Thursday, April 18, 2024
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has reaffirmed its status as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), a recognition granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This renewal underscores their ongoing commitment to enhance the visitor experience, particularly for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. The certification requires that organizations such as the Dr. Phillips Center ensure at least 80% of their customer-facing staff, including those in guest services, the box office, and production teams, receive specialized training to better serve autistic or sensory-sensitive guests and their families. This initiative, first achieved in 2019, highlights the center’s dedication to inclusive service.
“Ingrained in our culture is ensuring we continue to create a space where all guests feel welcomed to immerse themselves in the arts,” says Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Center. “In delivering the vision of Arts For Every Life®, we remain committed to furthering education and awareness for everyone who comes through our doors.”
IBCCES has spearheaded cognitive disorder training and certification for over two decades, catering to professionals in healthcare, education, and corporate sectors worldwide. They have developed tailored programs for the hospitality and leisure industry, targeting facilities like hotels, theme parks, museums, and other venues to enhance staff understanding and accommodation of this often overlooked segment of the population. Unique in its offering, IBCCES provides comprehensive programs that include expert-led training, ongoing support, and periodic site reviews.
“We are excited that the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts continues to expand their focus on accessibility,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “Ensuring that autistic guests and their families can have wonderful experiences continues to be a priority for this venue, and they are an asset in pushing the industry forward to be more inclusive and welcoming for ALL.”
Further enriching its commitment, the Dr. Phillips Center provides a variety of resources for visitors with autism and other cognitive challenges to engage with the arts more comfortably. These resources encompass sensory-friendly aids to help prepare for visits, services like American Sign Language interpretation, assisted listening systems, and captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Moreover, the center is active in offering sensory-friendly programming such as the Pilobolus @ Play residency, inclusive acting workshops, and the Second City Residency. Plans are also underway to equip performance spaces specifically designed to be sensory-friendly, ensuring a welcoming environment for all guests.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
