Since becoming a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) in 2019, the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) has been hard at work to educate and expand its accessibility offerings to help better serve autistic and other sensory-sensitive visitors to Arizona.
As the number of community members with autism and sensory needs increases, Family Museum continues its commitment to serving all visitors by providing accessible options.
The Phlebotomy Department at Dayton Children’s Hospital is the first of its kind in the nation to earn the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This designation means that the lab and child life teams had to complete a rigorous training and certification program to help them better assist autistic patients or those with other sensory sensitivities. The CAC certification also includes an onsite review to provide support and guidance to accommodate patients with sensory needs.
Visit Visalia is the first destination marketing organization in California to earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Visit Visalia completed training and certification in autism to help families and autistic individuals prepare for their perfect vacation and enjoy the varied travel offerings in and around Visalia.
“Visit Visalia and its Board of Directors are pleased to partner with IBCCES to become an autism-certified destination marketing organization. This important designation will let families and individuals with special needs travel with confidence knowing we have completed this specialized training and can provide a positive vacation experience,” said Anil Chagan, Visit Visalia Board Chair.
Visit Visalia is also initiating a movement with the help of IBCCES to become a Certified Autism Destination (CAD). The CAD designation is awarded to destinations where hospitality and recreation organizations are trained and certified to better serve autistic individuals and those with other sensory disorders. Visit Visalia’s team is taking the first steps to help build a more inclusive community.
Five locations within the City of Tempe have worked together to collectively earn the designation as a Certified Autism Center™. The participating locations include Tempe Public Library, Kiwanis Park, Tempe History Museum, Edna Vihel Arts Center and Tempe Town Lake. The Certified Autism Center™(CAC) designation is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations that complete a training and certification process to better understand and serve autistic individuals and others with sensory needs.
The City of Mesa is maintaining its promise to serve people of all abilities. The Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department has once again received the Certified Autism Center™ designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). In addition, the City is also joining the Global WeThe15 campaign, which aims to represent and transform the lives of persons with disabilities. Through this campaign, Mesa commits to removing barriers faced by persons with disabilities and promote respect and inclusivity. In 2019 the City of Mesa department became the first parks and recreation organization in the world to obtain the certification, which demonstrates the Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department’s commitment to ensuring guests with autism and sensory sensitivities have the best possible experience at its facilities.
The Athena Center for Special Education is now a Certified Autism Center™, designated by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), and is the second center in Bahrain to earn this designation. To meet the CAC requirements, center staff completed a training and certification program to help them ensure autistic students can have optimal educational outcomes.
Care & Share Thrift Shoppes is now a Certified Autism Center™, designated by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). To earn the designation, staff have completed autism training and certification in order to better understand and work with autistic visitors and supporters.
Boyertown Community Ambulance Service is now a Certified Autism Center™, designated by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This designation means that EMS staff and first responders have received position-specific training to enhance their understanding and sensitivity when helping autistic individuals or those with other sensory sensitivities. The Boyertown Community Ambulance raised $6,000 in funds to train staff and purchase sensory kits for their ambulances.
The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is now a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC). This designation is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and means Chamber board members have completed training and certification to enhance their ability to assist the community as a whole and better understand those with autism or other sensory needs.
