Emirates has formally received official Certified Autism Center Designation plaques for all four of its check-in facilities in Dubai – namely, Emirates City Check-In & Travel Store in DIFC; Emirates Cruise Check-In at Port Rashid, Emirates Cruise Check-In at Dubai Harbour and Emirates City Check-In Ajman; as well as for the Emirates dedicated hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport.
The certification plaques were awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to acknowledge that Emirates facilities in Dubai have taken significant steps towards making travel more inclusive and accessible to neurodiverse customers, meeting criteria required for a comfortable and supported travel experience.
Presented by Myron Pincomb, CEO and Board Chairman of IBCCES; the plaques were formally received by Mohammed Mattar, Emirates DSVP Airport Services and his team, alongside representatives from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
As part of the designation, Emirates employees at the various facilities underwent specialised training on autism and sensory awareness, to equip them with the understanding and skills to address needs of autistic travellers or those with sensory sensitivities, along with their families. Comprehensive facilities audits were conducted across the locations, measuring all sensory inputs in public areas such as sound levels, lighting, and potential sights and smells to develop sensory guides, empowering travellers to make informed decisions and choose the environment that best suits their needs and preferences.
This achievement builds on the recent recognition of Dubai International Airport as the first international airport to earn the designation from IBCCES and aligns with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism’s (DET) vision of becoming the first Certified Autism Destination (CAD) in the Middle East.
