Pinal County Historical Museum is Now A Certified Autism Center™

Pinal County Historical Museum has earned the Certified Autism Center™ designation through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). IBCCES’ training and certification provides museum staff and volunteers the tools and resources to help their autistic guests and those with sensory sensitivities have a memorable visit.

The Museum joins the movement initiated by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce to work with IBCCES to make Florence the next Autism Certified City (ACC). The ACC designation is awarded to cities where organizations representing key areas, including healthcare, education, public safety, hospitality, and recreation, are trained and certified to better serve autistic residents and visitors as well as those with sensory needs.

Executive Director, Stephanie Joyner shares, “The Pinal County Historical Museum (PCHS Museum) strives to be a welcoming space for all and to serve our community’s diverse populations. This autism certification directly aligns with PCHS Museum’s mission; our team is thrilled to continue training to serve our community better and participate in Florence’s town-wide initiative to be an Autism Certified City.”

The PCHS Museum is the oldest historical organization in Pinal County and preserves and shares Florence and Pinal County’s rich history through exhibitions and educational programming. The Museum also offers special needs accommodations, including early-bird quiet visitation by appointment and a quiet space. For more information about special needs accommodations, call the museum at 520-868-4382.

“Pinal County Historical Museum staff and volunteers are continuing their commitment to be a resource for their community and we’re excited to work with them on this initiative,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman.

For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been the leader in autism and cognitive disorder certification for healthcare, education, and corporate professionals worldwide. The phrase “autism friendly” means something different to everyone, and more parents and individuals are seeking out organizations that have completed a formal certification from an accredited credentialing source with long-term goals and support. IBCCES is the only credentialing organization providing this type of training and certification, which includes evidence-based training as well as the perspectives of autistic individuals, alongside other tools and resources such as onsite reviews, customized recommendations, and long-term support and guidance to ensure the program is a long-term commitment and has a lasting impact.

IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for parents that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other. Each destination listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.

About IBCCES

Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.