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Dubai Eye
28-04-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
Dubai becomes autism-certified destination
Dubai has officially gained the recognition as an autism-certified destination, underscoring citywide efforts to make tourism more accessible and inclusive for all. The certification by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) pegs Dubai as the first city in the Eastern Hemisphere to gain the title. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) collaborated with IBCCES to facilitate comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for the city's tourist-facing workforce. In just over two years, the city has marked significant progress in inclusivity, with over 70,000 individuals receiving autism and sensory awareness training. It extends to the hospitality sector, where more than 300 hotels are actively engaged in a training and certification process, aiming to provide comfortable and inclusive experiences for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities. Additionally, more than 15 attractions, along with several beaches and parks, have earned IBCCES certifications, reinforcing the city's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman and CEO, highlighted that the "achievement represents a significant step in ensuring that all visitors, including autistic people and individuals with sensory needs, can explore and experience everything Dubai has to offer with confidence and ease". It comes days after Emirates Airline got the recognition of the world's first Autism-Certified Airline, after successfully training over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff in autism awareness and support. In December 2023, Dubai International (DXB) was recognised as the first international airport to earn the Certified Autism Centre designation. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, "As the first and last impression of the city for millions of travellers, we embrace our responsibility to create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all." Support from attractions and landmarks throughout the city has also been paramount to achieving the Certified Autism Destination status, with Expo City Dubai and a number of attractions under Dubai Holding Entertainment obtaining the recognition over the last year.
Gulf Insider
24-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Emirates Becomes First Autism-Certified Airline Globally
Emirates has achieved designation as the world's first Autism Certified Airline™, with over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff now trained to support customers with autism, the airline announced during Autism Awareness month. The certification follows a year-long collaboration with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which involved detailed reviews and comprehensive audits to create a new blueprint for serving passengers with accessibility requirements, the airline said in a statement. Emirates expands autism travel rehearsals to 17 global cities The airline has also expanded its 'travel rehearsal' programme to 17 cities globally, including Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Dubai, Durban, Luanda, Madrid, Manila, Mauritius, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Toronto. 'Emirates has been driving and facilitating good progress in accessible travel, and it is part of our operational strategy. We continue to work on this mission to make travel more inclusive. At the beginning of 2024, we were recognised as a Certified Autism Center™. We have upskilled our teams and I am pleased to say that we are now the world's first autism-certified airline, with 30,000 frontline staff and cabin crew trained to support our customers with autism. Now we are also rolling out our Travel Rehearsal programme in cities across the globe, to break barriers and make travel accessible for everyone. This is part of our social and professional responsibility,' Adel al Redha, Deputy President and COO, Emirates said. The travel rehearsal concept began in 2023 as a community collaboration in Dubai, involving the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, and several schools and centres for autism. Children and their carers practised airport procedures, including check-in, baggage drop, immigration, security screening, and boarding, helping them become familiar with the airport environment and processes. Parents, therapists and teachers have reported that these rehearsals have been 'invaluable' in helping children have successful flights by offering preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff support. Currently, the travel rehearsal initiative is available on an invitation basis in collaboration with accredited centres. Throughout April, Emirates highlighted autism awareness to passengers through its in-flight entertainment system, featuring films like Temple Grandin and Ezra , podcasts about Dubai's autism-friendly mission, and documentaries including BBC's 'Inside Our Autistic Minds.' The initiative supports Dubai's ambition to become the most accessible destination globally, addressing findings from an survey which revealed that 78 per cent of families hesitate to travel or visit new locations, while 94 per cent would take more holidays if staff were autism-trained and certified. Also read: Pahalgam Terror Attack: Dubai-Based Indian Expat Among Victims
Arabian Business
23-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai's Emirates becomes world's first Autism Certified Airline
Emirates has achieved designation as the world's first Autism Certified Airline™, with over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff now trained to support customers with autism, the airline announced during Autism Awareness month. The certification follows a year-long collaboration with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which involved detailed reviews and comprehensive audits to create a new blueprint for serving passengers with accessibility requirements, the airline said in a statement. Emirates expands autism travel rehearsals to 17 global cities The airline has also expanded its 'travel rehearsal' programme to 17 cities globally, including Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Dubai, Durban, Luanda, Madrid, Manila, Mauritius, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Toronto. 'Emirates has been driving and facilitating good progress in accessible travel, and it is part of our operational strategy. We continue to work on this mission to make travel more inclusive. At the beginning of 2024, we were recognised as a Certified Autism Center™. We have upskilled our teams and I am pleased to say that we are now the world's first autism-certified airline, with 30,000 frontline staff and cabin crew trained to support our customers with autism. Now we are also rolling out our Travel Rehearsal programme in cities across the globe, to break barriers and make travel accessible for everyone. This is part of our social and professional responsibility,' Adel al Redha, Deputy President and COO, Emirates said. The travel rehearsal concept began in 2023 as a community collaboration in Dubai, involving the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, and several schools and centres for autism. Children and their carers practised airport procedures, including check-in, baggage drop, immigration, security screening, and boarding, helping them become familiar with the airport environment and processes. Parents, therapists and teachers have reported that these rehearsals have been 'invaluable' in helping children have successful flights by offering preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff support. Currently, the travel rehearsal initiative is available on an invitation basis in collaboration with accredited centres. Throughout April, Emirates highlighted autism awareness to passengers through its in-flight entertainment system, featuring films like Temple Grandin and Ezra, podcasts about Dubai's autism-friendly mission, and documentaries including BBC's 'Inside Our Autistic Minds.' The initiative supports Dubai's ambition to become the most accessible destination globally, addressing findings from an survey which revealed that 78 per cent of families hesitate to travel or visit new locations, while 94 per cent would take more holidays if staff were autism-trained and certified.
