Railroad crew receives autism certification
Colebrookdale Railroad has completed the process of becoming a Certified Autism Center, which is a designation that demonstrates the organization’s commitment to ensuring guests and families with children who have autism and sensory disorders have the best possible experience. Stretching between Berks and Montgomery counties, the Colebrookdale Railroad traverses the Secret Valley, one of the most scenic and historic regions in the northeast.
“This is very important to the railroad because from time to time we have children with autism ride our train, especially when we run our yearly Autism Train,” said Frank Buttaro Jr., director of marketing and business development at Colebrookdale. “It is also meaningful to me since my grandson is on the spectrum.”
Colebrookdale Railroad implemented the CAC program, which requires staff training and cer-
tification through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), to further welcome all families, regardless of their needs.
In recent years, the popularity of “autism-friendly” options has grown; however, parents and families often seek out organizations that have completed additional research-based training or certification to ensure their needs can be met. For almost 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism training for healthcare, education and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES recognized that many families with children with special needs have limited travel and entertainment options and created programs specifically for those industries.
“We’re proud to work with industry leaders and pioneering organizations such as Colebrookdale Railroad to ensure individuals on the spectrum or those with sensory disorders have access to trained and certified attractions and venues,” 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 or attraction listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center requirements, which include extensive staff training conducted by leading autism experts