Since becoming a Certified Autism Center™ in 2019, Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa has been an important partner to help maintain Mesa’s city designation as an Autism Certified City. This year, the hotel renewed its commitment to meeting the CAC standards, designated by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which require staff to complete a training and certification program to better understand and welcome autistic guests and their families.

“Training is so important to all of us in the hospitality industry. Our team is united with the City of Mesa, the nation’s first Autism Certified City, in their efforts to welcome guests into our city. Our ongoing training and certification shows our commitment to serving the autistic community,” said Janet Hof, general manager of Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa. “Our entire leadership team and front line associates completed the training and are excited to continue to learn and grow to find new ways to be more accommodating.”

As autism diagnosis rates continue to rise, many autistic travelers and their families may hesitate to travel or try new activities due to past experiences and concern their needs will not be met. To meet this need, IBCCES created training and certification programs specifically for the hospitality and travel industry that include not only training but also other supports such as onsite reviews, sensory guides, and more.

“We’re excited to continue to partner Delta Hotels and the Mesa community. Leaders in the hospitality industry know that we need to prioritize accessibility to ensure autistic guests or those with other disabilities are in the forefront and have positive experiences. Our certification programs are designed to propel progress in that area to ensure standards are upheld and there is long-term support for these organizations,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman.

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