Tolleson renews autism center certification

The City of Tolleson has renewed its Certified Autism Center designation through IBCCES after most community-facing staff completed autism and sensory training. The renewal underscores the city’s broader push to make public services, events, and facilities more accessible for autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors.

Why it matters: - The renewal signals that accessibility for autistic and sensory-sensitive people is now built into Tolleson’s city services, not treated as a one-time effort. - The certification affects how residents and visitors experience public-facing services, parks, events, and city meetings. - Tolleson’s approach could serve as a model for other cities looking to improve inclusion through staff training and facility changes.

What happened: - The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards renewed the City of Tolleson’s Certified Autism Center designation on June 25, 2026. - To keep the certification, at least 80% of community-facing city staff completed autism and sensory training. - City Manager Reyes Medrano Jr. called the renewal a meaningful milestone and said the city remains committed to welcoming and supporting every resident and visitor. - Deputy City Manager and Employee Resources Director Wendy Jackson said the IBCCES training has strengthened daily service across city departments.

The details: - All city employees complete annual autism and sensory awareness training. - Tolleson has expanded accessibility efforts across city services and events since first earning the Certified Autism Center designation. - The city gives interview questions to applicants in advance as part of more inclusive hiring practices. - Tolleson’s Parks and Recreation Center includes a sensory room with books, blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and comfortable seating. - The Tolleson Library offers sensory guides, social stories, and other accessibility resources on its website. - The city’s website also lists sensory-support tools and accommodations. - A sensory inclusion page is available here: More information. - The city added a quiet room and sensory safe space at its Annual Tree Lighting Event. - Tolleson plans to keep adding sensory-friendly accommodations at future community events. - Sensory boxes are available in city meeting rooms. - The City of Tolleson is listed on the free IBCCES Accessibility App, which gives users real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. - IBCCES also operates AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com as free resources for families. - IBCCES says each organization listed on those sites has met certification requirements.

Between the lines: - The renewal shows Tolleson is moving beyond training alone and pairing certification with practical changes in hiring, recreation, libraries, meetings, and public events. - IBCCES is using city partnerships to broaden its network of certified destinations and make accessibility easier to find through digital tools. - Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman, said the city’s renewal shows accessibility is an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time achievement.

What’s next: - Tolleson plans to keep integrating sensory-friendly accommodations into future community events. - City staff will continue annual autism and sensory training to maintain the certification. - Residents and visitors can keep using IBCCES tools and city resources to find accessible options before they visit.

The bottom line: - Tolleson is turning autism certification into a broader accessibility strategy across city government, public spaces, and community events.