ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Castillo De San Marcos hit a major milestone, becoming the first national park to earn the Certified Autism Center designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). As part of the certification process, park staff completed specialized training on best practices for assisting visitors of all abilities.
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“Park staff are committed to the National Park Service’s vision to provide amazing, meaningful experiences for everyone who visits these national treasures. This initial step helps us rise to the challenge of creating a fun, equitable, and accessible environment where visitors thrive,” said Superintendent Gordie Wilson.
Over the next year, the Castillo De San Marcos will further develop its programming using sensory guides, an on-site review from IBCCES and accessibility guides created for the public in summer 2024.
Several accessibility features are already in place at the park. The official website says all films shown contain captions, and braille versions of the park brochure and self-guided walking tour are available at the ticket booth. For the visually impaired, the app has audio descriptions of the park exhibits.
The designation is part of a wider county-level initiative. The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge to have the entire area recognized as a Certified Autism Designation.
There is a fee to visit the national park. A standard pass is $15, and an annual pass is $45. Children 15 and under can get in free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult.
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