The UK’s national standards body has released new guidance designed to help hotels meet their obligations to disabled guests.
The British Standards Institution, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and VisitBritain jointly developed PAS 88 Guidance on accessibility of large hotel premises and hotel chains.
They say the guidance will help operators comply with part three of the Disability Discrimination Act, which says establishments have a duty to ensure their goods and services can be accessed by those with a disability.
Recommendations include the use of key cards rather than traditional keys, the embossing of hot and cold on taps to allow easy identification for the visually impaired, sound absorbing floor covering so as not to confuse visitors with a hearing impairments and the use of short pile carpet to minimise the risk of tripping and allowing smooth wheelchair travel.
By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh
