The Fort Myers Miracle Becomes First MILB Organization to Become Certified Autism Center
FT. MYERS, Fla., April 24, 2019 (Newswire.com) - The Fort Myers Miracle, the High-A Florida State League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, has completed the process to become a Certified Autism Center, a designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) that demonstrates the organization’s commitment to ensuring guests with autism and sensory sensitivities have the best possible experience. The organization completed awareness sensitivity training, as well as an on-site review by IBCCES to make additional recommendations on the guest experience.
Parents with children on the autism spectrum often find choosing destinations and attractions a challenge, due to sensory needs, dietary restrictions and safety concerns. In recent years, the popularity of “autism-friendly” options has grown; however, visitors often seek out organizations that have completed research-based training or certification to ensure their needs can be met.
"It’s important to me for the Miracle to have a strong presence in the community and make sure that our games are a comfortable, welcoming setting. We want Hammond Stadium to be inclusive for everyone. We are excited to go through this process with Myron and his team so that we can ensure that we are doing everything we can to welcome fans with special needs and provide family-friendly fun to everyone,” said Andrew Kaufmann, Miracle Owner.
For almost 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism training for health care, education and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES recognized that many families with children with special needs have limited trained travel and entertainment options and created programs specifically for those industries.
“We’re excited to be working with our first MILB team; the connection to baseball can be strong for many individuals on the spectrum. We’re thrilled to have more options for families looking for a fun and welcoming atmosphere,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman.
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 the Certified Autism Center (CAC) requirements.
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About The Fort Myers Miracle
The Fort Myers Miracle are the High-A Florida State League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins and play their home games at Hammond Stadium. For ticket information, log on to www.miraclebaseball.com or call the Miracle office at 239-768-4210.
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. As part of our commitment to sharing the latest innovations and research, IBCCES also hosts the International Symposium on Cognitive Research and Disorders to create a forum for collaboration among industry stakeholders.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Chris Peters
Miracle Media Relations
(239) 768-4210
Meredith Tekin
Phone: 904.508.0135 / 904.434.1534
Email: meredith@ibcces.org
Source: IBCCES
