With the introduction of brand-new sensory guides, Beaches Resorts has announced a significant expansion of its autism program.

Guests with cognitive impairments or their caretakers can use the sensory guides, created by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), to easily access the resort’s offerings in accordance with their own sensory preferences.

Beaches has three all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean; two are in Jamaica (Negril and Ocho Rios) and one is in the Turks & Caicos Islands. All guests, including those on the autism spectrum, are welcome at these resorts. The employees at each of these hotels have received specific training from IBCCES, making them all Advanced Certified Autism Centers.

Detour recently named this beautiful resort collection as one of the best places in the world that has made efforts to make its services and amenities available to people with autism.

Public locations at Beaches Resorts are evaluated on a scale from 1 to 10 for their sensory stimulation in the comprehensive maps that make up the resort’s sensory guides, notes Travel Pulse.

Released just in time for Autism Awareness Month, the sensory guides are an additional service aimed at making vacations more accessible to those with cognitive impairments like autism.

“At Beaches Resorts, the word ‘inclusive’ has dual meanings — one speaks to our business model, and the other speaks to our mission,” Group Manager Joel Ryan explained. “Our enduring commitment to do more in this very important space, and to do it better, has inspired many new programs across our resorts to create a vacation experience that’s safe and comfortable for all.”

“This month and year-round, we’re proud to see and hear from guests who, time and time again, trust to bring their families to a Beaches Resort,” he added.

Beaches Resorts was the first all-inclusive resort organization in the world to complete the IBCCES and Autism Certification process, and it is home to the first advanced autism-friendly kids camps in the Caribbean.

In addition, from October 9-13, families with children on the autism spectrum are invited to attend Beaches Ocho Rios in Jamaica for the resort’s first-ever dedicated autism week for loyalty members and guests.

© 2023 The Charlotte Observer
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