UK’s hotels for blind to close
The Royal National Institute of the Blind is closing its two UK hotels because of lack of demand.
The Palm Court Hotel in Eastbourne has already shut and the Century Hotel in Blackpool closes next week. Both hotels were adapted specially to cater for blind and partially sighted people.
RNIB says it regrets the closure of the properties but says it is unavoidable as blind and partially sighted holidaymakers are increasingly choosing to holiday in mainstream hotels and abroad. Many are opting to go with operators specifically designed to cater for people with disabilities, such as Holidays For All.
For those that go with mainstream operators, a recent update to the Disability Discrimination Act, should make it easier. The amendment, passed last month, states that service providers and tour operators are now legally bound to take reasonable steps to make premises accessible to people with disabilities.
RNIB has teamed up with ABTA to help operators and agents get up to speed on their responsibilities towards people with disabilities, and VisitBritain has developed the National Accessible Scheme to help hoteliers.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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