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Low-stimulus shopping for more participation

Quiet hour: low-stimulus shopping for more participation

Together for a city center with less sensory overload, more inclusion and relaxed shopping: Since July 2025, participating stores in Wiesbaden's city center have been much quieter every Thursday from 3 to 5 pm.

Wiesbaden's city center is a place of encounters, diversity and shared experiences.

However, for many people, visiting stores or restaurants can be very stressful - for example due to bright lights, loud music and noises or constant acoustic signals. This flood of stimuli can be particularly challenging for people with sensory sensitivities, such as autism, ADHD, migraines or Long Covid.

With the new "Silent Hour" initiative, the state capital of Wiesbaden, together with the Hessian Ministry of Labor, Integration, Youth and Social Affairs and the association gemeinsam zusammen e.V., is setting an example for greater accessibility and social participation.

However, a stimulus-reduced environment not only makes everyday life and access to the city center easier for people with special sensory needs, but also creates a more pleasant atmosphere for everyone when shopping.

This benefits not only the customers but also the employees in the participating stores.

Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in public life - regardless of individual needs or limitations.

Lord Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende, patron of the project

Measures in the "quiet hour"

The participating stores are much quieter on Thursdays from 3 to 5 pm:

  • Dimmed lighting reduces bright visual stimuli
  • Background music is turned down or switched off completely.
  • Loudspeaker announcements are avoided where possible.
  • There are quiet points or personal consultation appointments - adapted to the possibilities

Participating companies

Become a partner now

Would you also like to get involved? Then send a strong signal for more inclusion and customer proximity! Whether you are a retail store, fashion boutique, optician or supermarket - every establishment can take part and design its own "Silent Hour". Your contacts:

With the launch of the 'Silent Hour', we are focusing on voluntariness, commitment and joint action. I cordially invite all retailers to join this project - as a contribution to living diversity and future-oriented inner city development.

Mayor and Head of Economic Affairs Christiane Hinninger

Documents

Flyer Silent HourPDF-File2,15 MB

Further information

Picture gallery

The Silent Hour was presented at a press conference on June 25. The photo shows (from left to right): Municipal Inclusion Officer, Andrea Hausy, Lord Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende, State Secretary Manuela Strube from the Ministry of Labor, Integration, Youth and Social Affairs, Rebecca Lefévre, co-founder and project manager of "gemeinsam zusammen e.V.", Janine Marz, Managing Director of Luisenforum, Mayor Christiane Hinninger, Karin Mültin from City Management, Daniela Hill from the Expert Council, Jens Ackermann, Head of City Management and Detlef Berg, Managing Director of Galeria
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden

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