Dr. Phillips Center Renews Certified Autism Center™ Designation

Dr. Phillips Center continues to raise the curtain on inclusive performing arts experiences.

ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, September 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) proudly announces the renewal of the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation for Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to creating accessible and inclusive performing arts experiences for all guests. Entering its seventh year of certification, the arts center continues to demonstrate its dedication to welcoming autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors through ongoing staff training and accessibility initiatives.

As a premier performing arts destination in downtown Orlando, the arts center features multiple performance spaces, including the acclaimed Steinmetz Hall, recognized by Architectural Digest among the 11 most beautiful theaters worldwide. To maintain the designation, at least 80% of guest-facing staff completed updated autism and sensory training to better understand and support autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and their families.

“At Dr. Phillips Center, we believe the arts should be accessible to everyone,” says Rubie Hernandez-Gano, VP of People & Culture at Dr. Phillips Center. “Earning and maintaining our Certified Autism Center™ designation reinforces our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment through ongoing education, staff training and thoughtful resources, ensuring every guest can experience the transformative power of the arts.”

“Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ has transformed the way our team approaches guest service,” says Zakiya Smith-Dore, Director of Guest Services at Dr. Phillips Center. “We feel even more empowered to engage with all individuals, better understand their unique needs and continue to commit to a positive guest experience that helps everyone feel welcome.”

IBCCES autism and accessibility training equips performing arts venues with the knowledge and tools to create more welcoming and inclusive experiences for every guest. By strengthening staff confidence, improving communication and proactively reducing barriers to participation, venues can help ensure more individuals and families feel comfortable attending performances while building stronger community connections and lasting guest loyalty.

“Since first earning the Certified Autism Center designation in 2019, Dr. Phillips Center has demonstrated that accessibility is not a one-time achievement, but an ongoing commitment to every guest who walks through its doors,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES CEO & board chairman. “Through its consecutive renewals, the arts center continues to set the standard for inclusive performing arts experiences, ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families can enjoy world-class performances in an environment where they feel welcomed, understood and supported.”

Dr. Phillips Center’s vision, Arts For Every Life^®, focuses on ensuring everyone can experience the arts. That commitment extends to creating spaces, performances and events that are welcoming and accessible to all, with a range of resources designed to meet diverse guest needs and trained team members equipped to assist throughout each experience.

Accessibility offerings span hearing, vision, mobility and sensory needs, with resources available to help guests feel comfortable and confident from the moment they arrive. Most recently, Dr. Phillips Center partnered with AdventHealth to introduce Quiet Rooms in Walt Disney Theater and Steinmetz Hall, providing dedicated spaces where guests can adjust the volume to a comfortable level while still experiencing the performance.

With a range of resources available, guests can find the support that best meets their individual needs. A full list of accessibility offerings and resources is available on Dr. Phillips Center’s accessibility page.

For 25 years, IBCCES has been a leader in providing autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification for professionals worldwide, including those in healthcare, education, public safety, travel and corporate sectors. As the only credentialing board offering these programs, IBCCES provides training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, along with long-term support, continuous learning, onsite reviews and renewal requirements to ensure continued growth and lasting impact.

To further support inclusivity efforts, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.

IBCCES also provides access to resources such as AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, which are free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the sites has met IBCCES certification requirements.

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About Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a private nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) in downtown Orlando, Florida. The arts center produces, presents and serves as home to regional, national and international works and co-presents Broadway in Orlando. The 698,312- square-foot venue to date has hosted 9,000+ performances and events, welcoming 6.2 million+ guests and contributing over $31.5 million to purpose and community since opening in November 2014. The arts center features renowned venues such as the Walt Disney Theater, Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, and the acclaimed Steinmetz Hall, recognized among Architectural Digest’s 11 most beautiful theaters worldwide. Judson’s Live, the new live music room, enhances the arts center alongside established venues such as the DeVos Family Room, Rooftop Terrace and Seneff Arts Plaza. Additionally, the AdventHealth School of Arts offers year-round performing arts education. For more information, visit drphillipscenter.org. Follow on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.

About IBCCES
Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be industry leaders and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For 25 years, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 125 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.

In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality, and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification, and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare, and workplace sectors.

IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.

Meredith Tekin
IBCCES
+1 904-508-0135
marketing@ibcces.org
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Written By: EIN Presswire