The next stop on Long Beach’s mission for inclusivity for all will benefit community members with autism and other developmental disorders.
Long Beach may soon become the first autism-certified city in Southern California, after council members unanimously directed City staff to report back on the feasibility of obtaining the credential.
“Our commitment to openness and accessibility to all is wide-ranging,” said councilmember Suzie Price, who co-authored the item with councilmember Stacy Mungo.
In order to become autism-certified, Long Beach will work with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to train City staff to comfortably and “positively” interact with individuals with autism.
At least 80% of public-facing staff must complete autism and sensory disorder sensitivity and awareness training.
“I don’t think a lot of folks realize the challenges these families face. It’s a community that deserves our attention, and we need to do all we can to extend dignity to those with developmental challenges.”
Councilmember Al Austin
Public-facing staff and management include healthcare, government, hospitality, education, tourism, corporate, small businesses and public safety workers. City staff will work with IBCCES to determine the number of individual businesses required to participate in order to receive certification, as it is unique to each city.
Councilmember Al Austin commended Price and Mungo for bringing the item forward, and said he is ready to “carry the torch” on assuring Long Beach becomes autism-certified after his colleagues complete their council terms later this month.
“I don’t think a lot of folks realize the challenges these families face,” Austin said. “It’s a community that deserves our attention, and we need to do all we can to extend dignity to those with developmental challenges.”
Cities that have received the certification include Mesa, Arizona; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Visalia, California.
Fifth district resident and worker with Play Long Beach, John Schultz thanked the council for exploring the certification and asked them to show their commitment by helping create an all-accessible playground in El Dorado Park West.
“There are community groups ready, willing and able to support our city to be the first [in Southern California] to be autism-certified,” Schultz said.
Play Long Beach hosts an annual event Autism Night Out, where families who have children with autism are invited to a restaurant buffet where staff and fellow patrons create a “safe and judgment-free zone.” The third annual night will be on Dec. 19 at Boathouse on the Bay.
