Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, a year-round, indoor water park in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, has earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification demonstrates the park’s commitment to ongoing autism awareness training to help staff provide a welcoming environment for visitors on the autism spectrum. The park will also receive an onsite review provided by IBCCES, which includes sensory guides for rides and recommendations to ensure every guest experience is as positive as possible.

For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for education, healthcare, and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES recognized that many families with children who have special needs have limited travel and recreation options. In response to this need, IBCCES created training and certification programs specifically for the attractions and destinations. IBCCES is the only credentialing organization providing this type of certification, which includes evidence-based best practices and the perspectives of individuals with autism, alongside other tools and resources to ensure the program is a long-term commitment and has a lasting impact.

IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for parents that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other. Each destination listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center (CAC) requirements.