Empowering people with disabilities

Empowering people with disabilities

BY JOAN C.ISON CONTRIBUTOR

The “perfectly able" team (from left to right): Nihmahtollah Kamid (orthopedically, handicapped), Elmer Sibiran (club foot), Jan Michael Cristobal (deaf), Bronson Escalderon (deaf), Marie Cruz (deaf) together with Training Manager Nestor Meija

WHEN going to a five-star hotel like the famous Makati Shangri-La, people tend to dress up and look as elegant as theycan, Looking fancy or ready to do some business within the hotel's premises, guests are greeted with a lively smile and the warm hospitality of its staff. But far from a guests' knowledge, some of Shangri-La's staff who would greet them back could be deaf or has an orthopedic disability.

Employees who prefer to be called "people with disabilities" (PWDs) are hired by Shangri-La as part of their advocacy to create a more diverse workforce within the industry.

"Shangri -La believes that integrating PWDs among, our workforce will serve as an example for our colleagues to practice

The core values of respect, humility, sincerity. helpfulness and selfessness.. Towards PWDs," explained Nestor Mejia, the training manager for Shangri-La Makati. These values not only add to the hotel's unique character but also show that these are not people with disabilities, hut rather with abilities to share."

Shangri-La Makati partnered with various institutions such as De La Salle­-College of St, Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) and Leonard Cheshire Disability Philip­pine Foundation (LCDPF) to choose the first batch of PWDs to he integrated into the program. The applicants then under­ went a two-week training course before being evaluated and assigned to the department hest suited for them. Those who get hired earn the same compensa­tions as any Shangri-La employee.

The Shangri-La Hotel allows a total of 15 PWDs to he part of their workforce and has also opened the doors of its other five hotels to the employment of PWDs.

To help them cope up with the demands of working in such a people-oriented workplace, the hotel has established various training programs for both PWDs and their regular employees; The training focuses mainly on communication and interaction skills wilh deaf PWDs. Because most of the deaf PWDs. do not have an interpreter, their assigned departments develop various ways to communicate with them, either by computer chat applications, hand gestures and sign language.

Those who are hearing impaired also bring a cord with them to inform guests and make use a pen and papers to serve them.

Since most of the PWDs do not have a hospitality background, they were assigned to different departments based on their personality strengths and previous job histories but were not limited to areas where there is least guest interaction. Some were even assigned to the Concierge, Banquet Service and Human Resources departments.

Positive examples

Since the program began mid.2010, the hotel has received positive feedback from its regular employees. A lot of them said they leaned to be more open minded and patient, understanding, tolerant and loving because of their interactions with PWDs.

"I learned not to take the simplest things for granted. I am now more grateful for what I have and look less on the things that I don't have" quoting Annie Remo, a service leader from the Finance Department. While Joven Nalo, a service leader in Housekeeping says "Working with the deaf, I realizes that actions do speak louder than word. They may have disabilities but they are just as talented.” A lot of people have this misconception

that PWDs are helpless and are incapable of working. Despite their disabilities, however, II lot of them have become professional and can make" significant contributions to the society, if give the opportunity.

The PWDs interviewed all had interest­ing life stories to share and narrated how they turned their limitations into an instrument to make them stronger.

Bronson Escalderon is all in born deaf who graduated from SDEAS. His skill in graphic design allows him to make eye-catching concepts for the hotel makes him an efficient part of Human Resources department. His superiors even mentioned that they hardly make revisions to his work because of his creativity.

Despite having a "club foot" (a con­genital disorder in the legs), and being a single parent, Elmer Sibiran has not let his disability prevent him from being a doting father to his 7 -year-old child.

Coming from a poor family, life had always been a challenge for Ebner, who worked as a construction worker and endured the rigorous physical difficulties. When be learned about Shangri-La's program, he did not hesitate to apply and found work at the Stewarding department of hotel. With a higher salary (compared to his previous), he is now able to make ends and provide a better life for his family.

While some are born with their disabilities, Nihmahtolla “Tol” Kamid, a Muslim from the province of General Santos became orthopedic ally handi­capped due to a tragic incident he experienced ill 2007.

While on a remote field in his home-town, he was shot and left to die by a group of thugs. A miracle saved him when a Jeep has passed by that distant area right after the shooting and look him to the hospital. He suffered a massive injury in his right thigh which left him unable to walk. Without wanting to put the Burden in his family, he traveled to Manila alone to seek help from radio station to support him with his operation, He has received free hospitalization and other medical support which gave him the hope that there are still good people who really do wish to help. Harboring no hatred towards what happened to him, he has concentrated to be able to walk again with II help of crutches. He now supports his relatives through his work as a cashier for Makati Shangri-La.

'Employer of the Year'

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) national government agency concerning disability issues, has recently awarded Makati Shangri-La with the coveted 201 I Apolinario Mabini Award as “Employer of the Year" for being able to recognize individual PWDs and their contribution on a national scale.

The event which was conceptualized after the Sublime Paralytic Apolinario Mabini, is a national icon whose disability has not stopped him to become "The Brain of the (Philippine) Revolution."

Quoting Irish Playwright George Bernard Shaw, "People are always .

Nihmahtollah Kamld became orthopedically, handicapped because of a tragic incident he experienced in 2007

blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are The people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."

Bronson, Elmer and Tol are just few of the PWDs who have made a way to give. themselves a better future. Programs like this not only gives them the opportunity to support themselves and the people around them, but enhance their interaction and work skills in the different fields made available to them.The PWDs message is not to look al their disabilities but give them the opportunity to see what they can contribute.

The Sunday Times Magazine, August 7, 2011