Traverse City Boasts New Autism-Friendly Certification For Visitors
Traverse City, MI welcomes all travelers with its new, autism-friendly certification
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.
Spearheaded by Traverse City Tourism, the initiative included a wide range of businesses in the city. These include accommodations, entertainment and recreational venues, all of which worked for the certification as part of their commitment to becoming more accessible and accommodating.
In order to gain the Certified Autism Center (CAC) status, frontline staff at the venues underwent specialized training. Moreover, certain locations were also subject to an IBCCES on-site review.
Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman, also made a statement about the certification:
We’re immensely proud to recognize Traverse City as the first Certified Autism Destination in the Midwest. This achievement highlights the community’s commitment to inclusivity for visitors and will make a huge impact for millions of travelers.
We know that so many families and individuals are looking for organizations and destinations to differentiate their offerings by focusing on accessibility and inclusion, and this is a huge step toward fostering a sense of belonging and understanding that will resonate far beyond the Traverse City borders.
Which venues have gained CAC certification?
- Traverse City Tourism and Traverse City Visitor Center
- Blossom Hotel & Suites Traverse City
- COGNiTiON Science and Discovery Center
- Crystal Mountain
- Great Lakes Children’s Museum
- Great Wolf Lodge – Traverse City
- Inland Seas Education Association
- KOTI Experiences
- Lake ‘N Pines Lodge
- Michigan Legacy Art Park
- Mt. Holiday
- National Writers Series
- Rainbow Valley Family Farm
- Seaside Sailing Excursions
- TART Trail
- The Dennos Museum Center
- The Garden Theater
- The Inn at Black Star Farms
- Traverse Area District Library
- Traverse City National Writer Series
- Traverse Tall Ship Company
Traverse City offers a ‘more inclusive and supportive environment’
According to an IBCCES travel survey, around 78 percent of autistic individuals or their parents hesitate to travel and experience new places. However, with community-wide certifications like the CAD, venues aim to address this by offering a more inclusive and supportive environment that other locations might not be able to provide.
Moreover, IBCCES conducts regular on-site evaluations to ensure that the venues remain accommodating and appealing to families affected by autism. Meanwhile, according to statistics, one in 36 children is diagnosed with autism, while one in six Americans have sensory sensitivities. This makes the push for autism-friendly communities vital, especially in the tourism and entertainment sectors.
Find out more on the official website for Traverse City Tourism.