May 9, 2023, WXII, Winston-Salem, NC: 'Game changer': Triad city becomes first Certified Autism Destination on the East Coast https://www.wxii12.com/amp/article/north-carolina-triad-city-becomes-first-certified-autism-destination-east-coast/43834908
The city of High Point has become the first Certified Autism Destination on the East Coast and the second one in the country.
Visit High Point and several city leaders gathered at the Qubein Children's Museum Tuesday to make the official announcement.
“We're proud to lead the way and it’s really going to be important for our vision of inclusiveness in high point and to our economy and we just couldn’t be more proud," Mayor of High Point Jay Wagner said.
Those who helped make High Point a Certified Autism Destination called this a "game changer for High Point."
According to officials, the distinction is awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.
Officials said CAD recognizes the city's commitment to making its attractions, hotels, restaurants, and public spaces accessible and welcoming to people with autism and their families.
According to a press release, the certification process involved extensive staff training for Visit High Point and partner organizations in the city, including attractions, restaurants, hotels, and recreation facilities.
Officials said this training ensures that management and the city in High Point are equipped to support people with autism and other sensory sensitivities.
“Really, it opens a lot of windows and doors for our attractions and our restaurants and our amenities here in town, our accommodations to connect with new visitors, to be able to service them, to communicate and understand and provide those wonderful experiences that we have to offer here in High Point," Melody Burnett, President of Visit High Point, said.
Burnett and others who spoke at Tuesday's groundbreaking highlighted the need for a CAD city saying that Autism Spectrum Disorder occurs in 1 in 36 people.
“It’s growing at a rate at 600% so just those statistics alone tells us we need to be in prime position to be able to accommodate those visitors and those residents that may have autism spectrum disorder," Burnett said.
List of High Point's Certified Autism Centers:
Visit High Point
Distractions Art Studio
High Point Museum
High Point Public Library
Nido & Mariana Qubein Children's Museum
Q's Corner
Giannos restaurant
Sweet Old Bill's restaurant
High Point Arts Council
High Point Rockers
Carl Chavis YMCA
Hartley Drive Family YMCA
Courtyard by Marriot
JH Adams Inn/Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Seven Oaks Bed and Breakfast
Wingate by Wyndham
