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Eight of Boomer Parks' Family Entertainment Centers (FEC) and Water Parks have achieved the Certified Autism CenterTM (CAC) designation, accredited by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This milestone sets a new standard, as Boomers Parks becomes the first family of FECs to earn this certification at every location across California, Florida, and New Jersey. To attain the CAC designation, Boomers Parks has dedicated itself to ensuring that 80% of their guest-facing staff have undergone comprehensive, evidence-based training, which includes perspectives of autistic individuals. Moreover, IBCCES conducted onsite assessments of Boomers Parks attractions, including Boomers Santa Maria, Modesto, Los Angeles, Livermore, Irvine, Boca Raton, as well as Big Kahuna's in New Jersey and Florida to provide recommendations and sensory guides, all aimed at further enhancing the overall guest experience. “Boomers Parks places a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusion within our core values. Our approach is rooted in genuine compassion for all our guests, with the goal of ensuring that everyone feels genuinely welcomed and well-accommodated,” shared Tim Murphy, CEO of Boomers Parks. Many autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals may find it challenging to visit new places or plan family trips due to a lack of staff understanding, the potential for sensory overload, and the need for flexible options or accommodations. In response to this need, IBCCES created training and certification programs specifically for attractions, theme parks, hotels, and other entertainment centers to ensure all families and individuals can have fun and make lasting memories. With 1 in 6 people having a sensory need or sensitivity and 1 in 36 children being diagnosed with autism in the US (CDC), the need for more trained entertainment and recreation options for this community and their families is at an all-time high. As Certified Autism CentersTM, Boomers Parks and Big Kahuna's Water Parks will provide: • Trained, helpful, front-line team members equipped to better assist autistic and sensory sensitive guests and help them enjoy their time at FEC as well as Big Kahuna's lifeguards, who have received position-specific training to enhance safety and communication around the water at Big Kahunas; • Sensory guides for every area that provide insight into how the game or area may be affected by each of the five senses to make it easier for individuals and families to plan activities that align with their needs and accommodations available on each location's website; • Designated low sensory areas to allow patrons with sensory sensitivities to take a break and relax in a less stimulating environment; • Additional accessibility information will be available on each FEC's website soon. Brandon, VP of Operations at Boomers Parks went on to state, “Offering sensory guides is a crucial part of our mission to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our guests. We are aware of the challenges visitors may encounter when exploring new places, and we’re firmly committed to removing those barriers, positively impacting the communities we serve.” For those who are interested in cruising with family members with autism but need a little financial assistance, here's some information on grants from Autism on the Seas. But act quickly, you must apply before 9/25/23! Find the application at https://autismontheseas.com/aotsf-vacation-financial-assistance-application. Financial Assistance (Cruise Grant)
is now available for the CRUISES LISTED BELOW YOU MUST Respond by 9/25/23 by 5:00pm EST if you are:
This Email DOES NOT confirm a Grant Award GUIDELINES for Financial Assistance: 1. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE ONLINE AVAILABILITY FORM by the Date Listed Above if you are able to go and afford the "Guest Responsible Amount" for any of the cruises listed. 2. We are ONLY able to offer Financial Assistance on the select AotS Staff Assisted Cruises listed below to a select number of families at this time. 3. Your place in order of getting Financial Assistance for the Cruises you Apply for is dependent on the date you originally registered. 4. Other cruises will be offered soon, and you will be notified via email again. 5. Financial Assistance is applied towards your cruise fare only (travel and any other expenses are not covered). 6. Within 1-2 business days from the date listed above, we will order the completed applications based on your Registration Date. 7. If and when we send you confirmation of awarding you Financial Assistance, you will then be required to make complete the Booking Form with Autism on the Seas and submit to them the "Deposit Amount" immediately, and then the remaining balance by the Final Payment date. For FAQ's CLICK HERE Other questions? Please email us at Grants@AotSF.org Please Note:
Financial Assistance can be used in conjunction with Fundraising Campaigns. RESPOND HERE (Availability Form) by 9/25/23 12/11/23 RCL Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, FL for 4 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $600 / Guest owes $838.58 3 Family Members $800/ Guest owes $1,061.37 4 Family Members $1,000 / Guest owes $1,257.16 5 Family Members $1,100 / Guest owes $2,788.74 6 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $2,975.74 7 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $2,818.53 8 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $3,114.32 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 1/13/2024 RCL Symphony of the Seas from Ft. Lauderdale, FL for 8 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $1,000 / Guest owes $2,121.40 3 Family Members $1,100/ Guest owes $3,445.10 4 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $4,106.80 5 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $6,899.50 6 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $7,028.20 7 Family Members $1,500 / Guest owes $8,351.90 8 Family Members $1,600 / Guest owes $9,013.60 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 1/15/24 RCL Liberty of the Seas from Ft. Lauderdale, FL for 4 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $1,000 / Guest owes $1,891.40 3 Family Members $1,100/ Guest owes $1,645.64 4 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $2,300.52 5 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $4,109.40 6 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $4,541.28 7 Family Members $1,500 / Guest owes $5,196.16 8 Family Members $1,600 / Guest owes $5,851.04 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 02/11/2024 RCL Harmony of the Seas from Galveston, TX for 7 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $1,000 / Guest owes $1,871.40 3 Family Members $1,250/ Guest owes $3,295.10 4 Family Members $1,500 / Guest owes $3,806.80 5 Family Members $1,625 / Guest owes $6,324.50 6 Family Members $1,750 / Guest owes $6,428.20 7 Family Members $1,875 / Guest owes $7,976.90 8 Family Members $2,000 / Guest owes $8,613.60 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 03/09/2024 RCL Adventure of the Seas from Pt Canaveral, FL for 6 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $800 / Guest owes $1,149.78 3 Family Members $1,000/ Guest owes $1,556.89 4 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $1,656.56 5 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $3,369.49 6 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $3,403.34 7 Family Members $1,500 / Guest owes $3,910.45 8 Family Members $1,600 / Guest owes $4,107.12 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 04/04/2024 RCL Vision of the Seas from Baltimore, MD for 8 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $800 / Guest owes $784.59 3 Family Members $1,000/ Guest owes $747.18 4 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $907.77 5 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $2,952.95 6 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $3,015.54 7 Family Members $1,500 / Guest owes $3,376.13 8 Family Members $1,600 / Guest owes $3,736.72 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 05/18/2024 RCL Liberty of the Seas from Bayonne, NJ for 5 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $600 / Guest owes $1,000.02 3 Family Members $800/ Guest owes $1,438.53 4 Family Members $1,000 / Guest owes $1,724.04 5 Family Members $1,100 / Guest owes $2,996.55 6 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $3,124.06 7 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $3,662.57 8 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $4,048.08 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 06/30/2024 RCL Harmony of the Seas from Galveston, TX for 5 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $1,000 / Guest owes $1,253.48 3 Family Members $1,100/ Guest owes $2,808.22 4 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $3,262.96 5 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $5,277.70 6 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $5,307.44 7 Family Members $1,500 / Guest owes $6,871.18 8 Family Members $1,600 / Guest owes $7,325.92 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 07/12/2024 RCL Navigator of the Seas from Los Angeles, CA for 7 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $1,000 / Guest owes $1,623.10 3 Family Members $1,100/ Guest owes $2,371.73 4 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $2,868.20 5 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $5,242.75 6 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $5,291.30 7 Family Members $1,500 / Guest owes $6,039.93 8 Family Members $1,600 / Guest owes $6,536.40 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available 07/13/2024 RCL Liberty of the Seas from Bayonne, NJ for 5 Nights Cruise Details Financial Assistance Amount / Guest Responsible Amount 2 Family Members $800 / Guest owes $1,263.02 3 Family Members $1,000/ Guest owes $2,146.53 4 Family Members $1,200 / Guest owes $2,542.04 5 Family Members $1,300 / Guest owes $4,277.55 6 Family Members $1,400 / Guest owes $4,405.05 7 Family Members $1,500 / Guest owes $5,388.57 8 Family Members $1,600 / Guest owes $5,884.08 Note: 5 or more Family Members 2 cabins adjacent to each other will be provided DEADLINES
* Pricing based on Least Expensive Interior Cabin Categories Currently Available Meow Wolf started in 2008 as a small collective of Santa Fe artists sharing an interest in publicly displaying their works and developing their skills together. This collaborative approach blossomed into Meow Wolf's distinctive style of immersive, maximalist environments that encourage audience-driven experiences. Mow Meow Wolf wants to be sure that all visitors, regardless of sensory issues or neurodivergence, can enjoy their work. To that end, the organization has just completed a company-wide accreditation to enhance the guest experience for autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. With locations in Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Denver, and soon Dallas, the organization has partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to complete the Certified Autism Center™ certification. The IBCCES Autism Certifications’ goals are to provide a well-rounded, multidisciplinary training program and specialized credential to supplement professionals’ existing knowledge and ensure they are up to date on best practices, research, and incorporate updated knowledge into professional practice. The process also includes a site visit by IBCCES to understand how to tailor the immersive art experience for those with sensory sensitivities. "IBCCES is honored to partner with all Meow Wolf locations to help ensure autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and their families make treasured memories and enjoy all the amazing experiences Meow Wolf art spaces have to offer," said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. "This is a huge need globally and we're proud to provide comprehensive support and certification to work with our industry partners leading the way for accessibility." Meow Wolf initiated this training and certification as part of their ongoing commitment to providing accessible experiences for all guests. Many autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals may find it challenging to visit new places or plan family trips due to a lack of staff training and understanding, the potential for sensory overload, or the need for flexible options or accommodations. With 1 in 6 people having a sensory need or sensitivity and 1 in 36 children diagnosed with autism in the United States, the demand for more trained and certified options is at an all-time high. “Meow Wolf believes that art and creativity should be accessible to all, and that's why we're so proud to be a Certified Autism Center™,” says Brian Loo, VP of Operations Development and Exhibition Engineering at Meow Wolf. He and Megan Sada, Assistant Manager of Operations Development at Meow Wolf, spearheaded the program. “By prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility, Meow Wolf creates a better experience for everyone, taking into account their individual needs and abilities. We want everyone who visits Meow Wolf to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to explore our immersive installations.” Employees at all three existing locations in Santa Fe, Las Vegas, and Denver completed the certification, with the new locations to open in Dallas and Houston joining as Certified Autism Centers™ from the start of grand opening in Summer 2023 and 2024 respectively. “True accessibility means creating a space where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can feel welcomed and valued,” says Sada. “By becoming Certified Autism Centers™, Meow Wolf is not only making a commitment to inclusivity, but also to unlocking the potential of creativity and imagination for every visitor.” In addition to the specialized training that led to the Certified Autism Center™ designation, Meow Wolf has implemented a number of measures to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience for all visitors. These include: ● Sensory Items and Bags: Provided as complementary to support visitors who may be overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the installations. Guests have access to noise reduction headphones, sunglasses, and sensory toys. ● Accessibility Consultants: Meow Wolf partners with local accessibility consultants during the design and development of new locations, ensuring that their exhibitions go above and beyond the ADA by being as accessible and inclusive as possible. ● Staff training: Meow Wolf staff have received training on how to interact with autistic visitors and those with other disabilities, and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide a welcoming and supportive environment. ● Audio Description Tour: Meow Wolf Denver designed an audio experience specifically for audience members who are blind or have low vision, allowing for a more inclusive experience of the exhibition by means of storytelling, touch exploration and play. ● Visual Description: Coming later this year, every Meow Wolf location will offer a visual description of key spaces for blind and low vision guests If you are planning an upcoming trip to Baltimore with your railroad-loving neurodivergent child, be sure to stop by the B&O Railraod Museum at 901 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223 and check out their events throughout the year. Autism Double-Checked, based in Stamford, CT, is making significant strides in the certification of suppliers catering to neurodivergent travelers, a fast-growing industry niche. The CDC recently announced that one out of every thirty-six children fall on the autism spectrum, up from one out of forty-four. It was therefore extremely timely for four travel suppliers who work closely with spectrum travelers to join with Autism Double-Checked co-founders, David Tait and Alan Day, on a webinar recently sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). The suppliers included Sarah Brown, Corporate Director of People for Virgin Hotels, Ben Kaufman, Director of Marketing and Communications of JSX, Lyn Santos of Karisma Hotels and Resorts, and Angela Vargo, vice president marketing communications and product experience for Breeze Airways.
Autism Double Checked is the brainchild of Tait and Day, two industry execs with children on the autism spectrum, who seven years ago lamented travel suppliers’ lack of awareness and effort to accommodate the special needs of neurodivergent travelers. Said Tait, “We came up with what we branded as Autism Double-Checked…where we prepare autistic travelers for what to expect from airports, airlines. hotels, whatever, and then we prepare the airports, airlines, etc. for what to expect and what they have to do to facilitate travel for those with special needs. It's kind of sad, actually that that this is one of the fastest growing travel segments out there and yet at the same time, it's largely gone by the wayside in terms of the travel industry. When you add in the siblings and parents…there's a market in the US alone of tens of millions of people.” Tait added that for suppliers, this niche is especially attractive because families with neurodivergent members prefer to travel at quieter times of the year and quieter days of the week to avoid crowds. Plus, the repeat factor is off the charts. “’It’s a market that when it finds a place where they're comfortable, they have an amazing propensity to return.’’ Autism Double-Checked is one of the newer certification entrants in a field dominated by IBCCES, The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Services, which has been certifying travel suppliers as Certified Autism Centers since 2001, and travel advisors as Certified Autism Travel Advisors since 2017. Other certifying organizations include Champion Autism Network, KultureCity, Sensory City, and even Autism Speaks will be entering the arena in terms of travel suppliers in the upcoming year. When asked how their online certification training compares to that offered by IBCCES, Day and Tait declined to draw direct comparisons, but explained that their training contains over twenty modules and is available in English, Spanish, and a few in Portuguese. They characterized their costs as inexpensive, with the training for the average hotel staff running under $1,000, and travel agent training costing $40. But they did not explain how those prices compared to certifications offered by other entities, or why their training might be preferable. Day said that it came down to personal preferences. “They [IBCCES] come from a health care and education perspective, we come from a travel perspective,” he explained. And where IBCCES is certifying entire cities like Mesa, AZ and Visalia, CA, Day said that Autism Double-Checked is still exploring how they could effectively approach that challenge. Because of the chaotic nature of airports, Autism Double-Checked will be running a child-boarding event similar to those offered by the Arc’s Wings for Autism program at the Hartford International Bradley Airport on May 16th. It will be held in conjunction with Autism Speaks. Explained Tait, “Families with an autistic child can register on a first-come basis to come to the airport and go through an entire flight, from check-in through security, through TSA, to the flight gate. They’ll find their pre-assigned seat on the plane, strap themselves in, listen to the captain’s announcements, experience meal cart service, and then go through the landing process without ever having left the ground.” Such an experience creates familiarity with the process that may help the child manage the actual flight better when the time comes. During the webinar, the execs from Virgin Hotels, Karisma Resorts, and Breeze Airways each detailed their dedication to diversity, accessibility and facilitating spectrum travel but it was Ben Kaufman of JSX, who offered a product that many parents traveling with children on the spectrum may not have considered. JSX is a hop-on jet service that calls itself “faster on the ground and more comfortable in the air. As a unique public charter operator, we offer the perks of private air travel, booked by-the-seat, at attainable fares,” and that “flying JSX allows you to travel in style between private terminals on roomy 30-seat jets.” Kaufman pointed out that customers using private terminals bypass the chaos and security lines of typical airport visits, and that guests need only check in twenty minutes before their flight, avoiding meltdown-inspiring waits. In addition, JSX can bring their dogs and cats on board, “It’s a very all-inclusive experience,” and for children on the spectrum, such as the company’s CEO and co-founder, Alex Wilcox, it’s a great solution, he said. “All of our customer-facing crew members receive the Autism Double-Checked training,” he explained. “They learn how to interact with [special needs] customers. what to provide. And we also do our best to provide spaces that are more inclusive. If a customer with neurodivergent needs or their family needs a place to go to try to prevent sensory overload, like a darker room, we will make sure that we have a room available, even if it's a staff member's office. “We run boarding events at airports all over the country, similar to what’s going on in Hartford,” Kaufman continued. “They are, of course, 100% no charge to the families attending because the goal really is to make them comfortable. As we look to dementia, we continue to learn and try to understand the needs. One of our customers wrote in and said, ‘Hey, it's great to have a quiet room. It's great to have the earplugs. Do you think that you could think about the snacks because different textures might be really helpful for different people.’ And we had never thought about that. So, we changed our snacks on the airplane now it's making sure that at all times. we have salty, sweet, crunchy, and gummy options. There’s something for everybody.” Kaufman explained that now, with the ability to take smaller flights in a hassle-free way, children on the spectrum can finally meet distant family members or have access to certain types of specialized therapies. “We're 100% in this we're in this for the long haul. It's the right, just, and humane thing to do and of course we owe a great deal of gratitude to Alan and Autism Double-Checked.” Saxony Tourism will be presenting its accessible offers at the Ability Expo New York Metro (Booth 534) at the New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison, NJ from May 5 to 7.
The German state, located in the eastern part of Germany boarding Poland and the Czech Republic, is Germany’s top cultural destination. What many people don’t realize is that Saxony is also one of the leading German federal states in terms of its commitment to accessible and has a wealth of accessible tourist offers for people with disabilities – both for cultural and city travelers as well as for active holidaymakers in the Saxon regions. In addition to content for travelers with reduced mobility, there are special offers for travelers with sensory disabilities and for people with learning and mental disabilities, such as induction loops for the hearing impaired, inscriptions in Braille, special tours for the blind, or visitors with other impairments. The Tourism Board of Saxony (TMGS) verifies all of the offers on their website in terms of accessibility and accuracy. Along with the website, Visit Saxony distributes free, high-quality brochures in different languages free of charge, and has regional accessible travel videos posted on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGSm7yvqmPQ). See https://visitsaxony.com/ for more information. CHAMPION AUTISM NETWORK AND THE GRAND STRAND SUPPORT AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH Heading to South Carolina? The team at the Champion Autism Network (CAN) has put together a month-long campaign called, “You’re Invited!” The campaign includes events, promotions at partner businesses and a special series of autism awareness content, stories, and spotlights via email and social media. “We are honored and blessed to serve locals and tourists living with autism and the ongoing support of the business community and grateful for them sharing and spreading autism awareness and acceptance,” Becky Large, Champion Autism Network Executive Director. Mark your calendar to attend these great events around the Grand Strand area: April 1: Sensory-Friendly Easter Egg Hunt at Passive Park, Surfside Beach Sensory-Friendly Visit to Surfside Beach Firehouse at the Surfside Beach Fire Department Coastal Carolina University Autism Walk on CCU campus Surfside Beach launches “Light Up for Autism Awareness” on Surfside Drive throughout April April 2: World Autism Awareness Day! World Autism Awareness Day Celebration and CAN Birthday Party Fundraiser at Dagwood’s in Surfside Beach SkyWheel Myrtle Beach begins “Light Up for CAN” Sundays throughout April April 8: Sensory-Friendly Movie - Super Mario Bros. at Grand 14 Movie Theater April 15: Sensory-Friendly Visit to Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach April 16: Sensory-Friendly Jump at Big Air Myrtle Beach Sensory Friendly Birthday Bowling Bash at Myrtle Beach Bowl AND stay tuned for details on a Meet-&-Greet with the World’s Strongest Man 2-time winner and High Functioning Autistic, Tom Stoltman!! See all events at https://championautismnetwork.com/ (This story first appeared in Insider Travel Report on 12/23/2022)
Inclusion is the name of the travel game today—and both Visalia, Calif., and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates are taking steps to welcome more visitors with invisible disabilities. Through an initiative started by Visit Visalia, in partnership with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Visalia is now the first city to achieve the Certified Autism Destination (CAD) designation. The designation is granted by IBCCES to communities where multiple attractions, lodging, and entertainment options have completed a training and certification process to ensure autistic or sensory-sensitive visitors have a positive experience. Becoming a CAD will help Visit Visalia in its mission to encourage travelers to choose Visalia as a destination and differentiate it from other options in the area. This designation differs from that of Autism Certified City (ACC), which distinguishes Mesa, Ariz. According to IBCCES President Meredith Tekin, an Autism Certified City is a community wide initiative that benefits residents and visitors alike, requiring trained and certified partners in public safety, education, travel/recreation, health care and workforce inclusion. Mesa was the very first ACC. The CAD (which Visalia now holds) is similar but is focused only on travel/hospitality and recreational aspects aimed at welcoming visitors to the destination. The need for autism friendly destinations has never been greater. Currently, one in six people deal with a sensory need or sensitivity, and one in forty-four children are diagnosed with autism in the US, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. In addition, more than 32 million travelers of varying abilities, including those with autism, travel yearly and are seeing locations where they can feel welcomed and understood. Research released earlier this year by Expedia Group Media Solutions shows seven out of 10 consumers would choose a destination, lodging, or transportation option that is more inclusive to all types of travelers even if it’s more expensive. In the same survey, 92 percent of consumers think it’s important for travel providers to meet accessibility needs of all travelers. Currently, organizations in Visalia that have completed autism training and certification from IBCCES include Visalia Adventure Park, Farmer Bob’s World, Imagine U Interactive Children’s Museum, Wyndham Visalia, Tulare County Museum, Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center. Valley Oak Golf Course, Hampton Inn Visalia, Downtown Visalians, Comfort Inn Visalia, Lamp Liter Inn, Best Western Visalia, Arts Visalia Gallery, and Visalia Fox Theater, with more locations joining the ongoing initiative and becoming certified moving forward. A number of international destinations also are working to become more accessible to those travelers with autism. Dubai, for example, is taking steps to enhance its accessibility and inclusion for travelers from all over the world. The Dubai Economy and Tourism Department (DET) is spearheading this movement with IBCCES to designate the first-ever Certified Autism Designation outside the United States. The first phase of this initiative means that all Dubai attractions, hospitality and entertainment organizations will have access to specialized autism-specific training designed to enhance staff knowledge, understanding and strategies for communication, guest experience and safety to better serve and accommodate those with invisible disabilities. For more information on Certified Autism Designation destinations, visit www.ibcces.org. In Part I, I described various airport resources helpful for family members on the autism spectrum. Included was a description of Presley’s Place at the Pittsburgh International Airport, a sensory room that also accesses a realistic airplane cabin experience using an airline cabin and seating donated by Airlines and Magee Plastics. The room, which can be entered from a door separate from the sensory room, has a dual purpose: to orient potentially nervous novice travelers with a plane’s interior during first-time flyer classes.
Other Airports Offering Trial Runs Pittsburgh isn’t the only airport with this kind of facility. The Navigating MSP Airport program, offered at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, offers free practice runs through the airport. This partnership, between the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Fraser, and the Autism Society of Minnesota, allows anxious travelers—including those with invisible disabilities—to experience TSA security screening procedures, explore the terminal, board a plane, meet a pilot, prepare for takeoff. The monthly programs are also designed for travelers with physical disabilities, those with a fear of flying, and even service dogs, takes advantage of the Travel Confidently MSP Education Center, a mock, 33-foot-long, faux aircraft cabin previously used by Delta Air Lines for cabin crew training. Located in Terminal 1 near Gate C16, the cabin has forty-two seats and essential onboard features like overhead bins and seatbelts for an authentic dress rehearsal. In addition, Navigating MSP Airport offers a social story you can download called, “I’m Going to the Airport!." In 2023, Kansas City International Airport will open its new terminal featuring an “airplane simulator” space where travelers can rehearse every aspect of the airport experience from TSA screening to takeoff. It’s meant to help many types of travelers, from those on the spectrum to travelers with dementia, vision or hearing impairments, and claustrophobia. The simulator room will have a staged boarding gate and door, jet bridge, and a replica of a plane outfitted with airline seats, overhead bins, and crew announcements. In addition to the airplane simulator, the new terminal will also offer a sensory room and a play area that’s accessible for children with physical disabilities. This is in addition to innovations to help accessibility for all passengers, including visual paging boards to help deaf visitors see flight information, adult changing tables in restrooms, triple the number of post-security restrooms to give greater access for travelers requiring wheelchair-accessible stalls, and service desks at ADA accessible height. What is the Sunflower Lanyard Program? Turkish Airlines is the latest airline to improve the travel experience of passengers with disabilities and limited mobility with the Sunflower Lanyard project. Within the scope of the “Differences Add Value” program, the flag carrier’s service personnel and cabin crew will now be able to recognize passengers with invisible disabilities such as autism, dementia, anxiety disorder, vision, or hearing disorders when they wear the Sunflower Lanyards available at the assisted counters at the domestic and international terminals of Istanbul Airport, and in the words of Hidden Disabilities CEO Paul White, “greet them with kindness, patience and understanding.” The Sunflower Lanyard Program for Hidden Disabilities Awareness was created in 2016 at Gatwick Airport in the UK. According to the HiddenDisabilitiesStore.com, It has since spread to over 130 airports (around thirty-eight in the US and Canada) as well as over 450 universities, schools and colleges, all of the UK railway network, theme parks, supermarkets, leisure facilities, healthcare, financial services, emergency services, theatres and over 350 charities. It is meant as a discreet way to alert trained staff members that a passenger or patron has an invisible disability and may need additional time, additional assistance, or may be exempt from wearing a mask where and when applicable. Lanyards are available free of charge from businesses and organizations who are members of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. For those unable to travel to collect the lanyard or would prefer to have one delivered, they can be ordered for a minimal charge. Search for venues that recognize the lanyard here. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Limited warns that The Sourcing Group is their sole agent in North America that are licensed to sell their products and that purchasers should avoid buying counterfeit programs being sold on eBay or Amazon. A Nervous Flyer’s Best Friend Anyone with an emotional support dog understands the bond that can develop between canines and those with invisible disabilities. Dogs offer the unconditional, judgement-free acceptance that interpersonal interactions often lack. Research has shown that simply petting a dog can help reduce anxiety arising from stressful situations, such as flying. That’s one reason, following the 9/11 terror attacks and the ensuing traveler anxiety, therapy dogs and their handlers started making an appearance at a growing number of airports around the US, starting with San Jose International. Vane Research reports that before the pandemic, 87 airports reportedly offered this service but that number has fallen to 37 airports as a casualty of COVID. You can normally identify working therapy dogs by their brightly colored vests. According to Amy Brockel, the Executive Director of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), you can rest assured that the dog will play nice with your child because “all ATD handlers are asked to complete a background check prior to joining. They are also required to go through a handling test and three observations with our Tester/Observers to be sure they have control of their dog. We want to ensure the dog and handler have good manners and enjoy this type of volunteer work. Airport visits do require a dog that is confident and comfortable in a variety of situations as airports can be busier than say a library or nursing home type visit.” Airports are also cautious about which dogs are allowed into their facilities. Says Brockel: “Many airports have an application process for teams that want to volunteer, and they must go through the facility screening process before they start volunteering there. Airports set up therapy dog programs so they can onboard their teams to get them lined out on access to the airport, clearance needed to enter the terminal and other important rules and point of contact that need outlined before they volunteer their time at the facility.” There’s no cost to interact with the therapy dogs (and other therapy animals, such as cats and pigs, where offered), but the volunteer organizations do accept donations. To learn more, including how to find out the best place for your clients to connect with therapy dogs, contact the programs and/or airports that as of 2021, were offering this service.
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AuthorDawn M. Barclay grew up in the travel industry and has been an editor or contributing editor for such publications as Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Life, Travel Market Report, and InsiderTravelReport.com. She also writes fiction as D.M. Barr. Archives
September 2023
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