Mastercard Inclusion Hub – Designing Hospitality Alongside Autistic Australians and People with Sensory Differences

This project exists because of Mastercard’s vision and commitment to inclusion by design. The challenge was to create something that goes beyond what’s already available and to provide clear direction for meaningfully engaging with the autistic community.One in 40 Australians identify as autistic, yet many everyday spaces remain inaccessible to them. This project is about changing that through action, not awareness.Today led the digital experience design and build, working in close partnership with Autism CRC and guided by Mastercard’s Asia Pacific marketing and communications team, led by Julie Nestor, who championed this work every step of the way.

The Hub is designed as a fast, no-nonsense reference tool. The interface gets out of the way, allowing hospitality owners to quickly identify and save measures that are right-sized and high-impact for their context—whether that's quiet hours, staff training, or Sensory Notes.Sensory Notes is a new menu framework that describes dishes in sensory detail—unpacking the appearance, preparation, arrangement and taste, rather than simply listing ingredients. Unlike traditional menus, it gives autistic people and those with sensory sensitivities the information they need to dine with confidence.

Sensory Notes was piloted at the Australian Open’s Wonder Pies and Peach Melbourne venues, as well as The Mulberry Group’s Hazel Melbourne. Kerry Tavrou, Head of Inclusion & Diversity at Tennis Australia, said: “We’re committed to making the Australian Open the benchmark of sporting inclusivity. By featuring Sensory Notes on our Accessible page, introducing QR signage at Wonder Pies and Peach Melbourne, and promoting them within the BallPark sensory room, we’re giving neurodiverse fans the tools they need to feel informed and supported throughout their AO experience.”