Yas Island Theme Parks Earn Certified Autism Center Designation

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) has announced that Yas Island's theme parks and attractions, operated by Miral Experiences, have earned the respected Certified Autism Center (CAC) title. These attractions include Ferrari World Yas Island, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Yas Island, SeaWorld Yas Island, and CLYMB Yas Island, all located in Abu Dhabi. This certification highlights Miral Experiences' dedication to making the theme parks more inclusive and accessible, ensuring that autistic and sensory-sensitive guests, as well as their families, have a better experience.

To earn the CAC accreditation, the theme parks had to show they were committed to supporting guests with autism and their families. One of the key requirements was that over 80% of the staff and leaders in each park completed specialized autism training in 2024. The parks had in-house trainers who worked hard to organize and run these important training programs. The commitment didn’t stop there – even new employees are required to go through the same training, ensuring that everyone at the parks is prepared.

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The parks also had to pass a thorough audit by IBCCES in late 2024. The audit helped assess how autism-friendly the attractions were and suggested improvements. Some of the suggestions included adding clearer signs, updating the theme parks' websites with useful information, and setting up quiet rooms. These changes are designed to help guests feel more comfortable, especially those visiting with autistic family members. The goal is to make it easier for everyone to enjoy the parks, no matter their needs.

The Certified Autism Center designation is only given to organizations that complete specialized training and certification focused on autism and sensory awareness. This training helps staff understand and meet the unique needs of autistic visitors.

Timothy Sau Kin Ng, Senior Vice President of Operations for Miral Experiences, said: "At Miral Experiences, we are committed to creating fun and inclusive experiences for all of our guests. Earning the Certified Autism Center title at our attractions is a big step in our efforts to make sure we understand and support the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. This certification is important to us as we continue to improve accessibility for everyone who comes to our parks."

Myron Pincomb, the Board Chairman of IBCCES, added: “We are proud to work with Miral Experiences to bring more accessibility to some of Abu Dhabi’s most well-known attractions. By earning the Certified Autism Center designation, Miral Experiences is taking a major step toward making sure that autistic individuals and their families feel welcome, understood, and supported when visiting these world-class theme parks. This is part of a larger movement towards making travel and entertainment experiences more inclusive for everyone."

To make it easier for people to find these certified attractions, the five Miral Experiences theme parks are also listed on the IBCCES Accessibility App. This app is free to download and provides information on the attractions, including their locations, services, contact details, and hours of operation. The app is a great resource for individuals with disabilities, helping them find certified places and sensory-friendly spaces. It also connects users with accessibility resources and helps them navigate public areas more easily.

IBCCES has been a leader in autism training and certification for over 20 years, working with healthcare, education, and business professionals worldwide. As more families look for destinations that prioritize accessibility, IBCCES remains the only global organization providing this kind of specialized certification, led by experts and autistic self-advocates.

IBCCES also offers online tools like CertifiedAutismCenter.com and AutismTravel.com, which are free for families to use. These websites list certified locations and professionals, helping families find the best places that meet their needs. Each location listed has met the requirements for the Certified Autism Center designation.