MEDINA, Saudi Arabia: (Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah) makes history by becoming the first Autism Certified City™ (ACC) in Saudi Arabia, a milestone that reflects its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. This prestigious designation, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), positions Medina as a leader in creating supportive and welcoming environments for all residents and visitors.
A New Era of Accessibility in Medina: Medina has long been a beacon of faith, history, and progress. Known as a hub of Islamic heritage, Medina attracts millions of visitors annually. With its new ACC designation, the city is expanding its legacy of hospitality and care by ensuring that autistic individuals and those with sensory sensitivities can fully experience its rich cultural and spiritual offerings.
What Does an Autism Certified City™ Mean?: An Autism Certified City™ (ACC) designation signifies a community’s dedication to inclusivity and accessibility for autistic individuals and their families. This prestigious certification is awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), requiring significant effort and commitment from the city and its stakeholders.
A vital component of an ACC is the presence of Certified Autism Centers™ (CACs) and Certified Neurodiverse Workplaces (CNWs). The CAC accreditation recognizes organizations, or locations, that meet strict requirements to better serve autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. The CNW accreditation recognizes organizations that meet strict requirements to enhance company culture and inclusion in the workplace. The certification process for the CAC and CNW includes:
- Staff Training: At least 80% of guest-facing staff must undergo specialized training to effectively support and communicate with autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.
- Onsite Review (CAC): IBCCES conducts a thorough review of the facility, offering tailored recommendations to improve accessibility and the overall experience for autistic visitors and their families.
- Process Review (CNW): IBCCES provides a comprehensive review of the company policies and procedures with recommendations to promote inclusive hiring practices and company culture while enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.
- Commitment to Ongoing Training: Medina is dedicated to continuous learning by participating in ongoing IBCCES training to ensure staff remain updated on best practices for serving autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.
The ACC designation integrates these certified organizations across essential sectors, such as healthcare, education, hospitality, public safety, and workplace inclusivity. This collective effort equips Medina’s workforce with the skills needed to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, understood, and valued. By meeting these stringent standards, Medina exemplifies its dedication to setting a new standard for accessibility and inclusivity.
Key stakeholders in Medina have undergone specialized training to enhance their ability to serve autistic individuals and their families. Certified sectors include:
- Healthcare: Clinical and administrative professionals are trained to provide exceptional care tailored to the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive patients.
- Education: Educators and school staff have undergone autism-specific training, enhancing their ability to identify and support neurodivergent students while fostering more inclusive educational practices.
- Tourism and Hospitality: Staff across hotels, attractions, entertainment venues, and transportation services are now better equipped to welcome autistic and sensory-sensitive guests, creating enjoyable and seamless experiences.
- Public Safety: Law enforcement and first responders are trained to ensure effective communication and safety.
- Workplace Inclusivity: Employers learn strategies to support neurodivergent staff, enhancing workplace diversity and productivity.
Accessibility App: Enhancing Visitor Experiences: To further support inclusivity efforts, all certified locations in Medina will be featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App. This app provides visitors and residents with real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.
Global Benefits and Recognition: The Autism Certified City™ initiative is not just about inclusivity—it’s a catalyst for economic growth and global recognition. By attracting a previously underserved market of over 200 million people globally with cognitive differences, Medina is set to see a significant boost in tourism and local revenue.
Key Quotes from Visionary Leaders
- We want to ensure that residents and visitors in Medina experience a city that is truly inclusive. Partnering with IBCCES allows us to equip our community to better serve individuals with autistic individuals and those with sensory sensitivities, ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone.” – Dr. Adel Alwafi, Prince Faisal bin Salman Autism Center.
- “The Autism Certified City™ initiative is a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible Medina for both residents and visitors. By becoming the first city in Saudi Arabia to pursue this certification, Medina is not only enhancing the quality of life for autistic and neurodivergent individuals but also setting a pioneering example for other cities to follow. This collaboration with Medina holds the potential to inspire others across the region to embrace inclusivity and take similar steps toward becoming more accessible.” – Myron Pincomb, CEO of IBCCES.
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, as well as other resources and long-term support that helps them understand how to better accommodate and assist autistic or sensory-sensitive residents and visitors and their families.
IBCCES also provides access to resources such as CertifiedAutismCenter.com and AutismTravel.com, free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the sites have met the CAC or CNW requirements.
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