AUTISM TRAVEL
ALONG WITH THE COOPERATION OF LOCAL PARTNERS, TOLEDO IS LEADING THE WAY ON INCLUSIVE TRAVEL.
Individuals with autism and their families want to travel and make memories; they also represent a large, growing segment of the travel market, spending more than $262 billion on autism-related services each year in the U.S. These travelers are searching for places and attractions that have their well-being in mind.
Destination Toledo is helping pave the way for Toledo, Ohio to one day become a Certified Autism Destination. We aim to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience as visitors on the autism spectrum and their families discover Toledo. As we continue this process, please check back to find out more about Certified Autism Centers in Toledo, sensory-friendly activities, special events, and more!
Destination Toledo’s efforts within travel and tourism work in tandem with a community-wide goal for Toledo to become the most disability-friendly city in the country. There are many initiatives led by The Ability Center of Greater Toledo with support from participating organizations throughout the area to achieve this goal. Learn more about The Ability Center and how Toledo is thinking differently at abilitycenter.org.
Destination Toledo is now a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC)
This designation is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). To achieve this designation, the Destination Toledo staff completed autism training to better understand and welcome visitors with autism, and their families — a large, growing segment of the travel market.
Becoming a Certified Autism Destination
Our organization’s certification represents the first step in a broader initiative to make Toledo a Certified Autism Destination (CAD). Becoming a Certified Autism Destination gives Toledo a competitive advantage and can help increase business for participating partners. It all starts with businesses like yours becoming CACs.
Below is a list of local organizations who have completed their Certified Autism Training and are now Certified Autism Centers:
Destination Toledo, Avenues for Autism, National Museum of the Great Lakes, Toledo Museum of Art, Valentine Theatre, Wingate by Wyndham Sylvania, Toledo Santa LLC, Sylvania Chamber of Commerce, Huntington Center, Glass City Center, Toledo Express Airport, TARPS, City of Sylvania, Franklin Park Mall
Become a Certified Autism Center
Becoming a CAD starts with organizations like yours — hotels, restaurants, and attractions — becoming Certified Autism Centers. You’ll receive position-specific online training courses for your staff, most of which only take 30 minutes to complete. This training helps staff understand how to communicate with visitors with autism and sensory needs, empowering them to provide a great experience. Once 80% of guest-facing staff are trained, you become a CAC and featured on AutismTravel.com.
Benefits include:
-Recognition in the travel industry for your commitment to becoming more inclusive and supportive of individuals with autism and sensory needs.
-Your business’ listing on the International Online Registry of Certified Autism Centers and AutismTravel.com. IBCCES also provides ongoing support related to messaging, additional resources, and learning opportunities.
-Opportunity for your team members to grow and learn, giving them the confidence and ability to recognize, accept, and assist individuals on the autism spectrum. This not only benefits your business but also benefits the entire community.
What is a Certified Autism Destination (CAD)
A CAD designation means a destination offers visitors multiple autism-trained and -certified options to choose from, including entertainment, recreation, and hotels. Visit GPS is working with IBCCES to involve key tourism, hospitality, and recreation organizations in the community to achieve this goal. Together, we can work towards creating a more accessible, inclusive, and knowledgeable destination.
Why is becoming a CAD important?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism, and 1 in 6 people have sensory needs or sensitivities. Travelers with autism take millions of trips every year, but there are few destinations that have taken the extra step cohesively to better understand and enhance accommodations and experiences for these visitors. Serving the growing yet still under-served community of neurodivergent travelers is more than good business practice — it’s the right thing to do.
To begin the process of becoming a Certified Autism Center contact Caleigh Heuring at [email protected]
