Wellington hotel a sign of things to come

Earlier this year CQ Hotels Wellington launched New Zealand’s first ever sign language restaurant –but this wasn’t a one-time stunt. The hospitality business is now being recognised for its ongoing commitment to inclusive employment.

CQ has been selected as a finalist in the ACC Employer Award category in the 2015 Attitude Awards. The national awards celebrate the excellence and achievements of Kiwis living with disabilities.

Olivier Lacoua, General Manager of CQ Hotels Wellington, says CQ has been involved with the local community since its inception as ‘The People’s Palace’ on Cuba St in 1907.

“We are particularly passionate about working with and supporting the local community and feel being socially responsible as a workplace is the right thing to do,” says Olivier.

CQ’s drive to diversify employment began about three years ago. Olivier recalls that in his native France businesses had to employ a person with a disability for every 20 employees. With this initiative in mind, he got in touch with Workbridge (an employment agency for people with disabilities).

CQ now employs five staff members who have various disabilities. Two deaf staff members were hired especially to assist with the launch of the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) menu and have stayed on in permanent positions.

“I think it’s so important that employers start looking at other avenues when hiring staff. Often some very good, skilled employees miss out because of a small disability which doesn’t reflect in their performance,” says Olivier.

CQ was the first hotel in New Zealand to train its employees in NZSL. Employees continue to receive sign language training through Deaf Aotearoa programmes and CQ senior managers regularly attend disability awareness workshops.

Olivier and his team are striving to lift the standard around accessibility for staff and customers and to create a best practice approach for the hospitality industry.

“If you don’t align your business plan and strategies with the ‘accessible community’ you are destined to alienate one quarter of the New Zealand population,” says Olivier.

He’s worked closely with Be.Accessible and Accessible Options NZ to increase accessibility across CQ’s premises, extending beyond the NZSL menu in the CQ Restaurant.

Features include vibrating and flashing emergency alarms, large number telephone keypads and computer keyboards, evac chairs and a mobility scooter available to guests free of charge. CQ has also developed six fully accessible hotel rooms at its Quality Hotel site, complementing the three rooms available at the Cuba St hotel.

At a sponsorship level, CQ supports Arts Access Aotearoa, Hutt Valley Disabled Resources Trust, TriAbility Triathlon and Cystic Fibrosis NZ.

CQ Hotels Wellington is a hospitality business that walks the talk when it comes to including people with disabilities and Olivier is calling on others to do the same.

“Focus on an employee’s attitude, not skill, as a priority and contribute to positive change here in New Zealand.”

Olivier and the CQ team will find out if they have won at a black-tie gala on World Disability Day, December 3 at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre.

There are eight categories in the 2015 Attitude Awards: Courage in Sport, Spirit of Attitude, Making a Difference, Artistic Achievement, Youth, Junior, the Attitude ACC Employer Award and Sport Performer of the Year. The overall winner of the Attitude ACC Supreme Award is selected from the category winners and a People’s Choice winner and Hall of Fame inductee are also announced on the night.

Attitude Awards Trustee Dan Buckingham, a member of the elite national wheelchair rugby team the Wheel Blacks, says: “It's always an exciting time here at Attitude as we find out who the finalists are and count down to the big night. The Awards reflect what Attitude is all about – sharing stories that prove people with disabilities can overcome adversity and achieve greatness, whether that be big or small.”

“We thank our fantastic family of sponsors who allow us to present the Attitude Awards year on year. Collectively we are changing people’s view of what is achievable when someone lives with a disability.”

Dan encourages everyone to visit AttitudeLive.com in early November to see short films of the finalists and to vote for the person most deserving of the ‘People’s Choice Award’.

The Attitude ACC Employer Award is sponsored by ACC. Other Sponsors supporting the Awards include: Westpac, Drake Medox, Ministry of Health, Barfoot & Thompson, IHC and the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust.

Chief Executive of ACC Scott Pickering says ACC is proud to be principal sponsor of the awards for the eighth year, including sponsorship of the Attitude ACC Employer Award and the Attitude ACC Supreme Award.

“The Attitude Awards shine a light on New Zealand’s unsung heroes. At ACC we’re delighted to support the Awards and to acknowledge New Zealanders who live life to the fullest, achieve their goals and provide role models to our community.”

For tickets to the Attitude Awards gala evening on December 3 contact Sue Wales-Earl at sue@attitudeawards.org or phone 09 378 1564.

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Watch previous Awards footage at www.AttitudeLive.com

ENDS

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