Pioneering Autism Acceptance: Americas First Autism Certified City

Discover Mesa, Arizona, America's first autism certified city, leading the way in pioneering autism acceptance.

By Brighter Strides ABA

May 1, 2024

Understanding Autism Certification

Autism certification is a process that involves recognizing and acknowledging the efforts made by a city or community to understand and accommodate the unique needs of individuals with autism. It serves as a catalyst for change, inspiring other cities and communities to follow suit and adopt similar inclusive practices. The impact of autism certification goes beyond the local community, with the potential to influence the broader autism community at a national level.

The prevalence of autism is significant, with approximately 1 in 36 children being diagnosed with autism in the United States. Additionally, millions of adults are autistic but were never formally diagnosed. Autism certification plays a crucial role in developing better support systems, increasing awareness, and improving access to resources for individuals with autism and their families.

By being autism certified, a city showcases its dedication to understanding and accommodating the unique needs of individuals with autism. This commitment not only benefits the local community but also has the potential to impact the broader autism community at a national level. The certification serves as a model for other cities and communities, inspiring them to adopt similar inclusive practices and create a more inclusive society for individuals with autism and their families.

In addition to the social impact, autism certification also has economic advantages. The U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy categorizes persons with disabilities as the third-largest market segment in the U.S., following Hispanics and African-Americans. This market segment expands further when considering family members, caregivers, and others who prioritize goods and services inclusive of persons with disabilities. In a report by Accenture titled "Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage," it was highlighted that being inclusive benefits not only people with disabilities but also positively impacts the bottom line of businesses.

Autism certification serves as a powerful tool for creating an inclusive society, promoting understanding, and supporting individuals with autism. It not only showcases a city's dedication but also inspires positive change on a broader scale, influencing other cities and communities to embrace autism acceptance and adopt inclusive practices.

America's First Autism Certified City

Mesa, Arizona's Initiative:

In a pioneering move, Mesa, Arizona has become America's first autism certified city, setting an example for inclusivity and support for individuals with autism. This significant milestone was achieved through the dedicated efforts of Marc Garcia, the president and CEO of Visit Mesa, who was inspired by his son's autism diagnosis. The initiative aims to create an environment where individuals on the autism spectrum can thrive, access appropriate services, and feel embraced by their community.

Benefits of Certification:

By obtaining autism certification, Mesa, Arizona has taken a significant step forward in creating an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with autism. The certification not only demonstrates the city's commitment to inclusivity but also leads to enhanced support and services for individuals with autism. The benefits of certification extend beyond the immediate community, inspiring other cities and communities to follow suit and adopt similar inclusive practices.

The certification process involves meeting specific criteria and standards set by accredited organizations. It takes into account various aspects of a city's infrastructure, education system, healthcare facilities, and community engagement to ensure a holistic approach towards autism inclusion. Mesa's autism certification serves as a catalyst for change, encouraging the development of better support systems, increased awareness, and improved access to resources for individuals with autism and their families.

The benefits of Mesa's autism certification are not limited to the local community. It has the potential to impact the broader autism community at a national level. By setting an example and achieving this milestone, Mesa inspires other cities to strive for similar achievements, creating a more inclusive and understanding society for individuals with autism across the country [5].

Mesa's commitment to becoming an autism certified city has led to the implementation of various initiatives. These include education and training programs for teachers and educators to effectively work with individuals on the autism spectrum. Additionally, sensory-friendly events and spaces have been developed to accommodate the unique sensory needs of individuals with autism. The city's dedication to creating an inclusive environment is evident through the participation of over 500 Mesa Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities employees, along with nearly 4,000 community members representing 60 businesses and organizations, who completed autism training programs to achieve the certification.

Mesa's autism certification not only benefits the local community but also has a positive impact on the health of the entire community. This inclusive approach to visitor marketing highlights the importance of creating an environment that welcomes and accommodates all visitors, regardless of their unique needs. Visit Mesa encourages other destinations and organizations to follow suit in creating inclusive environments for all visitors.

The initiative undertaken by Mesa, Arizona showcases the power of collaboration and the positive outcomes that can be achieved when communities come together to create an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with autism.

The Process of Autism Certification

Achieving autism certification involves meeting specific criteria and standards set by accredited organizations. This certification ensures comprehensive support, services, and resources for individuals with autism and their families [5].

Criteria and Standards

The criteria and standards for autism certification are designed to create an inclusive environment that caters to the unique needs of individuals with autism. These criteria may include:

Training and Education: Professionals and staff members undergo specialized training to gain a better understanding of autism, its characteristics, and effective strategies for interaction and support.
Accessibility and Accommodations: Certified entities must provide physical accommodations to ensure easy access for individuals with disabilities. They may need to modify facilities, including entrances, waiting areas, and restrooms, to accommodate individuals with autism.
Sensory Considerations: Certified entities take into account sensory sensitivities experienced by individuals with autism. This may involve creating sensory-friendly environments, minimizing noise levels, providing quiet spaces, and using appropriate lighting.
Communication and Social Supports: Certified organizations implement strategies to facilitate effective communication and social interactions with individuals on the autism spectrum. This may involve providing visual supports, social stories, and clear communication techniques.
Staff Sensitivity and Awareness: Organizations seeking certification prioritize staff training and education on autism awareness, sensitivity, and understanding. This helps create a welcoming and accepting environment for individuals with autism and their families.

Evaluation and Training

To achieve autism certification, organizations undergo an evaluation process conducted by certified professionals. This evaluation assesses the organization's adherence to the established criteria and standards. It may include on-site visits, interviews, and reviews of policies and practices.

Once certified, ongoing training and education are typically required to maintain the certification. This ensures that staff members stay updated with the latest research, best practices, and advancements in the field of autism support and services.

The process of autism certification aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment for individuals with autism. It not only showcases a city's dedication to understanding and accommodating the unique needs of individuals with autism but also serves as a catalyst for change, inspiring other cities and communities to follow suit and adopt similar inclusive practices.

By setting and meeting these criteria and standards, certified entities foster greater independence and inclusivity for individuals with autism. It also raises awareness and understanding of autism within the community, reduces stigmatization, and promotes acceptance. Additionally, businesses that ensure easy access for individuals with disabilities have the potential to expand their market segment and gain economic advantages.

Creating an Inclusive Environment

To create an inclusive environment in America's first autism-certified city, Mesa, Arizona, various measures have been taken to provide support and services for individuals on the autism spectrum. Additionally, community engagement plays a vital role in fostering understanding and acceptance.

Support and Services

Mesa, Arizona has implemented a range of support and services to meet the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. Collaborating with educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community organizations, comprehensive training and education programs have been established. These programs aim to increase awareness and understanding of autism, promote early intervention, and provide support for individuals with autism and their families.

By offering education and training programs for teachers and educators, Mesa ensures that professionals interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum have the knowledge and skills required to effectively support their specific needs. These initiatives encompass strategies for creating inclusive learning environments and implementing evidence-based practices that benefit students with autism.

Furthermore, Mesa has developed sensory-friendly events and spaces that accommodate the unique sensory needs of individuals with autism. These initiatives create a welcoming environment by reducing sensory stimuli that may be overwhelming for individuals with autism. By providing sensory-friendly options, Mesa ensures that individuals on the autism spectrum can participate in community activities and access public spaces comfortably.

Community Engagement

Community engagement is an essential aspect of creating an inclusive environment. In America's first autism-certified city, Mesa, Arizona, efforts have been made to engage the community and foster understanding and acceptance of autism. This engagement encourages people to actively support and include individuals with autism in various aspects of community life.

Mesa has collaborated with community organizations to organize events and activities that promote autism awareness and acceptance. These initiatives help to dispel misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding autism and encourage empathy and understanding among community members.

Additionally, businesses and organizations in Mesa have embraced the Autism Friendly Designation program, which includes employee training and onsite resources to support individuals with autism and other disabilities. By ensuring that their physical locations are accessible and inclusive, these businesses and organizations not only contribute to creating a welcoming environment but also attract customers who value accessibility and inclusivity. According to the American Institutes for Research Report in 2018, 78% of consumers are willing to purchase goods and services from businesses that ensure easy access for individuals with disabilities at their physical locations.

Through these community engagement initiatives, Mesa promotes a culture of acceptance and inclusivity, encouraging individuals on the autism spectrum to actively participate in community activities and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.

By providing comprehensive support and services and actively engaging the community, Mesa, Arizona is leading the way in creating an inclusive environment for individuals with autism. These efforts not only benefit the local community but also have the potential to inspire other cities to strive for similar milestones, ultimately creating a more understanding and accepting society for individuals with autism nationwide [5].

Inspiring National Change

The impact of Mesa, Arizona's autism certification extends beyond the local community, inspiring other cities and communities to follow suit and adopt similar inclusive practices. The pioneering efforts of Mesa have the potential to create a ripple effect, leading to positive changes on a national scale [5].

Influence on Other Cities

Mesa's autism certification serves as a powerful example for other cities to strive for similar milestones. By showcasing a dedication to understanding and accommodating the unique needs of individuals with autism, Mesa inspires other communities to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility.

National Impact

The impact of autism certification goes beyond individual cities. It contributes to the development of better support systems, increased awareness, and improved access to resources for individuals with autism and their families across the country. By setting an example of inclusion and understanding, Mesa's commitment to autism certification creates a more inclusive society for individuals with autism at a national level [5].

The efforts of Mesa, Arizona in becoming America's first autism certified city have garnered attention and recognition. This recognition not only benefits the local community but also has the potential to influence and inspire other cities to prioritize autism certification. As more cities adopt similar inclusive practices, the nation as a whole moves closer to creating a society that understands and accommodates the unique needs of individuals with autism.

Practical Implementation

In the journey towards becoming America's first Autism Certified City, Mesa, Arizona has successfully implemented practical measures to create an inclusive environment for individuals with autism. This section will explore the certified spots in Mesa and the visitor resources and guides available to ensure a positive experience for individuals with autism and their families.

Certified Spots in Mesa

To achieve the autism certification, over 500 employees from Mesa Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, along with nearly 4,000 community members representing 60 businesses and organizations, completed autism training programs. This commitment to training ensures that at least 80% of the guest-facing staff in certified spots are knowledgeable and certified in the field of autism.

Among the certified spots in Mesa are renowned hotels such as Delta Hotels by Marriott, Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West, and Hyatt Place Phoenix/Mesa. These hotels have staff trained to better assist travelers with autism, showcasing the city's dedication to being an inclusive tourism destination. By providing trained staff, these certified spots aim to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals with autism and their families.

Visitor Resources and Guides

To further enhance the visitation experience, Visit Mesa, the destination marketing organization, has developed an extensive website providing sensory guides, a list of Certified Autism Centers, dining options, attractions, and more. This comprehensive resource allows visitors to plan their trip while considering the specific needs of individuals with autism.

Additionally, Visit Mesa offers a free digital passport that visitors can use to check off the destinations they've visited. Visitors who check into five locations on the list receive a small prize, incentivizing exploration and engagement with the certified spots and attractions in Mesa. This initiative not only encourages visitors to experience the city but also fosters inclusivity and awareness of autism-friendly establishments.

By providing visitor resources and guides, Visit Mesa ensures that individuals with autism and their families can confidently navigate the city and enjoy their visit. These resources empower visitors to make informed decisions, maximizing their experience while feeling supported and understood.

The practical implementation of autism certification in Mesa showcases the city's commitment to inclusivity and its dedication to creating a positive environment for individuals with autism. Through the efforts of certified spots and the support of Visit Mesa, Mesa, Arizona sets an example for other destinations and organizations, encouraging them to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility in their visitor marketing strategies.