Accor adds rooms for blind and deaf guests

Room facilities such as alarm clocks have been modified for the hard of hearing

Accor has modified eight rooms at its Mercure Hobart hotel to cater for guests with a hearing or vision impairments.

In partnership with Hearing Link Tasmania, The Tasmanian Deaf Society and Royal Guide Dogs Tasmania, the property has rolled out a range of new facilities, including an alarm clocks with strobe lights and under pillow vibrating pads, which are responsive to the hotel’s fire alarm, as well as independent room door bells and telephone units for the deaf or hard of hearing.

Large dial button and display screen telephones, touch reactive alarm clocks, increased room lighting, audio versions of the room directory, room service menus and emergency and evacuation information have been introduced for the blind or visually impaired. In-room stationary and door signage have also been produced in Braille.

“Just as we cater to the requirements of business travellers, we’ve realised the need to adapt our services for those living and travelling with a disability. We recognise that having a disability means more than just mobility – hence we updated our public areas services and adapted a number of accommodation rooms to cater to the needs of travellers with a hearing loss or vision impairment.” said the Mercure Hobart’s GM, Adrian Sampson.

The Mercure’s public areas and front desk services have also added new features, such as ‘hearing loop’, tactile flooring and Braille touch surfaces. Menus in the hotel’s restaurant, bar and lounge are also available in Braille or audio formats, and all hotel staff have been trained in disability awareness and basic sign language.

By Mark Elliott, 9 July 2012, Monday 1:10 AM