TARTA Paratransit Team Re-Certified As A Certified Autism Center™

A white and red paratransit van parked on a street near a sidewalk, with logos celebrating TARTA's 55 years and Certified Autism Center status.

City street with historic brick buildings, a public transit bus, a transit shuttle van, and highway direction signs.

Small white and red Paratransit shuttle bus parked on a street with trees and buildings in the background.

TARTA Move remains the only transit division in Ohio to have this designation from IBCCES.

Understanding the needs of specific passengers is such an important step in being able to serve this community, so I am very proud of our TARTA Move team for stepping up and renewing its commitment.”

— TARTA Deputy CEO Rick Bailey

TOLEDO, OH, UNITED STATES, April 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TARTA Move’s continued focus on fostering independence and community access for passengers recently took another step forward, as the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s (TARTA) paratransit division recently renewed its certification as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC). To renew the CAC designation, at least 80% of community-facing staff completed autism and sensory training to provide them with up-to-date knowledge of skills and best practices to best support all community members, including individuals with autism and sensory needs or sensitivities.

TARTA Move remains the only transit division in Ohio to have this designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). TARTA paratransit team members have undergone specific training courses to better understand and accommodate the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive passengers.

April is National Autism Acceptance Month. Studies conducted by Autism Speaks indicate that close to one-third of autistic individuals depend on public transportation in some form. In 2025, the Center for Disease Control & Prevention estimated that 1 in 31 children in the United States have Autism Spectrum Disorders.

“Understanding the needs of specific passengers is such an important step in being able to serve this community, so I am very proud of our TARTA Move team for stepping up and renewing its commitment,” said TARTA Deputy CEO Rick Bailey. “This is a team that continues to demonstrate extraordinary skill and compassion in serving riders who face mobility challenges, and a customer satisfaction rate in the high 90’s certainly reflects that.

“Anxiety and sensory-overload can induce stress for many paratransit clients. Adaptability, clear signage and expectation and consistency are key to lowering that stress level. As happy as we are to keep this designation, our team understands that our work isn’t done in this area, and that as the needs of our passengers evolve, it’s vital that we work to improve and evolve to meet those needs.”

TARTA’s initial certification as a Certified Autism Center™ was recognized with a Collaborative Excellence Award by the Ohio Public Transit Association in 2024.

“IBCCES is honored to continue its partnership with the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s (TARTA) paratransit division and renew its designation as a Certified Autism Center™,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “This certification is more than just an accolade; it’s a commitment to making public transportation more accessible and ensuring every person feels welcome in those spaces. We look forward to seeing the continued impact this certification will have on the Toledo community.”

For 25 years, 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, TARTA Move is 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 AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, which are free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met IBCCES certification requirements.

About TARTA Paratransit Operations
A trusted mobility source for northwest Ohio communities, businesses, and citizens since 1971, TARTA empowers people to connect. Covering over 300 square miles, we offer fixed-route, paratransit, and TARTA Flex on-demand services. TARTA Move paratransit services are available throughout most of Lucas County and Rossford, and every TARTA Flex on-demand and fixed-route vehicle is fully accessible.

About IBCCES
Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be industry leaders and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For 25 years, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 111 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.

In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare and workplace sectors.

IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.

Meredith Tekin
IBCCES
904-508-0135
marketing@ibcces.org
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