Kind Hospitality has earned the Certified Autism Center™(CAC) designation, which means staff at all of the locations managed by Kind Hospitality have been trained to understand and serve autistic customers better.
The designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), means that Kind Hospitality is now part of the movement (initiated by Visit Mesa) that made Mesa the first Autism Certified City.
Kind Hospitality brands include Panera Bread, Macayo’s Mexican Food, O.H.S.O. Brewery, Copper Plate, an American Grill, and Barrio Brewery. Kind Hospitality has trained and certified staff at all of their locations, which include: Panera Bread at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport; Macayo’s Mexican Food; O.H.S.O. Brewery; Copper Plate, an American Grill; and Barrio Brewery. A full list of the participating locations is below:
“Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ is a certification that we are truly honored to participate in. Our teams will be able to better serve our autistic guests and their families through the training and education we will receive in this program. We will embrace the program at all levels, and we look forward to the knowledge that is to come,” said Nava Singam, Kind Hospitality CEO.
For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been the leader in autism and cognitive disorder certification for healthcare, education, and corporate professionals worldwide. IBCCES recognized that many autistic individuals and families with autistic children had limited options available where they felt welcomed and understood. In response to this need, IBCCES created training and certification programs specifically for the hospitality, recreation and travel industry. The phrase “autism friendly” means something different to everyone, and more parents and individuals are seeking out organizations that have completed a formal certification from an accredited credentialing source with long-term goals and support. IBCCES is the only credentialing organization providing this type of training and certification, which includes evidence-based training as well as the perspectives of autistic individuals, alongside other tools and resources such as onsite reviews, customized recommendations, and long-term support and guidance to ensure the program is a long-term commitment and has a lasting impact.
“We’re thrilled that Nava and his team have enthusiastically rolled out this program at all locations and we look forward to working with them as they continue this journey,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. “Training and certification with an established partner are critical to the success and adoption of inclusion and accessibility programs – we’re excited to continue working in the Mesa community.”
IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for families and individuals looking for travel and recreation options that lists certified destinations and travel professionals. Each destination listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.
Kind Hospitality participating locations (training has been completed):
- Macayo’s Mexican Food
- Ahwatukee: 12637 S. 48th St., Phoenix, AZ 85044
- ASU Tempe: 650 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, AZ 85281
- Glendale: 6012 W. Bell Rd., Glendale, AZ 85308
- Goodyear: 1474 N. Litchfield Rd. Goodyear, AZ 85395
- Mesa: 1920 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202
- Superstition Springs: 6538 E. Superstition Springs Blvd., Mesa, AZ 85206
- Surprise: 15565 W. Bell Rd., Surprise, AZ 85374
- Panera Bread
- Sky Harbor Airport: 3800 E. Sky Harbor Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034
- Sky Harbor Airport: 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034
- Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport: 6033 S. Sossaman Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212
- Corner, Tucson: 4362 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ 85705
- Grant, Tucson: 4821 E. Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ 85712
- Broadway, Tucson: 6129 E. Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85711
- Oro Valley, Tucson: 10604 N. Oracle Rd., Oro Valley, AZ 85737
- U Of A, Tucson: 845 N. Park Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719
- Copper Plate, An American Grill
- Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport: 6033 S. Sossaman Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212
- Ohso Brewery
- Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport: 6033 S. Sossaman Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212
- Sky Harbor Airport: 3800 E. Sky Harbor Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034
- Barrio Brewing
- Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport: 5803 S. Sossaman Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212