Phoenix becomes largest U.S. municipality with Certified Autism Center designation

The City of Phoenix has earned Certified Autism Center designation from IBCCES after more than 80% of front-facing employees, including police and fire personnel, completed specialized training. The certification puts Phoenix at the top of a growing list of cities using autism and sensory-access standards to improve services for residents and visitors.

Why it matters: - Phoenix is now the largest municipality in the U.S. to hold the Certified Autism Center™ designation. - The certification is intended to improve access for autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors across city services, facilities and public spaces. - The designation adds to Phoenix’s broader accessibility push, which also includes dementia-friendly initiatives and other inclusion-focused changes.

What happened: - The City of Phoenix received the Certified Autism Center™ designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. - City leaders gathered at City Hall to accept the certificate. - More than 80% of front-facing city employees completed specialized training before the designation was awarded. - Police and Fire personnel were included in that training.

The details: - IBCCES conducts onsite reviews across City of Phoenix locations as part of the certification process. - Those reviews include actionable recommendations and sensory guides designed to improve accessibility. - The city’s Strategic Workgroup on Accessibility recommended the initiative. - Mayor Kate Gallego called for the task force to help create a more accessible Phoenix. - Councilwoman Debra Stark chaired the workgroup. - The workgroup helped develop inclusive design standards for newly constructed homes. - The workgroup also pushed improved wayfinding for people with low or no vision. - Phoenix installed new hearing loop technology in City Council Chambers. - Phoenix is also designated as a Dementia Friendly City. - More information is available on the city’s accessibility efforts.

Between the lines: - The certification signals a shift from one-off accommodations to a broader, citywide accessibility framework. - Training front-line employees matters because those staff members are the first point of contact for many residents and visitors. - The city’s work aligns Phoenix with a growing national focus on sensory-friendly public services and universal access. - IBCCES framed the designation as part of a larger ecosystem of certified destinations and support tools, including its Accessibility App and certification directories.

What's next: - Phoenix will continue working with IBCCES as the city looks to expand accessibility improvements. - The City of Phoenix says ongoing efforts will focus on removing barriers and improving access to services, programs and facilities. - The city is listed on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which provides real-time guidance on certified destinations and sensory-friendly spaces. - IBCCES also points families to AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, which list certified locations and professionals.

The bottom line: - Phoenix has turned autism accessibility into a citywide standard, and the CAC designation gives that effort a formal national benchmark.