Ever dreamed of a vacation where everyone truly feels welcome? The Laurel Highlands is making it a reality! They’re partnering with the Autism Travel Club to create an incredibly inclusive destination, training businesses and first responders alike. Imagine a place designed for every traveler. Isn’t it time all destinations followed suit?
The picturesque Laurel Highlands region of southwestern Pennsylvania is rapidly emerging as a pioneering leader in creating a truly welcoming environment for all visitors. Moving beyond traditional tourism offerings, GO Laurel Highlands, the official tourism promotion group for Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties, has forged a significant partnership with the Autism Travel Club. This collaboration is dedicated to establishing the region as an exemplary inclusive destination, setting new standards for autism-friendly tourism and accessibility.
At the heart of this transformative initiative is a comprehensive strategy to ensure individuals with autism and their families can fully enjoy their travel experiences within the Laurel Highlands travel landscape. The ambitious goal is twofold: to empower local tourism businesses with the necessary tools for supporting the autism community and to equip first responders with specialized training. These efforts collectively aim to foster an environment built on trust, enhanced safety, and a profound sense of belonging for every individual visiting the area.
A cornerstone event in this endeavor is the Autism Awareness Discovery Day, meticulously scheduled for September 10, 2025, at the renowned Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Pennsylvania. This event is specifically tailored for tourism and hospitality professionals, offering invaluable insights into enhancing their services and making their establishments more accessible to individuals on the autism spectrum. It represents a critical step in advancing tourism accessibility across the region.
From 10 a.m. to noon, the free program will feature compelling presentations on the multifaceted benefits of autism inclusion, underscoring how understanding and accommodating autism can significantly broaden a business’s customer base and increase visitation. Participants will also embark on an enlightening tour of Seven Springs’ expertly designed sensory-friendly areas, which are crafted to provide calm and comfort for those with sensory sensitivities. A subsequent networking lunch will facilitate the exchange of best practices, further solidifying the region’s commitment to becoming an inclusive destination.
The imperative for such initiatives is underscored by compelling statistics; autism currently affects 1 in 36 children in the U.S. alone, highlighting a substantial and growing market for autism-friendly tourism services. By providing this specialized training, GO Laurel Highlands aims to equip local businesses with the expertise and confidence required to cater effectively to this underserved demographic, thereby creating a more inclusive atmosphere that benefits both visitors and the local economy within Pennsylvania tourism.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, the Laurel Highlands region is also heavily invested in crucial first responder training, an essential component of its overarching inclusivity strategy. Slated for September 9 and 10, 2025, in Markleysburg and Somerset, Pennsylvania, these intensive sessions will educate emergency personnel—including police, firefighters, EMS, park rangers, and dispatchers—on optimal engagement with individuals on the autism spectrum during critical emergency situations.
Expertly led by Becky Large, CEO of the Autism Travel Club, this specialized program furnishes first responders with practical tools designed to significantly improve communication and de-escalation techniques when interacting with autistic individuals. The training, available for a subsidized fee of just $10 per person thanks to a GO Laurel Highlands grant, will enhance the ability of emergency services to respond to crises with both profound compassion and professionalism, ultimately reducing misunderstandings and distress. Completing this program provides invaluable certification, signifying readiness to support the autism community effectively.
These concerted efforts by GO Laurel Highlands and the Autism Travel Club mark the genesis of a pivotal movement in the region, positioning the Laurel Highlands as a beacon of inclusive travel. Through sustained partnerships and an unwavering focus on comprehensive tourism accessibility, the region aspires to lead by example, inspiring other destinations across the country to embrace similar transformative initiatives. The ultimate vision is a community where all visitors, regardless of ability, feel profoundly welcome, safe, and genuinely supported, fostering a thriving Laurel Highlands travel experience for everyone.
