Traverse City is the first city in Michigan to qualify as a Certified Autism Destination. The designation comes after nearly two dozen travel- and leisure-related businesses and attractions participated in training from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards to learn about accommodating the specific needs of autistic people; increasing numbers of organizations within the hospitality industry have embraced similar efforts.
The Certified Autism Destination training included recognition and understanding of autism and sensory sensitivity concerns. “True community inclusion exceeds simply removing physical accessibility barriers for people with mobility-related disabilities,” says Alanna M. Lahey, executive director of Disability Network Northern Michigan, in a prepared statement. “Creating safe places for neurodiverse people who live with low sensory stimulation thresholds demonstrates Traverse City’s dedication and commitment to building a community that welcomes people of all abilities.”
Whitney Waara, chief operating officer for Traverse City Tourism, says the idea of pursuing the Certified Autism Destination credential grew out of conversations had during a session at a Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism. “We had a couple of our colleagues from the hospitality industry here in northern Michigan with us at the Governor’s Conference and we got to talking,” Waara explains. “And when one or two of our biggest properties say they’re interested—as long as they feel they have the capacity for this kind of a thing, it’s a no-brainer for us.”
For Traverse City to become a Certified Autism Destination, there had to be a diverse mix of participating entities, Waara adds, “Everything from the sailing adventures out on the bay to the museums or the quieter things like walking through Michigan Legacy Art Park … trails, properties, restaurants, and other attractions.”
There are also different levels of certification. For example, a hotel front desk staff person frequently interacting with guests and families is likely to receive more hours of training than, say, a housekeeper who doesn’t have the same level of customer contact.
“It’s relatively customized [based on the type of property or business entity],” Waara says. “You just have to create the right services and accommodations folks might need.”
For Traverse City Tourism’s part, a room in its central downtown location has been designated to be what Waara describes as a “comfort room,” a sensory-friendly space with soft lighting, a sound machine, and a cozy couch for guests young and old. She notes that this room can be for people on the autism spectrum, or just for adults and children who need a space to settle down and get away from outside stimulation for a while.
Waara says being friendly is nothing new for Traverse City businesses. She describes a brewery in the city that has special hours for groups of children to come in and play pinball. “He opens up early and lets the kids come in,” she says. “So there’s a lot of people already doing wonderful things, and [earning the autism-friendly certification] just helps to amplify that.”
Other businesses and attractions continue working to earn autism certification. Meanwhile, Waara estimates at least 1,000 individuals have undergone training at the following properties and attractions that have already been certified:
- Traverse City Tourism and Traverse City Visitors Center
- Blossom Hotel & Suites Traverse City
- COGNiTiON Science & Discovery Center
- Crystal Mountain
- Dennos Museum Center
- Great Lakes Children’s Museum
- Great Wolf Lodge
- Inland Seas Education Association
- Koti
- Lake ‘N Pines Lodge
- Michigan Legacy Art Park
- Mount Holiday
- National Writers Series
- Rainbow Valley Family Farm
- Seaside Sailing Excursions & Charity Charters LLC
- TART Trails
- The Garden Theater
- The Inn at Black Star Farms
- Traverse Area District Library
- Traverse Tall Ship Co.
