Expanding Access Through Certified Autism Centers
Indianapolis Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) awarded the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation to five Indianapolis Public Library branches in January 2026. To earn the designation, staff completed autism and sensory training to strengthen their ability to welcome and assist autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors and their families. Branches also underwent onsite reviews by IBCCES to develop sensory guides and identify additional accessibility improvements.
To support these newly accredited spaces, The Library expanded its Neurodiversity Collection, which supports and celebrates the experiences of neurodivergent individuals through affirming, accurate, and inclusive materials for all ages. The collection emphasizes authenticity, intersectionality, and accessibility to ensure that the library provides a welcoming environment and collection.
Challenge/Opportunity
Fort Ben Branch became Indiana’s first Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) in June 2023. “When Fort Ben Branch became Indiana’s first Certified Autism Center™, we saw firsthand how impactful this training could be to our visitors,” said Gregory A. Hill, Sr., CEO, The Indianapolis Public Library. “That success sparked a strategic goal within our organization, inspiring staff at additional branches to deepen their understanding and expand their service.”
Autism prevalence is estimated at 1 in 31 Indiana residents, and approximately 1 in 63 Indiana students require autism-related support. To better support the 963,251 residents served by The Indianapolis Public Library, CAC certification was expanded to five additional branches. The expansion addressed barriers such as overstimulating environments and inconsistent staff knowledge while increasing access to trained staff, sensory supports, inclusive programming, and welcoming spaces for neurodiverse individuals and their families.
Key Elements of Innovation
Gregory A. Hill, Sr., CEO, shared “Now, with five more branches certified, we met our goal, underscoring our commitment to inclusion. The Indianapolis Public Library is a trusted destination for autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families.”
“IBCCES is proud to expand our partnership with The Indianapolis Public Library and welcome five additional branches as Certified Autism Centers™,” said Myron Pincomb, board chairman and CEO of IBCCES. “This expansion reflects a continued commitment to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces that truly welcome and serve every member of the community. By equipping library staff with specialized training and resources, these branches are strengthening their ability to support autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals and their families while also setting a powerful example for libraries nationwide. Together, we’re helping raise the standard for accessibility and inclusion across the industry.”
Achieved Outcomes
The branches supported over 200,000 visits since receiving their certification and a visit experience survey shows:
• 61% of respondents agreed that their experience was improved by the space’s consideration for sensory-sensitive needs
• 53% agreed that access to specially trained staff improved their experience
Trained and supported staff were a crucial element of these innovations. After 6 months 90% of certified staff recommended additional branches pursue certification and 84% expressed confidence in applying the knowledge gained from the certification training in their role.
One certified staff member reported, “People mention to us that they wanted to come to our branch specifically because they know it will be a welcoming place for them/their children. We've also had interns and volunteers be interested in our branch specifically either because they identify as neurodiverse or because they're interested in learning more about serving neurodiverse patrons.”
