Mesa Chamber of Commerce Earns Certified Autism Center Designation

MESA, Ariz., May 7, 2019 (Newswire.com) - ​The Mesa Chamber of Commerce is the first of its kind in the country to earn the Certified Autism Center designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The Certified Autism Center designation is awarded by IBCCES to organizations that have completed a training and review process and are committed to serving individuals with autism and other sensory needs.

The Mesa Chamber is making this commitment to help businesses be more welcoming and understanding of individuals on the autism spectrum, as part of a community initiative in Mesa in partnership with IBCCES to ensure corporate, educational and entertainment options are available that have been trained and certified in autism.

“The goal of the Mesa Chamber is to ensure that all areas of our community, including our health care partners, our education system and our corporate members are trained and certified to deliver their product or service to guests with autism and other cognitive disorders. Mesa is known as a community with high values and a huge heart. Not only is the Mesa Autism Initiative the right thing to do for our community but it will set us apart from every other city in the country and showcase our beautiful community in a way that will attract visitors from all over the globe, add new jobs for our citizens and drive economic growth.”

For almost 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism training for health care, education and corporate professionals around the globe.

“One of the things many people don’t understand is that individuals don’t ‘outgrow’ autism. As a result, it becomes the responsibility of the whole community to embrace these individuals for who they are at all stages of life. We’re proud to be working with the Mesa Chamber of Commerce to do just that,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman.  

Individuals on the autism spectrum have varying needs and behaviors, but many have skills and talents that are in high demand, such as pattern and error recognition, strong attention to detail and a direct communication style. Although some large corporations, such as Microsoft, Walgreens, Capital One, AMC Theaters, and Procter & Gamble are starting to recognize the value of neurodiversity and recruit for these types of candidates, many individuals on the spectrum are unable to find employment or abundant resources once they reach adulthood. According to a recent study from the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute in Philadelphia, about 40% of adults on the spectrum do not find employment or continue their education after high school. Businesses that are trained to welcome these candidates can reap the benefits of their skills and talents, and the community as a whole is impacted in a positive way. The IBCCES and Mesa Chamber of Commerce partnership is aiming to meet these needs head on and create a more dynamic workforce and thriving business community with a competitive advantage.

“It is a wonderful thing that the Chamber once again leads the way in building relationships and driving economic activity. Epictetus, a Greek philosopher born 55 AD, said ‘Only the educated are free.’ By being the first Chamber in the country certified in autism, the Mesa Chamber and all that join with us will profoundly impact many lives for a more vibrant, thriving future,” said Mesa Chamber Board Chair Jared Langkilde of HonorHealth Foundation.

IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com and CertifiedAutismCenter.com to serve as resources for individuals and families with children on the spectrum to connect with certified organizations and professionals, as well as each other.

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About Mesa Chamber of Commerce

With a history that extends more than 110 years, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce has come a long way. The Chamber continues to bring top of the line networking opportunities to the community. Witnessing the growth and expansion of Mesa has given the Chamber more motivation to stay ahead of the curve and offer effective, up to trend events and programs throughout the years.

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 CONTACTS:

Bob Nelson, Communications Director
Mesa Chamber of Commerce
480.969.1307 x25​
[email protected]

Meredith Tekin, President
IBCCES
904.508.0135
[email protected]

Source: IBCCES