If you have clients with kiddos who have cognitive disabilities, you need to look no further than Beaches Resorts for a vacation that’s specifically tailored to their needs. Not only are the brand’s resorts the first in the Caribbean to offer advanced autism-friendly kids camps, but Beaches Resorts is also the first all-inclusive brand in the world to complete the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and Autism Certification. And now, they’re taking their inclusivity options one step further by releasing the new Sensory Guides, developed by the IBCCES so your client and their littles can move about the resort based on their specific sensitivities.
“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 of themed entertainment and children’s activities, in a press statement. “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.”
Beaches Resorts and Autism Awareness
The new Beaches Resorts’ Sensory Guides are literal maps of the public areas—think pools, restaurants and sports areas—with ratings attached on a 1 to 10 scale of sensory stimulation.
April is Autism Awareness Month, so the guides are coming out just in time to help your clients make the most of their children’s vacation. During April, all resorts across the Beaches portfolio will also be offering daily sensory arts and crafts and other fun activities through their unique partnership with Sesame Street. Beach Buddies are also available—one-on-one accredited staff members that can join the family for any length of time (at an additional cost) so parents can take a little step back and enjoy their stay as well.
Note: Beaches Resorts has numerous programs in place that take specific requests and/or preferences into account, like a Culinary Concierge for meal and dietary restriction pre-planning, art activities for kids on the spectrum with Julia, Sesame Street’s 4-year-old character with autism, and the Island Routes Fast Track Arrival & Departure Service—for an additional fee, a professional airport agent will whisk your client and their family through immigration, customs and security to avoid any undue stress on the kids.
And there’s more: From Oct. 9-13, 2023, Beaches Ocho Rios will host its first-ever dedicated autism week. If your clients are loyalty members, cue them in on this unique event where there will be arts and crafts with Julia, fireside chats with autism experts, a private dinner and more—all accompanied by one dedicated Beaches Buddy per family.
For more information, visit beaches.com/all-inclusive/autism-friendly.
