Beaches Resorts Expands Autism-Friendly Programming
Beaches Resorts is focused on truly being an all-inclusive family experience. The company offers many options for families with special needs. Recently, ahead of Autism Awareness Month, Beaches expanded its autism program with the release of all-new Sensory Guides.
The all-inclusive, family-friendly resort company has been home to the Caribbean’s first advanced autism-friendly kids camps and it completed the rigorous International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and Autism Certification. For its Kids Camps, Beaches employs staff that have the requisite knowledge, skills, temperament and expertise to cater to all children, including those with autism and other special needs.
Guests can also employ the services of a Beach Buddy. Buddies are available to be with children on a one-on-one basis for a few hours or for a whole stay at the resort. They can accompany kids to the Kids Camp, and spend time after hours with children in a sensory-friendly location.
The resort’s Sesame Street characters also are on hand to hang out and interact with guests and there is a new character for children to meet. The Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street welcomed Julia, a sweet and curious 4-year-old character with autism. As part of Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, guests can interact with Julia who is excited to welcome all children with activities including Amazing Art with Julia, a fun open-ended art activity that gives younger guests the chance to explore and experiment with a range of materials to create unique art projects.
Further amping up its sensory-friendly options, guests can take advantage of Sensory Guides. These guides were developed by the IBCCES and are designed to help caregivers and guests with cognitive disabilities navigate the on-resort experience based on specific sensory sensitivities. The Sensory Guides are made up of extensive resort maps with public areas such as the resorts’ many pools, dining spaces and sports hubs rated on a scale of 1-10 for sensory stimulation.
“At Beaches Resorts, the word ‘inclusive’ has dual meanings–one speaks to our business model, and the other speaks to our mission,” said Joel Ryan, Group Manager Themed Entertainment and Children’s Activities, and a key player in the curation of the program’s offerings since its inception. “Our enduring commitment to do more in this very important space, and to do it better, has inspired many new programs across our resorts to create a vacation experience that’s safe and comfortable for all. This month, and year-round, we’re proud to see and hear from guests who, time and time again, trust to bring their families to a Beaches Resort.”
The program debuted ahead of Autism Acceptance Month, celebrated annually in the month of April. Beaches’ Sensory Guides complement the brand’s range of offerings and its mission to create an inclusive vacation experience for guests with cognitive disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Throughout the month of April, all resorts across the Beaches portfolio are offering daily sensory arts and crafts, as well as activities through the brand’s one-of-a-kind partnership with Sesame Street