Access to hotels for people with hearing loss
The guidance document entitled ‘Access to Hotels for People with Hearing Loss’ written by architect Chris Harrowell and the Inclusive Hotels Network (IHN) has recently been updated. The document was first published in November 2016 and was recently updated in October 2017.
The guidance document was published as a result of meetings between hotel operators, access consultants, occupational therapists, product designers and other professionals to address the knowledge gap between the guidance in Approved Document M & BS 8300 which is aimed at construction industry professionals.
The document highlights important issues such as:
- The business case for providing inclusive hotel environments and how it makes sense and good accessibility benefits all guests;
- The Equality Act 2010 (UK) and how hoteliers are obliged to ensure employees and service users are not discriminated against under a number of grounds similar to our own Equal Status Act here in Ireland.
- The Customer Profile which describes the number of people affected by the large range of hearing impairments.
The document also makes a number of recommendations to be considered when designing inclusive hotels and facilities under three headings and examples of these are listed below:
Built Environment
- Enhanced acoustic absorption treatment to areas where communication takes place or where information is given, such as reception, shop till, bar, restaurant, meeting, conference and break-out areas.
- A choice of variable lighting arrangements in reception, restaurant, bar, conference and break out areas, so that lighting to individual desks, tables, sections of bar or break out areas can be raised or dimmed as required facilitate communication.
Technology
- Online booking system with a facility for guests to change arrangements if delayed.
- Ability to handle telephone calls using text and video relay services, with hotel staff trained in text and video relay protocol.
Management
- Accessible facilities publicised on the hotel website and in hotel literature.
- Ensure that important hotel information and guidance provided in guest rooms can be made available in alternative formats such as large print, Braille or on-screen (including Video Relay Interpreting) on request.
For further details on Access to hotels for people with hearing loss click here.
Alternatively, if you need further information on how to ensure your organisation can consider people with hearing loss , please do not hesitate to contact one of our team on 01-4151285 or e-mail [email protected].
