Becoming a Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) aims to ensure autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors feel welcomed, safe, and above all, have fun! Becoming a CAD means tourism, hospitality, and entertainment organizations have completed autism and sensory sensitivity and awareness training and other supports from IBCCES.

With over one billion travelers worldwide with sensory or cognitive issues and rising global autism diagnosis rates, there is an overwhelming need for more accessibility options in the travel and entertainment industry. Many autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families find it challenging when visiting new places or planning family trips due to a lack of staff understanding or supports. The Certified Autism Destination™ program offers a solution for these travelers and a new travel segment to bring to your community.

Certified Autism Destinations™ meet the following requirements:

Dedicated to serving autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals

Majority of attractions and tourism-related organizations trained and certified in autism

Onsite audits performed for key partners

Committed to ongoing support and training
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BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION

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Increase out of region tourism revenue

Create a distinct inclusive brand for your destination

Create opportunity for funding and grants

Increase community engagement

Marc Garcia. headshot“IBCCES is a first class organization and their team has done a great job of helping us get our visitor industry partners engaged. The whole community of Mesa, including the City of Mesa and the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, has rallied around the Autism Certification program, resulting in unprecedented media coverage and community pride. Of critical importance is the fact that IBCCES helps us meaningfully convey to our stakeholders that Autism Certification is more than the right thing to do. It’s good business.”

– Marc Garcia, CEO Visit Mesa Tourism Board

Issam Kazim headshot“We want to ensure that all visitors have the best possible experience when visiting Dubai. We are proud to partner with IBCCES to provide staff training to equip Dubai’s hospitality and entrainment teams with the tools and training needed to better serve people of determination, including those who are autistic or sensory-sensitive. IBCCES is recognized all over the globe as the international standard for autism training and certification and millions of families look to them for guidance on travel questions and approved destinations. We want these families to know Dubai stands ready to welcome them with open arms. We aim to encourage all travel and entertainment facilities in Dubai to take the next step and complete the IBCCES autism certification program to help Dubai become the next Certified Autism Destination™.”

– Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce

94%

of surveyed families shared that they would take more vacations or visit more new places if they had access to autism-trained and certified options

 *recent survey conducted by IBCCES of families

7 out of 10

of consumers would choose a destination, lodging, or transportation option that is more inclusive to all travelers, even if it’s more expensive

 *Expedia Group Media Solutions research

92%

of consumers think it’s important for travel providers to meet the accessibility needs of all travelers

 *Expedia Group Media Solutions research

 

IMPACT OF CERTIFICATION

Feedback From Certified Organizations

  • Triple-digit increase in out-of-market guests

  • Millions of web hits

  • 50% increase in employee morale & confidence

  • 54% increase in group bookings

  • Huge boost in guest satisfaction

  • 32% increase in first-time guests

  • Won award for best socialinitiative

Middle Eastern mom and son at an amusement park
    TRAINING: Industry and position-specific training and certification from clinical experts as well as autistic self-advocates 

    VALIDATION: The knowledge and readiness of each staff member is validated via independent assessment

    VERIFICATION: Onsite facilities audit, if applicable, is performed to provide additional recommendations and process updates to ensure compliance and enhance accommodations

    CERTIFICATION: Certification is granted to industry leaders who have gone above and beyond to make their business or community more accessible for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.

    Autism Travel Text Only LogoOnce you become a Certified Autism Destination™, you will be featured as a certified destination on AutismTravel.com, which IBCCES developed as a credible resource to help autistic individuals and their families and friends connect with trained and certified destinations, attractions, and related options.

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    Find Out More About Becoming A Certified Autism Destination™

    Fill out the form below to connect with a Program Advisor for more information