IBCCES is the global leader in training and certification for healthcare professionals, educators and corporate partners who work with individuals with autism and other cognitive disorders. Our reach extends to more than 2 million people in all 50 states and over 70 countries around the globe. IBCCES Member Learning Community is provided as a free service to all IBCCES members who have completed one or more of our training and certification programs.
Giving Families A Reason To Travel: A Certified Autism Travel Professional’s Perspective
Posted with permission from Joanna Hinrichs, All About You Tour & Travel
I have always wanted to be a travel agent since I was 18 and graduated from high school. My first trip was to Mexico with my cousins, and I was hooked. I went to travel school in the late 80s and had the privilege of working for AAA Nebraska for 5 years. I decided to open my own home-based travel agency about 12 years ago in a little town in Nebraska with a population of 450 people. I also have a teaching degree and substitute teach in our local K-12 grade schools. I have a lot of experience working with kiddos on the Autism spectrum, ranging from low to high-functioning.
I continue to substitute part-time to help our schools out when they need me to, but my career is as a travel agency owner and travel professional with All About You Tour & Travel, which I created 12 years ago. My goal is to get my guests to their dream destination for whatever their occasion may be and provide them with the best options to fit their needs.
That is where the Beaches Resorts and other certified destinations will come into play with my new focus on travel for families [Beaches Resorts has completed training and has been designated a Certified Autism Center by IBCCES]. I will still be selling honeymoons, destination weddings, groups, and other travel, but I want to focus on giving families living with autism a reason to travel, a reason to feel safe, and a destination available that is equipped to cater to their needs. Beaches Resorts has stepped up to the challenge of making travel accessible to EVERYONE!
My 11-year-old son has Asperger’s. At first, I didn’t want to accept it or take him places because of how he acted and behaved. It took several years for us to accept that he was on the Autism Spectrum. He used to tell us that he doesn’t feel normal. But you know what…he IS normal… in a different way. We tell him that everyone is special in their own way and that he is a gift to us. Making our kids and teens feel special in their own way and giving them a travel destination that will cater to their needs, with professionally trained and certified staff, will open up a whole new world for these families – and for us travel professionals that embrace this wonderful opportunity we have been given.
My goal is to shift my travel business to Autism travel for 2018 and beyond. I will make every opportunity to contact organizations, families, and friends with loved ones on the autism spectrum, and get the word out there that WE HAVE TRAVEL OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE….and EVERYTHING is included. I am hoping to see Autism-dedicated weeks and activities offered at these certified destinations and hope to help in making that process a reality for these families!