The Santa Barara Zoo's Accessibility and Inclusion Program is our Summer 2019 Special Needs Partner!
Santa Barbara Zoo is the first zoo on the West Coast to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC), which is a designation that demonstrates the Zoo’s commitment to ensuring guests and families with children who have autism have the best possible experience.
With this certification, guests can rest assured staff and the grounds are prepared to welcome everyone, regardless of their needs. The zoo recently implemented this training and certification program in partnership with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). For almost 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism training for licensed healthcare professionals and educators around the globe.
By eating at Kyle's Kitchen during Summer 2019, you will be supporting the work that the Santa Barbara Zoo is doing to support the autism community locally and keeping the SB Zoo accessible for everyone including:
Training and Certification for Santa Barbara Zoo staff through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards
Autism SAFARI Nights in partnership with UCSB Koegel Autism Center. Dinner, drinking and mingling for families navigating autism as well as a sensory playroom with fun interactives such as an outside water table, bounce house, and reading corner for children on the spectrum and siblings. Free childcare will also be provided.
Sensory backpacks offering items including noise-canceling headphones, a variety of sensory toys, and some unique scavenger hunts and tools to better navigate the Zoo
Education program support including training, differentiation of curriculum to fit all abilities and ages, and additional staffing for camps and programs to better support special needs guests
Inclusion tools such as quiet spaces, map, website, social narrative and other resources needed to improve the Zoo’s accessibility
