We know that COVID-19 has had a major impact on everyday activities like shopping for essentials. This includes buying household goods or foods that are needed for an individual’s particular diet.

Although we recognise that some supermarkets and their staff are doing their very best to adapt to this unprecedented situation, we also know that many disabled people, including autistic people, have faced difficulty buying food and other essential items.  

The Equality and Human Rights commission have recognised this, and have issued guidance about  retailers’ legal responsibilities to their disabled customers. They have included simple steps all retailers can take to make sure they are following the law, while also making sure they are not discriminating against people with disabilities and making reasonable adjustments where possible.

What we’re doing to help

We’ve been in touch with each of the major supermarket chains to talk to them about how they can support autistic customers and their families at this time. We have also asked them about individual offers – such as early or exclusive opening for different groups, so that shoppers know when exactly they can visit.

We think it is important for all supermarkets to know that: 

• not all disabilities are visible
• an autistic person or someone who cares for an autistic person will not have ‘proof’ of their disability
• some autistic people may follow strict diets and require specific foods
• autistic people may need more time to process information and instruction.

Supermarkets are extremely busy and difficult to reach at this challenging time. We are contacting the major supermarket retailers to discuss this, and how we can support autistic shoppers during the coronavirus crisis. We are also working with other charities, as we know that many people with different conditions are similarly impacted.

We have asked each of the main supermarkets:

• What is your process for disabled people accessing special shopping hours/delivery slots?
• What can we do to support this?
• What about carers of people who can’t leave the house? Do they get access during priority hours?
• Can you do anything to help autistic people who have a very narrow diet to access particular foods that are low in stock?

What supermarkets are doing to help

Those retailers who have responded with details of their current offers are listed below. These continue even with the easing of lockdown measures. However, there have been some small changes which we have noted. 

Waitrose

An hour at the start of the day is reserved for the elderly and vulnerable who have the greatest need to access shops at this time. This takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

No 'proof' is required from those identifying as vulnerable, but given the government guidelines around social distancing, the number of people accessing the store at any one time is limited, and it is up to store managers to decide who is given priority.

While Waitrose are flexible around allowing carers to benefit from the reserved time in store, aligned with PHE and NHS guidance, they are asking those who are not in the elderly and vulnerable categories to come at other times - so that it lowers the risk of those who may have been exposed to coronavirus being in the same environment as those who are at risk.

Tesco

Tesco are continuing an elderly and vulnerable hour on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9-10am. 

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s are continuing to give priority entry to elderly and vulnerable customers which now takes place between 8 and 9am on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. They also continue to give priority delivery slots to elderly and vulnerable customers, identified by the government shielding list.