Visit Anaheim is now a Certified Autism Center (CAC), which is a designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). IBCCES awards this credential to organizations whose staff have completed specialized training and a certification process to better understand and assist autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors and their families when visiting the Anaheim area.
“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.”
The Visit Anaheim team completing the CAC program is the first step in their initiative to make Anaheim the next Certified Autism Destination (CAD), which means visitors have multiple trained and certified options to choose from when in the area, including entertainment, recreation and hospitality options. Visit Anaheim has partnered with IBCCES to involve key tourism, hospitality and recreation organizations in the community to complete autism training and certification, helping earn the community designation to attract new visitors to the area and better serve residents.
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 programs include evidence-based content as well as the perspectives of autistic individuals, alongside other resources, ongoing support, and renewal requirements to ensure there is continued learning and a lasting impact.
Good to know: IBCCES also manages AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for families that lists certified destinations and resources to plan their leisure experiences. Each destination listed on the site has met the Certified Autism Center (CAC) requirements.
For more information, visit www.visitanaheim.org.
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