Dolphin Discovery is the latest attraction to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC) to help ensure guests and families with children who have autism have the best possible experience. Parents with children on the autism spectrum often find vacationing to be a challenge due to sensory needs, dietary restrictions and safety concerns.
IBCCES is excited to announce our recent partnership with City Catt, a P2P Trip Planning Startup, to help families with individuals on the autism spectrum plan trips around their sensory challenges. The new program, called Autism on the Go, connects traveling families with trained and certified residents living in their destination cities that help them find the best places to visit and accommodate their needs. Starting today, City Catt is recruiting locals interested in working as Autism Certified Catts.
City Catt’s model connects any traveler with like-minded locals – called Catts – that can help them plan trips to their cities or even guide them through attractions. By partnering with IBCCES, they are now able to connect families and individuals with Catts who are also Autism Certified living in these destination cities. The platform already has Catts in 26 US states and is expanding! Travelers and their families have specific needs and expectations, and by being able to talk to locals, they can ask questions, get suggestions and build a customized itinerary, instead of scavenging the web for reliable information.
Learn more about the program at autism.citycatt.com.
Inclusion and Neurodiversity are the Norm When Teaching Digital Technology Skills to Youth
Pixel Academy is the most recent organization to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC), a designation awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The Pixel Academy, located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, implemented a training and certification program for members of its staff provided by IBCCES to further its commitment to students with autism or sensory sensitivities. The Pixel Academy teaches digital technology skills to children age 7-16 and has found many of its members are on the autism spectrum.
Space Center Houston is the first space center in the world to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC). The designation, given by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), is awarded to organizations who have completed a professional training and review process with the goal to better serve individuals with autism and other sensory needs.
“Science, technology, engineering and mathematics education is for everyone,” said William T. Harris, the center’s president and CEO. “This certification highlights our dedication to be inclusive and to inspire the next generation of problem solvers.”
Santa Barbara Zoo is the first zoo on the West Coast to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC), which is a designation that demonstrates the Zoo’s commitment to ensuring guests and families with children who have autism have the best possible experience. Parents with children on the autism spectrum often find vacationing and visiting new places to be a challenge due to sensory needs, dietary restrictions and safety concerns. With this certification, guests can rest assured staff and the grounds are prepared to welcome everyone, regardless of their needs.
The number of people diagnosed with autism and other cognitive disorders is increasing, and the world is becoming more aware of how we should accommodate individuals with special needs. The travel and hospitality industry must also demonstrate that destinations and staff are equipped to offer the best experience possible, whatever an individual’s hidden disability. If not, organizations risk losing those guests to a competitor.
Elmwood Park Zoo is the first zoo in the world to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC). The designation, given by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), is awarded to organizations who have completed a training and review process with the goal to better serve individuals with autism and other sensory needs.
By: Elayne Pearson, CAS, and proud parent of an autistic daughter
Most mothers confess their child’s Junior Prom is something she looks forward to with pride and joy. For me, dreaming about the magical night with a formal dinner and dance for Miss Heidi Ann brought fear and dread. Bless her heart, even though Heidi was in high school, she was in Special Education, and was well behind her peers in most basic levels. “Prom” would be very tricky.
Certification readied for April’s Autism Awareness month and start of new season
Sesame Place®, the nation’s only theme park based entirely on the award-winning show Sesame Street®, in conjunction with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), today announced the completion of a staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training at the theme park. The completion designates Sesame Place as a Certified Autism Center (CAC) as distinguished by IBCCES, — the first theme park in the world to receive such a distinction. The certification aligns with National Autism Awareness Month and comes as the park readies for its 38th season, opening on April 28, 2018.
By: Carol S. Weinman, Esq., CAS, International Speaker and Autism Legal Expert
“Wow….a non-litigious lawyer – now that’s refreshing!” Those were the words uttered from an attendee of the Special Education session I presented at the February International Symposium on Cognitive Research and Disorders in St. Augustine, Florida. The session was entitled “How Best to Avoid Special Education Litigation.” My foremost guidance, as simple as it may sound, is cooperation and collaboration.