November 2024 marks a significant milestone for the City of Mesa, Arizona: the five-year anniversary of its designation as the first-ever Autism Certified City in the United States. This groundbreaking achievement, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), underscores Mesa’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for neurodiverse individuals.
A Vision Born from Personal Experience
The journey to becoming an Autism Certified City began in 2018 when Marc Garcia, President and CEO of Visit Mesa, experienced the challenges faced by families traveling with children on the autism spectrum during a vacation with his son. The experience motivated Garcia to ensure Mesa would become a welcoming destination for all individuals, regardless of their needs.
In the five years since, the impact of this vision has been remarkable. Over 50 businesses and 7,921 community members have completed autism-specific training, demonstrating Mesa’s shared dedication to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.
“We are incredibly proud of the progress Mesa has made in creating a welcoming environment for all individuals,” said Marc Garcia, President and CEO of Visit Mesa. “Becoming the first Autism Certified City in the U.S. was just the beginning. Our community’s dedication to accessibility and inclusion continues to grow, and Mesa is setting the standard for what it means to be an accessible destination for all.”
Celebrating Five Years of Inclusivity
To honor this milestone, Mesa launched a five-month celebration beginning with the “Live Life Limitless” event on November 7th at The Post. This event not only celebrated the city’s achievements but also introduced the Accessibility Champion Program, a pioneering initiative by Visit Mesa.
The program empowers local businesses to lead in accessibility best practices by designating team members to oversee training and initiatives, ensuring their establishments remain welcoming and inclusive for all visitors. This effort supports Mesa’s vision of becoming one of the most accessible cities in the nation, further cementing its reputation as a trailblazer in inclusive tourism.
Exciting Activities and Programs
Residents and visitors can look forward to a variety of events and programs over the next five months, each designed to enhance the experience for neurodiverse travelers and their families:
- Exclusive Hotel Offers: Autism-certified hotels in Mesa will provide discounts and special packages tailored to the needs of families with autistic members, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable stay.
- Check-In Challenge: Families can visit autism-certified attractions, collect virtual check-ins, and earn prizes while exploring Mesa’s many autism-friendly locations.
- “Spec(trum) Ops” Cider and Soda: In partnership with Cider Corps, Mesa will launch custom beverages to promote autism acceptance.
- Sensory Kits: These kits, available at autism-certified hotels and museums such as the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Mesa Arts Center, offer comfort for visitors with sensory sensitivities.
Lighting It Up for Autism
The celebrations will culminate in April 2025 with Autism Acceptance Month. As part of the festivities, Mesa will “light it up blue” and host the fourth-annual release of Spectrum IPA. This limited-edition brew, crafted in partnership with local brewmasters, will be sold at select businesses, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Mesa For All Foundation.
On World Autism Acceptance Day (April 2nd), a launch party will spotlight this initiative and reflect Mesa’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity.
Pioneering Accessibility Beyond Autism
While autism-related programs remain a cornerstone of Mesa’s efforts, the city has expanded its initiatives to support all individuals with disabilities. Visit Mesa has implemented services such as Aira, a visual interpretation service for visually impaired visitors, and Threshold 360 virtual tours that allow travelers to explore locations online before their visit.
Mesa was also the first U.S. city to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, helping individuals discreetly indicate they may need extra assistance. Most recently, Mesa became the first city in the world to receive the Destination Verified Seal from Wheel the World, an inclusive online booking platform for travelers with disabilities.
“Our goal at Visit Mesa is to empower travelers of all abilities to confidently plan their trips to our destination,” said Alison Brooks, Vice President, Marketing & Destination Experience at Visit Mesa. “For Mesa to achieve the Autism Certified City designation, while also becoming the first city in the world to receive the Destination Verified Seal from Wheel the World, shows that we are dedicated to promoting inclusive travel. The ongoing support from our business partners and from the community plays a pivotal role in sustaining these efforts and ensuring our accessibility programs continue to grow and evolve. Mesa is not only a limitless destination with countless rewarding travel experiences, but visitors will also feel limitless knowing that they can navigate our city without barriers.”
A Model for Inclusive Tourism
Mesa’s designation as the first Autism Certified City in the nation has inspired other communities to adopt similar initiatives. As Mesa continues its mission to become the most accessible city in the world, it remains a shining example of how inclusive policies and practices can create a welcoming environment for everyone.
To learn more about Mesa’s accessibility programs and its designation as the nation’s first Autism Certified City, visit www.visitmesa.com.
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