrew’s Autism Centre since March 2026.

Ms 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 program 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: “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