Certification is part of County-Wide Initiative
The City of St. Augustine Visitor Information Center (VIC) received autism training from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and is now registered as Certified Autism Center™ (CAC). This credential is awarded to organizations that show their ongoing dedication to creating an environment that welcomes, supports, and accommodates all visitors. To earn the designation, staff undergo a comprehensive training and certification program to ensure they are equipped with the best practices and resources to assist every person, including autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors.
Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline proudly commented, “It is so important for the city to join this effort being brought forward by our Chamber of Commerce, to demonstrate our commitment to being an inclusive city, recognizing the diverse needs of all our visitors.”
By completing the CAC program, the VIC is part of the greater St. Johns County movement to achieve the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) designation, which IBCCES also awards to communities with a multitude of trained and certified lodging, entertainment options and service organizations. The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, the St Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau, along with many other organizations, attractions and hotels in the area also have completed the certification program.
Congratulations to the City of St. Augustine Visitor Information Center team for completing the training and going a step further in caring for our guests on the autism spectrum. Thank you to the City for joining leaders in the community in advancing this initiative to become a certified destination,” stated Isabelle Renault, president of St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce.
“We are proud of the City of St. Augustine Visitor Information Center for putting in the effort to become a Certified Autism Center™, as they recognize the importance of having inclusive and accessible options for every person that visits the city,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “To add to the achievement, this designation brings St. Johns County a step closer to becoming a Certified Autism Destination™ and increasing accessibility throughout the entire county.”
IBCCES has been the leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for healthcare, education, and corporate professionals around the globe for more than 20 years. IBCCES is the only global credentialing board providing travel and entertainment organizations with training and certification from subject-matter experts and autistic self-advocates, and other resources, as well as long-term support that helps them understand how to better accommodate and assist autistic or sensory-sensitive visitors and their families.
IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for families that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other. Each destination listed on the site has met the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.
About City of St. Augustine Visitor Information Center
For half a century, visitors to St. Augustine have made the St. Augustine and St. Johns County Visitor Information Center their first stop upon arriving in the Nation’s Oldest City. Commonly known as the “VIC,” the center offers: brochures and guidebooks for the area’s attractions, clean restrooms, a gift shop, and information on special and cultural events.
Ample parking is available right next door at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, located at 1 Cordova St.
About IBCCES
Committed to providing The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.
Learn More About Becoming A Certified Autism Center™
Fill out the form below to learn more about our CAC Program, which includes staff certifications, training options and center certification.
IBCCES Accessibility Card Now Available as a Mobile App