Myrtle Beach and its 60 miles of beautiful coastline are well-known as a family-friendly vacation destination, but, in recent years, this stunning beach community has focused heavily on ensuring it is a destination for all types of family travelers. With the help of Champion Autism Network, Myrtle Beach has doubled down on its belief everyone deserves to enjoy themselves at the beach and has committed to that idea with its sensory-friendly pledge: The Beach is for EveryBODY.
Since first making the commitment to providing an autism- and sensory-friendly destination in 2016, the area has worked hard to provide safety, accessibility and inclusivity for all, earning itself a designation as an autism-friendly destination. Various programs and initiatives implemented on a regular basis have been chosen specifically with the goal of letting families who may otherwise avoid travel, especially to beach destinations, know the joy of seeing the ocean and experiencing the sand and the surf is attainable and enjoyable for everyone.
Champion Autism Network, founded in 2012 by Becky Large in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, works with local communities to educate and empower businesses to provide judgement-free interaction with customers and to create experiences designed to enhance the lives of those living with autism and their families.
To date, more than 150 businesses along Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand, a popular beachfront area with shops and restaurants, have earned CAN certification, demonstrating their commitment to providing every visitor a welcoming, inclusive and sensory-friendly beach experience.
The organization also established the Autism Travel Card, which visitors can wear to silently identify someone in their family is on the spectrum. This clues in employees of CAN-certified business so they can provide that family with a special expedited experience that helps eliminate things that may be triggers, such as loud noises or long wait times.
These small steps can make huge differences in the lives of families traveling with autism, and it is these huge differences that seem to be so important to Myrtle Beach. This community clearly cares and goes above and beyond to make sure families with autism or other hidden disabilities are able to benefit from the life-changing effects of travel.
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