The measures include an afternoon a week during which the museums will be transformed into more friendly spaces for people on the autism spectrum, through softer lighting, the lowering of audio volumes, different access routes and specifically-trained staff.

In addition, visits to both museums are not facilitated by visual social stories and sensory maps available on Heritage Malta’s website. The maps highlight areas of the museums which might prove to be sensorily overwhelming to people on the autism spectrum, due to bright lights, loud audio, glass floors or chemical smells. The quiet room, which is a space where visitors may retreat in case of sensory overload, is also highlighted.

The visual stories provide people on the autism spectrum with a preview of what they would be experiencing in the museum, thus creating a sense of familiarity prior to the actual visit. Through numerous photographs, social stories also provide visual details that ease the visit further, such as the location of lockers and restrooms, as well as accessibility. In its commitment towards increased accessibility for all sectors of society, Heritage Malta plans to introduce autism-friendly measures in other museums and sites.