Championing Inclusive Hospitality: JW Marriott Hotel Marina Leads the Way

Championing Inclusive Hospitality: JW Marriott Hotel Marina Leads the Way

In the heart of Dubai Marina, the JW Marriott Hotel Marina is setting a powerful precedent for inclusive travel. As part of Dubai’s pioneering movement in the Middle East to become a Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD), the hotel earned its Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation through IBCCES. We sat down with Mar Falguera Garriga, the hotel’s former Head of Quality, to explore the journey behind the certification, the cultural shifts it inspired, and what it means for the future of hospitality in Dubai and beyond.
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MAY
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Blog, blog, Travel, Autism

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Dubai Airports is Redefining Travel for Autistic Guests

Dubai Airports is Redefining Travel for Autistic Guests

Dubai Airports, already renowned as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs, has taken another significant step forward by achieving the designation of a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This initiative forms a critical part of Dubai’s broader vision as a Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD), ensuring that every traveler, regardless of ability, experiences a welcoming, accessible journey.

Fatma Taher, Manager – Government Agenda at Dubai Airports, has played an instrumental role in Dubai Airports’ autism certification initiative. She recently shared insights with the IBCCES team about the motivations, challenges, and transformative impact of this work on both guests and the organization’s culture.
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Travel, Autism, Blog

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Living Inclusion: A Mother’s Perspective on Dubai’s Journey to Becoming a Certified Autism Destination™

Living Inclusion: A Mother’s Perspective on Dubai’s Journey to Becoming a Certified Autism Destination™

As Dubai steps confidently into its role as a Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) with IBCCES, the voices of families impacted by autism are vital in painting the full picture of progress. One of those voices belongs to Shelove Zaongo Simeon, a Dubai-based mother of two children, one of whom is autistic, whose story is both a reflection of how far the city has come and a reminder of how far awareness and inclusion can take us.
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APR
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Blog, Travel, Autism

The CDC Raises the Autism Diagnosis Rate to 1 in 31 Children in the US

Autism Diagnosis Rate in each reporting US state or territory.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced an update in the diagnosis rate of autism among school-aged children to 1 in 31 within the United States. The diagnosis rate is an estimation based on 2022 data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network and is based on reporting from 14 states and Puerto Rico and represents an increase from the previous rate of 1 in 36 based on 2020 data. Overall, findings indicate a range in diagnosis among the states and territories from 14.6 in 1,000 in Texas to 53.1 in 1,000 in California. These rising numbers underscore a critical and growing need for robust community support, inclusive public health initiatives, and equitable access to diagnostic services. As autism diagnoses become more common across a broader demographic spectrum, the call to move beyond awareness toward genuine acceptance and increased support for autistic individuals and their families has never been more apparent.

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News

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