Hoteliers are becoming more aware of clients with special requirements and most major hotels and facilities in Nairobi can be counted on to accommodate visitors with disabilities.
PrideInn Managing Director, Mr. Hasnain Noorani has said that the hospitality industry must scale up the idea that facilitating the needs of a wider range of disabilities will help its bottom line.
“Many hotels boasts of wonderful location or luxurious lodgings, this is no longer enough to seal a booking at this age and time, hoteliers ought to ensure that needs of the disabled are well taken care of by making sure that there are available amenities meant to make them more comfortable,” said Mr. Hasnain.
Understanding the specific needs of guests with disabilities and providing appropriate support during their stay is key.
“PrideInn has endeavored to make sure that there are at least 5 rooms that are easily accessible by the physically challenged. At PrideInn Raphta in Nairobi, we have ensured that we have special rooms with special needs. This means rooms on the ground floor, with wider doorways, to the bedroom, bathrooms with grab rails, special toilets and handwash basins and other features that make the room disabled friendly” said Mr. Jackton Amutala, Nairobi Region General Manager for PrideInn Hotels.
When serving clients living with disabilities, it’s important to remember that every detail matters.
“Housekeeping staff should be aware that wheelchair-using guests often require extra towels and Food and Beverage (F&B) staff need to understand spacing between tables and the need to provide help with menus for guests who have visual or hearing disabilities,” said Mr. Jackton.
The rights of disabled people are enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution, and legislation requires that public buildings and other places be accessible to everyone.
According to the United Nations, 15 per cent of the world’s population – or about one billion people are living with a disability and, by 2020, this number is expected to rise to 1.2 billion, or about 20 per cent of the population, in part due to an ageing population.
