News Release

Castillo de San Marcos Becomes First National Park to Earn Certified Autism Center™ Designation

Date: January 15, 2025

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument joins a growing number of tourism and recreation-related organizations in northeast Florida to be awarded the Certified Autism Center™ designation by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification comes as part of a larger initiative led by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, aiming to achieve the Certified Autism Destination™ designation. The initiative will ensure that St. Johns County and the City of St. Augustine offer a multitude of options for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families seeking entertainment, recreation, and lodging.

“Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is proud to be the first U.S. national park area designated as a Certified Autism Center by IBCCES,” says Superintendent Gordie Wilson. “Park staff are committed to the National Park Service's vision to provide amazing, meaningful experiences for everyone who visits these national treasures. This initial step helps us rise to the challenge of creating a fun, equitable, and accessible environment where visitors thrive.”

This designation signifies the park’s commitment to enhancing inclusivity for autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. As the first national park to earn the designation, Castillo de San Marcos staff completed a specialized training and certification process, equipping them with resources and best practices to assist visitors. “We’re proud to partner with Castillo de San Marcos National Monument as they provide critical knowledge about our past and protect this amazing historic landmark,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman.

In the summer of 2024, the Castillo hosted a Youth Empowerment Stewards (YES) Program intern, in partnership with Conservation Legacy, who conducted extensive ground-truthing to produce accessibility guides for the public. These, along with sensory guides and feedback from IBCCES will be used to inform park managers about decision making and program development in the coming year. The park is excited to make the in-person and online visitor experience more accessible to all.

About IBCCES
Committed to providing The Global Standard for Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.


Media Contacts

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Kristine Brunsman, Interpretation Operations Supervisor
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

IBCCES
Meredith Tekin, President
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]