Singapore: The Ascott Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SG Enable, an agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, to set new standards for accessible accommodation.
Ascott and SG Enable will jointly develop and deliver resources and disability inclusion training tailored for the hospitality industry at the Ascott Centre for Excellence (ACE), Ascott’s global hospitality training centre.
Key initiatives will centre around the five pillars of the MOU:
• Inclusive spaces – Ascott’s design and technical team will elevate the overall guest experience at its properties, drawing inspiration from SG Enable’s Design for Inclusive Spaces playbook. By the end of 2024, Ascott will formalise refurbishment plans for at least one property in Singapore to implement new accessibility features.
• Inclusive programmes – Ascott will curate a series of programmes that cater to persons with disabilities, with the first inclusive programme currently on track to be rolled out in Singapore this year. SG Enable will also put forward partners to provide Ascott with opportunities to promote disability inclusion.
• Inclusive digital interfaces – Ascott will enhance the design of its website to simplify the user experience and improve accessibility features. The accessibility information of Ascott’s properties in Singapore has been curated to display prominently throughout the online booking journey. Properties worldwide will be similarly enhanced to include accessibility information by year-end.
• Inclusive hiring – Ascott has signed the President’s Challenge Enabling Employment Pledge, and plans are underway to increase the number of persons with disabilities hired across the properties in Singapore, redesigning job scopes and workspaces where necessary.
• Inclusive training – Together with SG Enable, Ascott will also co-develop a series of hospitality-specific disability inclusion training courses to be delivered at ACE. To date, 50 associates based in Singapore have attended disability awareness and disability management training conducted by SG Enable, with plans to have all associates based in Ascott’s properties in Singapore complete similar training by 2026.
The insights gained from the joint initiatives will be used to develop a global playbook in 2025 to steer the disability inclusion efforts of Ascott’s properties around the world.
Beh Siew Kim, chief financial and sustainability officer – lodging, CapitaLand Investment and managing director – Japan and Korea, Ascott, said: “Marking 40 remarkable years in hospitality service, Ascott has embarked on a transformative journey to go ‘unlimited’ for our guests and associates.
“To create ‘unlimited good’ as a positive changemaker, we are deepening our commitment to championing inclusivity under our Ascott CARES sustainability framework. As a leading global hospitality company headquartered in Singapore, our vision is to strengthen Ascott’s culture of care and respect by cultivating a more inclusive operating environment for both guests and associates. We are thus delighted to find a like-minded partner in SG Enable to jointly establish new standards for accessibility in the hospitality sector and positively impact the future of travel. This MOU will mark an integral step towards our goal of scaling up Ascott’s disability inclusion efforts globally.”
Ku Geok Boon, chief executive officer, SG Enable, added: “We are thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking partnership with Ascott. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our journey of championing disability inclusion and accessibility. The MOU marks the first of its scale in the hospitality sector, and we look forward to creating inclusive spaces, building inclusive capabilities, and fostering a culture of respect and empowerment for all. Together, we can pave the way for a more accessible and inclusive future, in Singapore and beyond.”
