St. Johns County Parks and Recreation is stepping up to ensure that their spaces are welcoming for all, including those on the autism spectrum. In a recent move, the department has been awarded the Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification indicates that their staff has undergone specialized training to better accommodate autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors.
As the community program coordinator, Tess Simpson shared her enthusiasm about making the parks more accessible, "We couldn’t be more excited at the opportunity to make St. Johns County parks and facilities even more accessible to our residents and visitors," she said, according to a statement on the St. Johns County official website. The IBCCES also provided an onsite review of the facilities, which contributed to the creation of sensory guides, and other improvements for a better visitor experience.
St. Johns County is not acting in isolation but is part of a broader initiative led by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. This initiative has a goal: to turn St. Johns County into a Certified Autism Destination, thereby ensuring that there are multiple certified options for entertainment, recreation, and lodging available to those with autism and sensory sensitivities. Myron Pincomb, the board chairman of IBCCES, affirmed the importance of such efforts and said on the St. Johns County, "We are excited to see the impact this certification and their role in the larger county-wide initiative will have on the entire community."
In celebration of their new designation and in service to the community, St. Johns County Parks and Recreation will also hold its annual Kite Day event at Treaty Park’s multipurpose field, a sentiment of joy for both the organization and attendees. The first 100 participants at the event will receive a free kite, through the support of Alive Credit Union, highlighting both a community-focused approach and the drive towards inclusivity. Moreover, the county's parks and recreational sites will be listed on IBCCES's AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for parents, which details certified and autism-friendly locations.
