Flagship Microsoft Store Sydney in partnership with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), today announced a series of free autism
friendly Minecraft workshops at Microsoft Store for children aged 8 -14
years.
Running from October 2019, the workshops will offer an accessible
experience for children on the autism spectrum to explore, build, create and
foster social skills through the magic of Minecraft.
The workshops follow a two-month pilot program at
Microsoft Store Sydney. Driven by an inquiry from a customer, who was looking
for an inclusive space for their autistic son to socialise in, the Microsoft
community team created a regular, dedicated event for children on the spectrum
to meet and game together. The demand for these weekly sessions moved Microsoft
Store to approach Aspect, Australia’s largest national service provider for
people on the autism spectrum, to develop an approved workshop format to cater
specifically to this audience.
Autism can affect the way a person communicates and
interacts with other people and their environment. This can mean children on
the spectrum may have social communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities
and repetitive behaviour, making it sometimes challenging for them to engage
and interact in group workshops and events.
Marianne is 11 years old and loves art and craft,
rollerblading, gymnastics, swimming and playing the piano. She was also
diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum at two years of age. Marianne
recently attended one of the autism friendly Microsoft Minecraft workshops,
after watching her brother play the game at home.
“We tried to attend a non-autism inclusive
Minecraft workshop in the past, but the loud noises and large groups of people
were too distressing and distracting for Marianne. At the autism friendly
workshop, the smaller group, dimmer lights and awareness of some of the issues
that the individual kids in the group faced made it easier for Marianne to
concentrate and made me feel more relaxed”, commented Marianne’s mum Meliana.
Microsoft Store Sydney worked closely with Aspect
to develop an approved format for the new workshops and to create an inclusive
environment within the Store during these times. Changes to the format included
dimmed lighting, reduced noise and training of Microsoft Store staff to better
understand the needs of kids on the autism spectrum.
The new workshops allow children on the autism
spectrum to immerse themselves in Minecraft, meet and have fun with other
builders in the area, and stretch their skills with timed challenges.
Matthew Oastler,
Aspect Practice Consultant said“Social situations can sometimes be difficult for kids on the autism
spectrum due to a range of sensory, social and communication barriers.
Engaging in a game like Minecraft breaks down some of those barriers and
provides a great opportunity for kids on the autism spectrum to be creative and
have fun in a safe environment, while developing skills in planning,
communication and collaboration. We’re really excited to be working with the
Microsoft Store Sydney, who are committed to developing and delivering a
meaningful program of workshops tailored specifically to kids on the autism
spectrum.”
Jessica Erhart, Community Development
Specialist at the flagship Microsoft Store Sydney, commented on the workshops saying,
“An estimated 1 in 70 Australians are on the autism spectrum. These individuals
are a part of our community and we want to provide them with every opportunity
that we can.
“Microsoft Store is committed to
creating an innovative learning environment where every child feels included,
comfortable, supported and empowered. With the training and support from
Aspect, Microsoft Store Sydney has developed its autism
friendly Minecraft workshops to address the growing need for more inclusive,
autism friendly spaces, serving part of its Sydney community.
The first publicly available workshop will take
place at Microsoft Store Sydney on Sunday 17 November 2019.
About the workshops:
Date/time: Every fortnight, alternating Saturday and Sunday
Location: Microsoft Store – Flagship on Pitt St Mall, Sydney
Autism
Friendly Minecraft Build Challenge
This free Minecraft
workshop is hosted specifically for children on the autism spectrum, aged 8 –
14, to create and build in Minecraft. This workshop is a great way for
players to immerse themselves in Minecraft, meet and have fun with other
builders in the area, and stretch their skills with timed challenges.
The Microsoft Store will
offer a reduced sensory experience inside the Community Theatre for the
duration of the workshop, including dimmed lighting and lowered music. These
are small group sessions as part of Microsoft Store’s ongoing commitment to
accessibility and inclusivity in support of our community. Parents and siblings
are welcome to participate.
Register here
About Autism Spectrum Australia:
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)is Australia’s
largest autism-specific service provider, with one of the biggest
autism-specific school programs in the world. A not-for-profit organisation,
Aspect work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum, and
their families to deliver evidence-informed solutions that are person-centred,
family-focused and customer driven. Their services provide people on the autism
spectrum with the opportunity to realise their unique potential, as well as
providing much-needed support to their families, carers, friends and
colleagues.
About Microsoft
Store:
Microsoft Store in
Sydney is a retail experience that blends the traditional retail space with the
innovative technology and values, that is part of Microsoft’s DNA. Microsoft
Store removes barriers between people, their ideas, and ways to pursue them, to
create an experience where customer can learn, create, achieve and be
empowered. The autism friendly Minecraft workshops are the latest
sessions Microsoft Store offer to help children create, learn new skills and
achieve more.
