A Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) is a location with tourism, hospitality, and entertainment organizations that have completed specialized autism and sensory support training through IBCCES to ensure autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors feel welcomed, safe, and can truly enjoy their experience. These Certified Autism Centers™ (CACs) understand that for autistic travelers and their families, finding destinations that understand their unique needs can transform what might otherwise be a stressful trip into a positive, memorable experience. CACs have trained their staff to provide appropriate support and accommodations, moving beyond being merely autism-friendly to true inclusion by addressing the common challenges that many autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families face when visiting new places or planning family trips due to a lack of staff understanding or support. The Certified Autism Destination™ designation allows you and your family to travel with confidence knowing that the destination has committed to autism accessibility and inclusion.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
As the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Middle East, Dubai has set a global benchmark for accessibility, inclusion, and sensory-friendly tourism. By integrating the needs of autistic individuals and those with sensory sensitivities, Dubai ensures that every visitor feels welcomed, valued, and supported throughout their experience.
From hotels to attractions, the city has enhanced its preparedness by training and equipping its workforce and facilities to support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. These efforts ensure that the tourism experience is more accessible and welcoming, with dedicated sensory-friendly spaces and personalized services tailored to meet the needs of all autistic visitors.
“We want to ensure that all visitors have the best possible experience when visiting Dubai. We are proud to partner with IBCCES to provide staff training to equip Dubai’s hospitality and entertainment teams with the tools and training needed to better serve people of determination, including those who are autistic or sensory-sensitive. IBCCES is recognized all over the globe as the international standard for autism training and certification, and millions of families look to them for guidance on travel questions and approved destinations. We want these families to know Dubai stands ready to welcome them with open arms.”
-Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce
Greater Palm Springs, California, USA
Greater Palm Springs, which has been known as a Hollywood hot spot since the early 1920s, is an easy getaway from Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, as well as more than 500 connecting cities to Palm Springs International Airport. With mountains you can almost reach out and touch, natural hot mineral springs, lush palm groves, over 100 golf courses, and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, the destination presents a unique combination of escape, adventure, recreation, and relaxation.
Being a Certified Autism Destination™ means families and individuals with autism can visit our region with confidence, knowing that our attractions, hotels, and businesses have undergone training to provide a welcoming and supportive experience. We are proud to be a leader in making travel more accessible and ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beauty, relaxation, and adventure that Greater Palm Springs has to offer.
-Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs
High Point, North Carolina, USA
High Point becomes the first Certified Autism Destination™ on the East Coast. Many local organizations have made the commitment to become Certified Autism Centers™ (CAC) to make High Point a more inclusive destination to live, work, and play. This initiative was spearheaded by Visit High Point, which worked to onboard a variety of hospitality partners and businesses over the course of two years. The CAD certification process involved extensive staff training for partner organizations in the city, including attractions, restaurants, hotels, and recreation facilities. This training has equipped the city with the necessary tools to better understand and respond to the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.
We are proud to be at the forefront of inclusive tourism and to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all of our visitors. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to travel and explore new places, and this certification will help us achieve that goal.
-Nancy Bowman, Visit High Point VP of Branding
Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Traverse City, the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Midwest, is leading the way in accessible travel and entertainment. This designation was championed by Traverse City Tourism, an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the region as a top leisure and business destination. By driving tourism, Traverse City Tourism strengthens the local economy and supports a thriving entrepreneurial community. The process of becoming a CAD requires a representative sampling of lodging, recreation, and entertainment options to complete certification to be more accessible and accommodating to autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families. Each participating organization must earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation, which requires public-facing staff to complete specialized training, as well as some locations to undergo an on-site review by IBCCES.
The goal is to create a welcoming environment for all residents and visitors, regardless of their unique needs, and to make the travel experience friendlier for families. Sometimes it’s as simple as having knowledgeable employees, creating a quiet space, or providing accurate information about what a certain experience is like and how to navigate it easily before the visitors arrive.
-Whitney Waara, Chief Operating Officer of Traverse City Tourism
Visalia, California, USA
As the first Certified Autism Destination™, Visalia continues its long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Visalia – an easy drive from all of California’s major population and business centers – lies in the heart of the Central Valley, at the base of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Our welcoming community hosts visitors from across the United States and from many nations worldwide – all eager to explore the unrivaled beauty of the National Parks and find adventure in the great outdoors. The city is more than a basecamp for national park travelers. With a vibrant downtown, unique foodie restaurants, craft breweries, farmers’ markets, boutique shopping, and a thriving, eclectic art scene, Visalia is a destination all its own. It’s a hub for family travel, with expansive youth sports facilities and children’s venues, and attractions. And its walkable downtown and access to hotel rooms and meeting space make it a popular convention destination, as well.
Visit Visalia and its tourism partners throughout the city are more than just autism-friendly; they are autism-certified. This allows Visalia to provide memorable experiences to our visitors with autism with the help of well- trained staff, able to anticipate their needs.
–John Oneto, Board Chair of Visit Visalia
