Boomers Boca Raton Implements Specialized Training to Better Serve Guests
OCT
St. Augustine Sailing achieves the Certified Autism Centerâ„¢ (CAC) designation from The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification is given to organizations that have committed to ongoing efforts to create a welcoming, inclusive and accommodating environment for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and their families. To earn this designation, staff undergo an autism-specific training and certification program to better equip the organization with the necessary skills and resources to provide the best experience possible for all guests.Â
Boomers Parks and Big Kahuna’s Water Parks Implement Specialized Training to Better Serve Guests
The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and its Ponte Vedra Visitors Information Center, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau (VCB), in collaboration with Old Town Trolley Tours® & Attractions of St. Augustine, proudly announce their achievement as Certified Autism Centers™ (CAC). These certifications, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), reflect the commitment of these organizations to welcome and support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. The certification program is funded with a matching grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is proud to be working with the County on reviewing grant applications from tourism and hospitality businesses who apply. Members of the Grant Review Committee are Stephen Hudson, Committee Chair from Digital Mark; Todd Hickey, Committee Member from Marriott Sawgrass, and Erin Wallner, Committee member from Flagler Health+.
The Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) at Easterseals Southwest Florida earns the Certified Autism Centerâ„¢ (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). To achieve the Certified Autism Centerâ„¢ designation, the Center for Excellence met requirements which includes a commitment to the highest standards of autism care, having at least 80% of staff trained and certified, and a dedication to engaging in specialized autism training on an ongoing basis. By meeting these criteria, Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing enhanced care and support for autistic individuals.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to become a Certified Autism Centerâ„¢. This collaboration aims to ensure that autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals can visit with confidence.Â
Discover The Palm Beaches, the official tourism marketing organization for Palm Beach County, Florida, proudly announces the implementation of an accessibility program aimed at bettering the community’s preparedness to welcome all travelers, no matter their ability level. The accessibility plan focuses on enhancing information and resources through strategic partnerships and assessments with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Wheel the World and Travelability. The goal is to help the destination improve accessibility for all travelers by identifying places to stay and things to do, educating partners and providing resources for adaptability.Â
Jacksonville Icemen’s Community First Igloo works with IBCCES to become a more welcoming space for all visitors.
The Jacksonville Icemen’s Community First Igloo has achieved the accolade of becoming the first hockey team sports venue to earn Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation. This designation is awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to help make venues like the Community First Igloo more accessible to autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals by completing autism-specific training and certification to better understand and welcome these visitors, who may find it challenging to visit unfamiliar places. IBCCES also conducted an onsite review to provide additional ways the venue can accommodate visitors and create detailed sensory guides for each area as part of the certification process.
Experience Florida’s Sports Coast (EFSC) destination marketing organization has earned the Certified Autism Centerâ„¢ (CAC), a designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations that have completed autism-specific training and certification to better understand and welcome autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors and their families. EFSC’s CAC certification is the first step in the organization’s initiative to help the Sports Coast area, which includes New Port Richey, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, and Zephyrhills communities, achieve the designation of Certified Autism Destinationâ„¢ (CAD) to attract new visitors to the area and expand accessibility offerings.
Island H2O Live! has earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The certification demonstrates the park’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for guests with autism and other sensory disorders.
To receive the CAC designation, Island H2O Live! staff completed autism sensitivity and awareness training to learn how to better communicate and engage with guests with sensory needs and their family members, as well as safety concerns and protocols. The park also completed an onsite review from IBCCES to further enhance the guest experience, including sensory guides which will be provided for visitors to better understand sensory impacts of all rides.