DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld Earns Certified Autism Center™ Designation

DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld Earns Certified Autism Center™ Designation

Orlando Hotel Among First to Earn Autism Certification

DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld Earns Certified Autism Center™ Designation

DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, spanning 28 acres within the heart of International Drive, has completed the certification programming required to earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation. This designation is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and ensures staff have the best training to provide guests with autism, or other sensory needs, an experience tailored to their needs. DoubleTree by Hilton at SeaWorld joins their neighboring partners and fellow Certified Autism Centers SeaWorld® Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove to become an inclusive destination for all.

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Press Release, Travel

First Certified Autism Center™ in South America Announced

First Certified Autism Center™ in South America Announced

Juve Travel Peru is the first organization in South America to become a Certified Autism Center™  (CAC). The CAC designation is awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education (IBCCES) to organizations who have completed a training and review process and are committed to serving individuals with autism and other sensory needs.

Travel and new experiences can be one of the most intellectually stimulating events for individuals on the autism spectrum, yet there are still few trained and certified travel options for families looking for destinations able to accommodate their needs. Organizations like IBCCES and industry leaders such as Juve Travel Peru are working to change that. Continue Reading →

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Press Release, Travel

Partnership Between UNO Parks and IBCCES leads to the First Certified Autism Center™ in Europe

Partnership Between UNO Parks and IBCCES leads to the First Certified Autism Center™ in Europe

Two members of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) have created a long-term partnership to create options for families with autism and other cognitive disorders to enjoy amusement parks, rope courses and other attractions all over the world. UNO Parks is a treetop adventure park architect group in the Baltics with over 42 parks built worldwide. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) is the industry leader in autism training and certification. Via this partnership they have a goal of training and certifying UNO Parks’ indoor and outdoor adventure parks both in Baltics and Worldwide. Continue Reading →

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50 “Accessible Hacks” to Make Travel More Enjoyable for People with a Disability.

50 “Accessible Hacks” to Make Travel More Enjoyable for People with a Disability.

Today we are sharing a wonderful blog from the founder of TravelAbility Summit, Jake Steinman.

“TravelAbility Summit, the inaugural gathering of industry professionals dedicated to improving travel experiences for people with disabilities that will be held in San Francisco November 11-13th, is releasing the names of 50 technologies, products, and services that will help the travel industry level-up their accessibility. The 50 final products make travel easier for all and were based on the feedback of people with disabilities, technical experts and disability industry leaders.

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Guest Blogger, Travel

Sesame Place + Inclusion: A First-Hand Perspective

Sesame Place + Inclusion: A First-Hand Perspective

Sesame Place was the first theme park in the world to become a Certified Autism Center™(CAC), as designated by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES.) Sesame Place has continued to champion inclusiveness for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and others with special needs. Sesame Place’s goal is to create an environment that welcomes all visitors, and the CAC training and certification process was the first step. Dr. Kerry Magro, autism advocate, best-selling author and professional speaker, shares his thoughts and experiences at Sesame Place:

“By Sesame Place becoming a Certified Autism Center™ and also really being a pioneer for our community, it’s doing incredible, incredible things for our autism community – and helping engage our community to get out there and explore the world around them,” says Dr. Magro.

Sesame Place – Kerry Magro from IBCCES on Vimeo.

Image result for sesame place and autism

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Scuba Diving and Autism Part 3: Reduce Danger and Learn New Skills

Learning Water Skills Can Help Reduce the Danger of Water

It is widely known that drowning is a major concern for children with autism, which sometimes leads parents to avoid water altogether.

Also, if individuals on the spectrum have not developed a level of comfort or the proper skillset to know what to do when confronted with water, this could lead to sensory overload when those encounters occur. Signs of sensory overload can vary for each individual, but typically there are ways to recognize these signs and reduce or prevent sensory overload or “meltdowns”.

It is usually easier for a parent or someone other than the person with autism to recognize these signs and to act on them before it is too late. While children can and should be trained themselves on how to try and recognize these signs and take steps for prevention of sensory overload, this is usually a lifelong process of continual refinement (and hopefully improvement).

This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to have children with autism have experiences in water with trained professionals. If they can develop a comfort level and get practice in the water under proper supervision, then being around water will be that much safer for them in other areas of life.

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Courtyard Phoenix Mesa Receives Certified Autism Center Designation

Courtyard Phoenix Mesa Receives Certified Autism Center Designation

Parents with children on the autism spectrum often find choosing travel and vacation options a challenge due to sensory needs, dietary restrictions and safety concerns. To address this need, Courtyard Phoenix Mesa has earned the designation of Certified Autism Center (CAC), awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The certification means that the hotel is committed to serving guests with autism and sensory needs and have completed training to ensure guests can enjoy the best possible experience.

The Courtyard Phoenix Mesa also joins a growing number of organizations that are becoming certified in Arizona, a movement inspired by the work of the Visit Mesa organization and that community’s goal to become the most autism inclusive in the world. Continue Reading →

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Autism and Water Affinity: Increase Awareness and Reduce the Danger of Water

Autism and Water Affinity: Increase Awareness and Reduce the Danger of Water

Awareness and Proper Supervision Can Help Reduce the Danger of Water

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism and recent reports show that children with ASD are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than the general population of children (Gleeson, 2016), which sometimes leads to parents avoiding water all together.

Also, if individuals on the spectrum have not developed a level of comfort or the proper skillset to know what to do when confronted with water, this could lead to sensory overload when those encounters occur. Signs of sensory overload can vary for each individual, but typically there are ways to recognize these signs and reduce or prevent sensory overload or “meltdowns”.

This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to have children with autism have experiences in water with trained professionals. If they can develop a comfort level and get practice in the water under proper supervision, then being around water will be that much safer for them in other areas of life.

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NY Times: Rolling Out the Welcome Mat for Travelers With Autism

A growing number of theme parks, hotels and special attractions are introducing autism training and sensory guides.

 
 

The Thibault family at Rio Secreto, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, 2017. From left, Chris, Sebastian, Tristan, Emerson and Nicole Thibault.Credit via Thibault family

By Elaine Glusac (o

When Nicole Thibault had her first child, she imagined traveling everywhere with him. But by age 2, he would become upset by simply passing a restaurant that smelled of garlic. Waiting in line elicited tantrums and crowded places overwhelmed him. Autism was diagnosed within the year.

“I thought maybe our family dream of travel wouldn’t happen,” said Ms. Thibault, 46, of Fairport, N.Y., who now has three children. But she spent the next three years learning to prepare her son for travel by watching videos of future destinations and attractions so that he would know what to expect. The preparation helped enable him, now 14 and well-traveled, to enjoy adventures as challenging as exploring caves in Mexico. It also encouraged Ms. Thibault to launch a business, Magical Storybook Travels, planning travel for families with special needs.

Now the travel industry is catching up to the family. A growing number of theme parks, special attractions and hotels are introducing autism training and sensory guides that highlight triggers, providing resources in times of need and assuring families they won’t be judged.

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Press Release, Guest Blog, Travel, News, Autism

Scuba Diving and Autism Part 2: How Autism Certification Helps

Scuba Diving and Autism Part 2: How Autism Certification Helps

Children with autism are often drawn to water, but without proper training, water can also be a real danger to them. PADI instructors partnering with IBCCES can be an important part of helping these children remain safe and become more comfortable around water.

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children with autism. Much of this is preventable by teaching children who are naturally drawn to water better skills for how to swim and manage themselves when they are in the water.

Many families want to help their child develop new skills and abilities, but they have a hard time finding places to do it.

How Autism Certification Can Make a Difference

“Often the road block isn’t the children, it’s finding programs, instructors, and businesses that are willing to adapt their ‘normal’ operations to accommodate and meet the needs for special needs children.” -Chris O’Shea, parent of a child on the autism spectrum (see Chris O’Shea’s original blog post). Continue Reading →

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