Old Town Artisan Studios Becomes Certified Autism Center™, Joins Valley-Wide Initiative

LA QUINTA, CA, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) proudly awards the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation to Old Town Artisan Studios. For the certification, 91% of staff completed specialized autism and sensory training, exceeding the 80% staff training requirement for the CAC designation and equipping the team with the skills and best practices to support and welcome autistic individuals and sensory-sensitive visitors. As part of the certification process, IBCCES also conducted an onsite review of Old Town Artisan Studios to create sensory guides and recommend ways to further enhance accessibility.

“Achieving autism certification is a meaningful milestone for Old Town Artisan Studios and a reflection of our deep commitment to inclusivity,” says Roccie Hill, Executive Director of Old Town Artisan Studios. “We are taking intentional steps to remove barriers and create an environment where everyone feels seen, respected, and inspired. This certification strengthens our vision of being a truly accessible community resource where creativity belongs to everyone.”

“It’s important to us that every guest who walks onto our campus or engages with our programs feels safe, supported, and encouraged to participate fully,” says Andy Taylor, Director of Community Engagement at Old Town Artisan Studios. “By completing this process, our team is prepared to welcome individuals on the autism spectrum and people with sensory needs, as well as their families, with confidence and care.”

“Art has the power to bring people together, and Old Town Artisan Studios is leading by example,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES CEO & Board Chairman. “By becoming a Certified Autism Center™, they are fostering an inclusive space where creativity and accessibility go hand in hand, ensuring every visitor can fully participate and feel supported.”

Old Town Artisan Studios joins a wider movement initiated by Visit Greater Palm Springs, which helped Greater Palm Springs achieve the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) designation. The CAD designation means visitors have multiple trained and certified options to choose from when in the area, including entertainment, recreation, and lodging.

For 25 years, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel, and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews, and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact.

To further support inclusivity efforts, Old Town Artisan Studios is featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.

IBCCES also provides access to resources such as AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, which are free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met IBCCES certification requirements.

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About Old Town Artisan Studios
Old Town Artisan Studios (OTAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in La Quinta, California, dedicated to providing inclusive, accessible art experiences for people of all ages, abilities and financial backgrounds. Visit oldtownartisanstudios.org to learn more.

About IBCCES
Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be industry leaders and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For 25 years, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 125 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.

In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and
safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare and workplace sectors.

IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.

Meredith Tekin
IBCCES
+1 904-508-0135
marketing@ibcces.org
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Written By: EIN Presswire