La Boqueria market has become the first market in the world to be designated a safe zone for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In collaboration with the international organisation Autism Friendly Club, la Boqueria has taken a fundamental step toward making the gastronomic and cultural experience more accessible for people with this condition.

The president of la Boqueria, Jordi Mas, and the president of the Autism Friendly Club association, Alberto Gutiérrez, presented the project, which includes the installation of pictograms at every stall in the market, QR codes linking to an adapted guide, and specialised training for stallholders. Sensory kits have also been created to help manage the sensory challenges that people with ASD often experience; these include stress balls and noise-reducing items.

These measures aim to ensure that autistic people and their families can fully enjoy la Boqueria. During the presentation, Jordi Mas emphasised that “the best market in the world must set an example for other markets and be influential globally. This is our responsibility, and for that reason we must lead the way in adapting to the needs of people with ASD.”

Mas also highlighted that “a market is not only a place to sell food; it goes further than that — it is gastronomy, culture, human sensitivity.” He announced that a second phase will be launched in the future, including adapting restaurant menus to improve comprehension for the neurodivergent community, as well as workshops designed to enhance the sensory pleasure of the market experience. “At la Boqueria there are families with ASD children, which means there is already a high level of awareness. We have trained our staff and everyone is very enthusiastic about the project,” he added.

The president of the Autism Friendly Club stressed that what has been launched today is a “cognitive accessibility programme,” which — unlike measures to improve physical accessibility — is not regulated by law. “We are not legally required to install pictograms to facilitate access for people with ASD. No law mandates the full inclusion of neurodivergent people. That is why raising awareness is essential.” He noted that there are around 90 million people with ASD worldwide, 9 million in Europe, around 800,000 in Spain, and approximately 60,000 in Catalonia.

“Pictograms are very important because they are visual supports that allow people with ASD to identify what they will encounter. Visual context is essential. For a neurodivergent brain, nothing is intuitive. We do not want to speak about inclusion, but about shared spaces — that is what la Boqueria has become today. The world is built for neurotypical people, when 16% of the global population is neurodivergent. People with ASD need to anticipate and know what they will find at the market, which is why the guide we have added on la Boqueria’s website is so important,” he explained.

With this initiative, la Boqueria joins a global network of more than 600 adapted spaces in sectors such as hospitality, food service, education, and retail, showing that inclusion is not only possible but can also drive social and economic change.