Room for change

Tourism Ministry makes it mandatory for all hotels to have at least one room for the disabled before the Commonwealth Games begin

The Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi from October 3, 2010, have turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the disabled.

In a move to attract tourists for the 12-day event, the Tourism Ministry has made it mandatory for all hotels in India to have at least one room for disabled guests.

It has instructed one to five-star hotels to incorporate all guidelines under the ministry's Hotel Classification System by September 1, 2010.
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The hotels must also have facilities like ramps and anti-slip floors in at least one restaurant and at least one unisex restroom wheelchair accessible with low height urinals.



More demand

Hoteliers say demand for specially-designed rooms for the disabled has increased.

"We are now meeting international standards. If all hotels provide such facilities, it will work wonders," said R S Bedi, owner, Diplomat Hotel, Fort.

"Such rooms have become a necessity, as not all guests can afford to stay in a five-star hotel," explained Zubin S Songadwala, general manager, ITC, Grand Central, Parel.

It won the National Award in 2007-2008 from the Ministry of Tourism as the best hotel that provides facilities for the physically challenged.

"I am happy that all hotels will have rooms for people like us. Most lower grade hotels don't have such facilities," said Divya Arora (30), a theatre artist who is differently-abled.

Vasant Hegde, general secretary, National Federation of the Blind, Maharashtra, said, "The initiative will help blind people become independent and enjoy their stay."

But not everyone is happy. "The government should give us adequate time. It is not feasible for hotels to provide the rooms at such a short notice due to lack of space.
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The guidelines should have been applicable for upcoming projects with concession to the old ones," said S P Jain, president, Hotel and Restaurant Association-Western India.

He added that the association has requested the ministry to rework the guidelines.

Room Facilities

Minimum door width 1 metre Furniture, peepholes , cloth hangers at low height, Audible and visible (blinking light) and alarm system

Sidebar:
Guidelines by the Tourism Ministry for:

Washroom: Bathroom must have a sliding door and must be accessible by wheelchair

No bathtub Low wash basin Low height toilet Grab bars

Public restroom to be unisex - wheelchair accessible with low height urinal. (To be introduced in 1,2 and 3 star categories)

Entrance:
Ramps with anti-slip floors at the entrance (to be provided in all public areas)
Free accessibility in all public areas or at least one restaurant in 5 star and 5 star deluxe hotels
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Do you know?
The Diplomat Hotel in Fort, J W Marriott at Juhu, Renaissance Hotel in Powai and ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton at Andheri and Parel already have rooms for disabled people.