National Museum of the Great Lakes Renews Certified Autism Center™, Continues Enhancing Accessibility for Visitors

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The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) proudly renews The National Museum of the Great Lakes Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation. This certification renewal proves the museum’s dedication to creating a welcoming and supportive environment, equipping staff with the skills and resources to best assist and support every visitor, especially autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.

“Ensuring accessibility is a core part of our mission,” says Ellen Kennedy, Director of Museum Operations with the National Museum of the Great Lakes.”By renewing our designation as a Certified Autism Center™, we reaffirm our commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all visitors. The Great Lakes belong to everyone, and we want to share their stories in a way that is accommodating and meaningful for all individuals and families, regardless of their needs.”

In addition to training, the museum has also implemented sensory-friendly mornings, which take place on the second Saturday of every month. These dedicated mornings have been created especially for people with sensory sensitivities to allow for a truly immersive and comfortable visit.

“The new expansion of the National Museum of the Great Lakes and the efforts to be inclusive and hospitable to all of us in the region is a hallmark of what makes our community outstanding,” said Cathy Carroll, member of the museum’s Admiral Society and program sponsor of Sensory Friendly Mornings with her husband Bill.

Sensory-friendly mornings at the National Museum of the Great Lakes include:

  • Limited crowds, ensuring a peaceful and relaxed environment.
  • Dimmed lighting to create a calming ambiance.
  • Lowered or even eliminated exhibit sounds, reducing auditory stimulation.

“IBCCES is proud to continue our partnership with the National Museum of the Great Lakes,and we look forward to seeing the continual impact this training and certification will have on every person who visits the museum, especially autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman.

By renewing their certification, the museum continues to play a role in an initiative started by Destination Toledo to turn Toledo into a Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD). IBCCES awards the CAD credential to communities with a multitude of trained and certified lodging, recreation, and entertainment options.

To enhance the visibility of their services and accessible offerings, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is also listed on the Accessibility App directory. Through the directory, users are able to view a gallery of the museum’s location, the accommodations the museum offers and their address, contact information and hours of operation.

The IBCCES Accessibility App is free for users to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of information and resources related to certified organizations, sensory-friendly spaces, and navigating public locations. By connecting users to locations worldwide, employment opportunities, and access to several other accessibility resources, the app helps individuals with disabilities better navigate life and get the most out of daily activities.

For more than two decades, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact.

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 site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.