Visit Anaheim, the official DMO for Anaheim, California, is now a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), a designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
IBCCES awards the credential to organizations whose staff have completed specialized training and a certification process to better understand and assist autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. The Visit Anaheim team completed the training to better serve individuals with autism when visiting the Anaheim area.
The initiative is part of a larger partnership between Visit Anaheim and the IBCCES to make Anaheim a Certified Autism Destination (CAD), which means visitors with autism will soon have multiple trained and certified entertainment, recreation and hospitality options to choose from when in the area. Visit Anaheim and IBCCES plan to involve key tourism, hospitality and recreation organizations in the Anaheim area to complete the autism training and certification to help Anaheim become a CAD.
"Visit Anaheim’s designation as a Certified Autism Center signifies our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility," said Christina Dawson, senior vice president of operations at Visit Anaheim. “It’s not just about what our city offers; it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can experience the magic of our vibrant destination.”
For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been a leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for healthcare, education, and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES also manages AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for families that lists certified destinations and resources to plan their leisure experiences.
“IBCCES is proud to present Visit Anaheim with the Certified Autism Center™ designation, signifying their ongoing commitment to creating a warm welcome for every person that visits their city,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “We’re excited to continue working with the city on their continued inclusivity initiative to become a Certified Autism Destination™ and further expand their accessibility offerings.”
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