North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is the First Museum in North Carolina to Become a Certified Autism Center™

SOUTHPORT, N.C., March 10, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​​North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is now the first museum in North Carolina to earn Certified Autism Center^™ (CAC) designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The Museum staff and volunteers have shown their dedication to providing a supportive environment for guests with autism and other sensory disorders by completing IBCCES’ comprehensive training and certification program.

Joseph Schwarzer Jr., director of the North Carolina Maritime Museums, said, “This is a remarkable achievement for the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport and its entire staff. I couldn’t be prouder.”

For over 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism certification for healthcare, education and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES recognized that many families with children who have special needs have limited travel options. In response to this need, IBCCES created training and certification programs specifically for the hospitality and attractions industry. More parents and individuals are seeking out destinations and organizations that have completed a certification program through an accredited source.

“This process gave us the opportunity to look more deeply at how we are serving everybody who visits the museum,” said Lori Sanderlin, manager of the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport.

The N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport hosts monthly Sensory Saturdays. The free program is offered the first Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the museum, located at 204 E. Moore St. in downtown Southport. During that time, the lights are dimmed, and the audio throughout the museum is turned off. The monthly drop-in program also features a craft to incorporate more hands-on experiences. Volunteers and staff are available to assist as much — or as little — as needed. Those who are less sensitive to external stimuli are, of course, also welcome to participate. Museum staff just asks that they use quiet voices and be mindful of the other patrons during Sensory Saturdays.

IBCCES is the only credentialing organization providing this type of certification, which includes evidence-based information as well as the perspectives of individuals with autism, alongside other tools and resources such as on-site reviews and customized recommendations to ensure the program is a long-term commitment and has a lasting impact.

“North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport staff and volunteers are now better equipped to meet the needs of ALL guests, and we’re proud to work with them on this initiative,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman.

IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for parents that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other. Each destination listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.

For more information on Sensory Saturday or other museum programming, call 910-477-5151 or visit ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Cyndi Brown, North Carolina Maritime Museums public relations coordinator
Phone: 252-504-7744
Email: [email protected]

Meredith Tekin, President of IBCCES
Phone: 904.508.0135 // 904.434.1534
Email: [email protected]

Source: IBCCES