The award was received by one of the deaf staff members, Dale Holmes, Supervisor Food & Drink, and by Unathi Kave, Assistant Manager Human Resources, a sign language interpreter from the hotel.
The Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Newlands is the first hotel in South Africa to employ deaf employees across all departments. The property offers a great opportunity for deaf people, helping tackle both disability prejudice and accessibility. The deaf employees work in a wide variety of roles from transport to maintenance passing through housekeeping, security and reservation. The deaf employees had no prior experience when they were hired. The hotel has invested in their training and development to provide them with necessary skills needed for their new job in the hotel. Some of them have gone as far as setting a new level of service for the hearing staff.
Showcasing its commitment to community involvement and being a responsible business, the Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Newlands has partnered the Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA). The hotel has a huge emphasis on accessibility. It offers five wheelchair-friendly rooms and a series of ramps.
"Embracing diversity and inclusion is an important pillar of our promise, our company's employee value proposition. The team at Park Inn Cape Town has proven that the true strength of a business and community lies in differences, not in similarities. I am exceptionally proud to see our colleagues win this great recognition from The Guardian," adds Wolfgang M Neumann, President and CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group.
The Guardian Sustainable Business Awards showcases the people and projects that are helping business shine and achieve for people, planet and profit. The Diversity & Inclusion award recognises the organisation's ability to innovate and adapt through their support of different perspectives, experiences, cultures, genders, and age.
