In an effort to continue the commitment to welcoming autistic visitors and those with sensory needs, ZooMontana recently completed its renewal process for its Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation. The zoo, which has held the designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) since 2022, has diligently worked to meet renewal requirements and enhance its accessibility options.

“ZooMontana is honored to be a Certified Autism Center™ because every individual deserves an inclusive and welcoming experience,” says Jeff Ewelt, executive director of ZooMontana. “Embracing autism certification isn’t just about meeting standards; it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their unique needs, can enjoy and connect with the wonders of ZooMontana. It’s a commitment to empathy, understanding, and the belief that diversity enriches our community.”

Recently, ZooMontana completed its construction of the Foster Waterfowl Refuge, which is designated to be a natural flythrough for migrating waterfowl and complete with waterfalls, native plants, and an underwater fish viewing area. The new area is perfect for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Myron Pincomb, chairman of IBCCES, praised ZooMontana for renewing its Certified Autism Center™ designation, saying, “ZooMontana’s commitment to maintaining its Certified Autism Center™ status heightens its dedication to creating an inclusive environment for all visitors. By continuing to meet and exceed our standards, the zoo demonstrates its support for the autism community and its efforts to provide a welcoming and enriching experience for everyone.”

For over 20 years, IBCCES has led the way in providing cognitive disorder training and certification for healthcare, education, and corporate professionals globally. As the only international credentialing board offering training and certification from subject-matter experts and autistic self-advocates, IBCCES equips travel and entertainment organizations with the knowledge and resources they need to better accommodate and support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors and their families.

IBCCES also developed AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for families that lists certified destinations and connects them to additional resources and each other. Every destination on the site has met the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.

About ZooMontana
ZooMontana is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3), AZA accredited educational organization committed to the best in animal care, conservation and wildlife education. As Montana’s only Zoological and Botanical Park, ZooMontana is dedicated to wildlife education and conservation revolving around the 45th parallel of earth. The Zoo is located at 2100 S. Shiloh Rd. in Billings, MT just off the Zoo Drive exit (443) of Interstate 90. Find the Zoo on the web at zoomontana.org and on Facebook. ZooMontana is open every day at 10am.

About IBCCES
Committed to providing The Global Standard for Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.