America's First Autism Certified City

Pioneering Inclusion in the United States

In 2019, Mesa, Arizona, made history by becoming the first city in the United States to achieve Autism Certification, heralding a new era of community support, accessibility, and inclusivity for neurodiverse populations. This landmark recognition reflects Mesa’s proactive approach to transforming its public spaces, services, and community engagement practices to be more welcoming for individuals with autism. As a trailblazer in this movement, Mesa's journey offers valuable insights into what it takes for a city to truly embrace neurodiversity and serve as a model for others nationwide.

Understanding the Significance of Autism Certification for a City

What does it mean for a city to be recognized as 'America's First Autism Certified City'? The designation reflects a city’s strong commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, especially for individuals on the autism spectrum. Mesa, Arizona, earned this recognition in 2019 through certification by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This achievement is not merely symbolic; it involves widespread training and certification across numerous community sectors, assuring that staff and organizations are equipped to provide supportive, understanding environments.

The certification process in Mesa required at least 80% of guest-facing staff in participating businesses to undergo autism awareness and support training. Over 60 businesses and organizations, including hotels, museums, parks, and emergency services, committed to this goal. These efforts resulted in a city where neurodiverse visitors and residents can find sensory-friendly experiences, trained personnel, and resources like sensory guides and visual interpretation services.

The recognition underscores Mesa’s leadership in promoting community awareness and support for neurodiverse populations. It helps boost the city’s reputation as a welcoming destination, attracting more tourism and encouraging local business growth. Additionally, Mesa’s initiatives, such as providing sunflower-themed lanyards for easier identification of needs and adopting the Sunflower program, set a benchmark for inclusivity in urban environments.

Overall, being an Autism Certified City signals a proactive and caring community that values diversity and strives to improve the quality of life for all its members. It encourages other cities to follow Mesa’s lead in fostering safe, supportive, and accessible living and visiting environments for neurodiverse populations.

The Structure and Criteria Behind Autism Certification

What is an autism certified city?

An autism certified city, known as an Autism Certified City (ACC), is a municipality that has completed a rigorous certification process designed to make the city more accessible and welcoming for individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities. This certification guarantees that public spaces, services, and local businesses are equipped with trained staff and autism-friendly amenities.

Certification process

The process to become Autism Certified involves comprehensive training for a wide range of community members and staff. In Mesa, Arizona, for example, over 60 businesses and organizations have completed this training. These include museums, parks, police, fire departments, and non-profits. The city’s initiative, led by Visit Mesa with support from IBCCES, also incorporates assessments to ensure standards are met.

This process usually starts with citywide education and extends to specific industry audits. For Mesa, this involved training more than 5,000 individuals and certifying their ability to support neurodiverse populations. The city also adopted special programs, such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, to help visitors signal their needs discreetly.

Standards and training requirements

A core element of the certification is that at least 80% of guest-facing staff in participating businesses receive autism awareness and support training. This training covers sensory sensitivities, communication strategies, and support practices.

Moreover, public safety personnel, including police and fire crews, undergo neuro-inclusive training, which enhances their ability to assist individuals with autism during emergencies. Some facilities offer sensory guides and sensory-friendly events as part of their commitment to inclusivity.

Role of organizations like IBCCES

IBCCES plays a vital role in providing the certification standards and training programs. It has been involved in autism training and certification efforts worldwide for nearly 20 years. In Mesa, IBCCES partnered with local tourism agencies to ensure widespread compliance with autism-friendly practices.

Their accreditation process includes evaluating staff competence, sensory accommodations, and community engagement. This partnership not only helps cities achieve certification but also promotes ongoing quality improvement.

Overview of steps to becoming autism certified

Mesa’s journey serves as a model for other cities aiming to improve accessibility. Its designation as the first Autism Certified City in the U.S. reflects a citywide commitment to inclusivity, driven by extensive training, standards compliance, and partnerships with experts like IBCCES.

Initiatives, Programs, and Resources in Mesa

What initiatives and resources are available in an autism-certified city for individuals with autism and their families?

Mesa, Arizona, stands out as the nation's first Autism Certified City, offering a comprehensive array of programs and resources tailored to support people with autism and their loved ones.

One of the city's cornerstone initiatives is its certification of numerous businesses and organizations, with over 60 trained and certified to meet autism-friendly standards. These Certified Autism Centers (CAC) ensure staff are equipped with autism awareness training, fostering a welcoming environment.

Visit Mesa, the city’s tourism bureau, collaborates with organizations like IBCCES to drive these efforts. They have successfully implemented sensory guides and autism-friendly itineraries across local attractions, parks, museums, and community spaces.

To further enhance accessibility and comfort, Mesa adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program in 2021. Visitors can wear sunflower-themed lanyards or bracelets, signaling their need for extra assistance or consideration.

Mesa also partners with Aira, a service providing on-demand visual interpretation for visitors who are blind or have low vision. This makes navigating public spaces easier for individuals with sensory or mobility challenges.

Beyond individual programs, community engagement is fundamental. Mesa’s public agencies, including police and fire departments, have received neuro-inclusive training, ensuring the entire city is committed to inclusivity. Moreover, many community events are designed to be sensory-friendly, with 'sensory gentle' offerings for residents and visitors.

The city’s efforts extend to broader support services, such as housing initiatives, advocacy campaigns, and access to healthcare resources, aiming to create a truly supportive environment for the autism community.

In summary, Mesa offers a blend of sensory supports, trained staff, inclusive community programs, and accessible public services that exemplify the city’s commitment to an inclusive future for all residents and visitors.

Impact on Community Accessibility and Development

How does achieving autism certification impact a city's community accessibility and inclusivity?

Achieving autism certification has a profound effect on a city’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. In Mesa, Arizona, becoming the first Autism Certified City in the U.S. has set a standard for how communities can better serve neurodiverse populations.

The certification process encourages the development of sensory-friendly amenities and events. For instance, many local attractions now offer sensory guides and host 'sensory gentle' events, which help create more welcoming spaces for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Environmental modifications like fences around splash pads and designated quiet zones are designed to reduce sensory overload and make public spaces more comfortable.

Staff training is a crucial component. Mesa has trained over 60 organizations, including police, fire departments, parks, and recreation staff, in neuro-inclusive practices. This ensures that public-facing employees are equipped to support visitors with autism, fostering a community atmosphere based on understanding and compassion.

Beyond physical modifications and staff training, the certification promotes active participation and awareness. The use of programs like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and on-demand visual services like Aira signal a community’s dedication to inclusivity.

Economically, this focus on accessibility attracts families and tourists seeking destinations that prioritize inclusivity. Mesa's initiatives have elevated its reputation as a leading accessible travel hub, encouraging more visitors and boosting local businesses.

Societally, being recognized as an Autism Certified City positions Mesa as a pioneer in promoting community-wide acceptance. These efforts not only improve quality of life for neurodiverse residents but also inspire neighboring towns to pursue similar certifications, fostering a broader culture of inclusivity.

Overall, these initiatives create a more equitable and accessible environment, illustrating how targeted certification efforts promote lasting community development.

Mesa’s Broader Achievements and Future Directions

What role do initiatives like adopting the Sunflower program and services like Aira play in Mesa’s accessibility efforts?

Mesa, Arizona, has shown a strong commitment to accessibility by implementing innovative programs such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program and Aira-guided visual interpretation services. The Sunflower program, adopted in 2021, offers free sunflower-themed lanyards and bracelets to visitors, signaling they might need extra assistance or accommodations. This simple yet effective tool helps create a more understanding and inclusive environment for all travelers.

Aira, on the other hand, provides on-demand visual interpretation services. It helps visitors who are blind or have low vision navigate public spaces, attractions, and services more independently and confidently. These initiatives are part of Mesa’s broader efforts to make sensory-friendly, accessible environments.

By deploying these tools and programs, Mesa ensures that neurodiverse and disabled visitors receive the support they need to enjoy their experience fully. Such dedication has helped Mesa earn the distinction of being the first destination-verified city by Wheel the World for accessible travel in 2023. These efforts highlight Mesa’s vision of inclusive tourism and set a standard for other destinations to follow.

A Model for Inclusive City Planning

Mesa’s pioneering work in becoming the first Autism Certified City in the United States highlights the importance of proactive, community-wide efforts to support neurodiversity. By implementing comprehensive training, sensory-friendly amenities, and innovative assistance programs, Mesa has set a benchmark for inclusive urban development. Its success not only enhances the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families but also offers a replicable model for cities across the nation to foster greater accessibility, awareness, and community cohesion. The ongoing evolution of Mesa’s programs and recognition continues to inspire broader efforts toward creating truly inclusive communities that welcome all residents and visitors.

References

• The First Autism Certified City in the world - Visit Mesa
• Autism Travel - Visit Mesa
• Mesa, AZ is the First Ever Autism Certified City! - Visit Phoenix
• Mesa: The US' first autism-friendly city - BBC
• Mesa, Arizona: America's First Autism Certified City Leading ...
• Mesa, AZ Becomes First-Ever Autism Certified City in U.S. - IBCCES
• Autism Certified City - IBCCES