The ACC designation is awarded by IBCCES to communities where key stakeholders, including healthcare, education, local government, hospitality, leisure, and corporate members, are trained and certified to better serve individuals with autism and other cognitive disorders. IBCCES is the only credentialing board working with communities to bring 20 years of industry knowledge and leadership so they become truly inclusive and accessible for all. This designation provides benefits to residents and visitors as the community comes together to ensure there are options for everyone.
Community Stakeholders Work Together
HOSPITALITY
Hotels, restaurants and other venues will be more aware of how to better serve individuals and families with children on the autism spectrum, resulting in better customer service and improved guest experience.
WORKPLACE NEURODIVERSITY
Large and small employers can benefit by learning how to better manage, attract, and retain a neurodivergent workforce - which includes those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, and other neurotypes. Support and inclusion in hiring and management is critical to ensure individuals of all abilities can be successful, and also helps organizations be competitive, effective, and profitable by tapping an under-utliized talent pool.
EDUCATION
Educators and other personnel such as bus drivers and paraprofessionals will be able to better identify and work with autistic students or those with other cognitive differences. Tutoring organizations, learning centers and others up to date, multidisciplinary information to help them improve outcomes and connect with the community.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Law enforcement and first responders will be better equipped to interact with individuals with autism and other sensory disorders in a positive way.
HEALTHCARE
Hospitals, Emergency Departments, and clinics can better serve and connect with the community and ensure accurate diagnosis, effective and efficient visits, and better care and experiences for all patients.
RECREATION + ENTERTAINMENT
Parks and recreation venues, theaters, family entertainment centers, and attractions will be able to better serve guests and help them customize their experience, allowing these organizations to attract and serve more families, as well as increase staff empowerment and morale.
TRAINING: Industry and position-specific training and certification from clinical experts as well as autistic self-advocates
VALIDATION: The knowledge and readiness of each staff member is validated via independent assessment
VERIFICATION: Onsite facilities audit, if applicable, is performed to provide additional recommendations and process updates to ensure compliance and enhance accommodations
CERTIFICATION: Certification is granted to those who have gone above and beyond to make their organization more accessible for individuals with autism and other special needs
Once you become an Autism Certified City, you will be featured as a certified community on AutismTravel.com, which was developed by IBCCES as a credible resource to help autistic individuals and their families and friends connect with trained and certified destinations, attractions, and related options.
“The Autism Certification program has energized our Chamber Members and the overall response has been phenomenal. We have had everyone from very large multinational manufacturing companies to small coffee shops sign up to become certified and support the community Autism initiative.” – Sally Harrison President/CEO Mesa Chamber of Commerce
“The City of Mesa is known as a community with high core values and a huge heart. Not only is the Mesa Autism Initiative the right thing to do for our community but it will also help raise our profile which will help us recruit visitors, new companies and bring new jobs to our residents.” – Mayor John Giles, City of Mesa
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Find Out More About Becoming An Autism Certified City
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