How to welcome guests with vision impairments to your hotel.
The easing of lockdown has come as a major boost to the hotel sector, which is now able to welcome guests back to their venues. There are a number of simple steps for a hotel to take to ensure that guests with vision impairments receive the same high-quality guest experience as everyone else, particularly if they are travelling alone. This can be a key element of your training in your bid to become Disability Confident.
10 steps for hotels to support vision impaired guests.
- Ask your guest what his or her needs are and explain the services on offer. Remember to speak to your guest directly and not to the person accompanying them if relevant.
- Give your guest a tour of the facilities; don’t just explain what they are. Make sure that you include the emergency exits.
- If the guest has an assistance dog remember not to treat it like a pet.
- Make sure that your restaurant has menus in accessible formats and explain the layout.
- Offer to organise for food to be brought to the guest’s table if you run a buffet service.
- Most hotel guests who are visually impaired can use any room. However, offer the guest braille floor and emergency plans.
- Make sure that you have identified room based refreshments and explain how they work.
- It is important to have no obstacles near doorways, in hall ways and near the stairs or elevators.
- Work with your local authority to include tactile paving at the entrance to the hotel and key crossings in its grounds.
- Ensure that all relevant staff are aware of the guest’s needs so that there are not discrepancies in terms of the support that is offered.
My favourite place to stay
I have stayed in several hotels by myself and have had a range of guest experiences. The best one by far was the Casa Andina Premium Hotel in Cusco, Peru whilst preparing for the Inca Trail. Whilst the facilities and food were both excellent, it was the staff that made my stay so memorable. Their V.I. awareness was second to none and they were always quick to respond. Everyone’s approach was consistent and changes in personnel had no bearing on the quality of service I received. Interestingly, it was small details, such as the serving of breakfast/dinner on an appropriately sized plate, that helped ensure that my time at this hotel was unforgettable.