Hampton Inn & Suites–Palm Desert Joins Community-Wide Initiative, Receives Autism Training to Best Welcome Visitors

By earning the CAC designation, Hampton Inn & Suites–Palm Desert advances Visit Greater Palm Springs' Certified Autism Destination™ initiative

Being IBCCES certified is essential for our hotel because it demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with autism and other sensory needs.”

— Cornelia Balmer, regional director of operations

PALM DESERT, CA, UNITED STATES, March 10, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) awards Hampton Inn & Suites–Palm Desert with the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation. To earn this credential, staff completed an autism-specific training and certification process to understand how to better communicate, assist, and welcome every guest that walks through their doors.

“Being IBCCES certified is essential for our hotel because it demonstrates

a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with autism and other sensory needs. It ensures that we create an environment where all guests feel valued and supported, ultimately leading to long-term business success,” says Cornelia Balmer, regional director of operations.

Hampton Inn & Suites–Palm Desert offers digital check-in through the Hilton Honors App, allowing guests to check in before arrival, select their room, and even use a digital key to access their room without stopping at the front desk. This ensures a seamless and stress-free arrival experience for every guest.

“We are excited to see Hampton Inn & Suites–Palm Desert join the growing network of Certified Autism Centers™ in the Greater Palm Springs Area,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “This certification is a testament to their commitment to creating a welcome and inclusive environment for every individual, especially autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and their families.”

By completing the CAC process, Hampton Inn & Suites–Palm Desert joins a wider movement initiated by Visit Greater Palms Springs, helping them achieve the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) designation. The CAD designation means visitors have multiple trained and certified options to choose from when in the area, including entertainment, recreation, and lodging.

For more than two decades, 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, Hampton Inn & Suites–Palm Desert will be 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 CertifiedAutismCenter.com and AutismTravel.com, free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.