Hiring, retention, diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies are keeping business owners, executives, and HR leaders up at night. At the foundation of these challenges are people who are both current employees and those who are unemployed and still looking for work. For this reason, neurodiversity is gaining greater awareness, and there are many reasons to pay attention and engage.
In a continuing effort to be more inclusive and welcoming to all, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau is now a Certified Autism Centerâ„¢.
The Springfield CVB is the first destination marketing organization in the state to earn this designation and one of five certified CVBs nationwide. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards awards the certification to organizations where staff complete training to understand better, assist and welcome autistic and sensory-sensitivity people.
By Alex Stratikis, Autistic Traveler & Founder of Autism Adventures Aboard
Instagram: @autismadventuresabroad
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, (NYSE:SIX) the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of water parks in North America is now the world’s first theme park company to revolutionize and design a specialized restraint harness that allows access to ALL Six Flags Thrill Rides for guests with physical disabilities.
Wyndham Visalia is now a Certified Autism Centerâ„¢ (CAC), a designation awarded 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. Wyndham Visalia is the most recent organization to join Visit Visalia’s movement to achieve the designation of Certified Autism Destination (CAD), meaning that visitors can choose from a variety of trained and certified lodging, recreation, and entertainment options in the city of Visalia.
Arts Visalia Gallery is now a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), a designation awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). By completing autism-specific training through IBCCES, the Gallery joins Visit Visalia’s initiative to achieve the Certified Autism Destination (CAD) designation which means that visitors will have a variety of trained and certified entertainment and lodging options in the area.
The Trenton Fire and Emergency Services has earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to enhance first responders’ knowledge and ability to assist autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals during times of emergency. The IBCCES’ program provides firefighters and first responders with scenario-based training to better understand and approach individuals who may be autistic and communicate effectively with individuals who might need assistance.
Sharifa Yateem MSc, BCBA, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a leading global provider of training and certification on autism and cognitive disorders, appointed Sharifa Yateem to its executive advisory board. Sharifa Yateem is the founder of Sharifa Yateem Center for Rehabilitation and Sharifa Yateem Consulting in Abu Dhabi. She has extensive experience working with different age ranges of autistic individuals and training special educators, therapists, caregivers, families, and other personnel in all aspects of assisting the autistic community.
