Designing a hotel is no small feat. It’s about creating a space that not only looks beautiful but also provides guests with an unforgettable experience. However, amidst the excitement of creating a unique ambience, some crucial mistakes can often be overlooked.
Here is one vital mistake we have highlighted that should be avoided.
Forgetting about Accessibility
Yes, accessibility is very important when designing your hotel. Especially in a country where at least 25 million people live with some form of disability. Sadly, the reality shows that discrimination towards People With Disabilities occurs even to the elites.
Recently, the son of a former governor and current senator of Ogun State narrated a sad tale of how he was turned away at a fast-food outlet because of some strange policy barring wheelchairs from the premises. And even more outrageous was the fact that this outlet was situated in the Murtala Muhammed International Airport – one of the biggest hubs for travellers around the country.
Fun fact: There is an active law that prohibits any form of discrimination against Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria. This Act was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on 17th January 2019. What is noteworthy is that the Act provides a five-year transitional period for public buildings, structures, or automobiles to be modified to be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
Doing the math, this 5-year grace period elapses in 2024. Yes, it is NOW a criminal offence to set up an establishment that doesn’t conform to accessibility standards. The Act states that it is punishable by a fine of N100,000 for individuals and N1,000,000 for corporate bodies. There is also an option of a 6-month imprisonment, which can be triggered if your lawyers fumble like someone we all know. This shouldn’t be just about the legal angle – it is a human rights issue. The next level of the hospitality revolution requires inclusion.
Therefore, how can you design your hotel to be accessible? Provide the following:
- Barrier-free paths with wheelchair access.
- Elevators to all floors.
- Special parking areas.
- Wheelchair accessible rooms, bathrooms and toilets.
- Access to screen readers.
- Having trained staff that can help with accessibility issues.
If possible, seek input from PWDs on the design and development of products and/or accessible accommodations. These people are more than just a statistic; they are functional members of society.
Remember: Inclusion starts with you!