IHG Boosts UK Disabled Access
DECEMBER 21, 2007. As part of its continuing commitment to enhancing accessibility for disabled guests, InterContinental Hotels Group has installed ceiling track hoists in two further UK hotels.
IHG is committed to providing great service and a welcoming environment to all its guests, recognising each one will have different requirements. The Group has therefore made adjustments, where required, to remove physical barriers within its UK hotels and consequently enhance accessibility for guests with disabilities.
These specialised facilities are now provided at Holiday Inn Birmingham M6, Jct. 7 and Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre. In May 2006, the Group introduced hoists at three of its prominent London properties; Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum, Holiday Inn London - Bloomsbury and Crowne Plaza London - Heathrow.
Christopher Rawstron, IHG's Vice President Operations UK and Ireland, said: "We are excited about our sustained development in this arena and feel confident that, as the only large hotel chain to offer ceiling track hoists in a number of its hotels, we are now better positioned to welcome a wider range of disabled guests. Furthermore, the hoists are a point of difference which will undoubtedly attract more conference business, especially from those public sector organisations with a duty to promote disability equality."
Tom Reaney, Sales Director for the Prism Medical group, of which Westholme is a leading division, said: "Our group is delighted to be working in conjunction with such a prestigious organisation as IHG. The Prism group has been providing moving and handling solutions in the UK and North America for many years but to date access to the hospitality market has been very limited. IHG is one of the first big hotel chains to recognise the need to cater for people who may have mobility issues and are certainly leading the way in providing complete moving and handling solutions for these people in their hotels."
Sue Maynard Campbell MBE, Managing Director of Equal Ability CIC, said: "This astute decision by IHG means that not only can IHG now tap into an increased guest pool amongst disabled people and their families and wider circle, but they also have an increased customer base in relation to events because of the accessible facilities they can offer. In addition they are providing many disabled people with high support needs, opportunities to stay away from home that were not previously available."
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