OYO, a global hospitality technology firm, has declared that one of its main areas in 2024 will be encouraging inclusion by focusing on providing fair access to excellent lodging for differently-abled persons. One of the most important components of OYO’s program is to encourage wheelchair-friendly infrastructure at its partner hotels, such as ramps, larger entrances, and personnel who are trained to recognize the requirements of differently abled clients.
The organization has already made significant efforts in this direction by collaborating with Khelo India Para Games and Divyang Kala Mela to offer specialized and accessible housing for differently abled players throughout India.
OYO is providing lodging for roughly 150 differently abled craftsmen and entrepreneurs who are taking part in the current Divya Kala Mela throughout India. OYO has selected over 200 hotels in various cities throughout India for these participants, including Varanasi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna, Surat, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, and Shimla. The mapping of hotels was done based on the authority’s specifications, such as ramp and lift capabilities.
The firm recently teamed with Khelo India Para Games 2023 in Delhi, providing lodging for over 1500 athletes in 45 hotels around the city. OYO was also in charge of the food and game coordination as part of a bigger relationship as an event management firm. OYO also provided round-the-clock support to all participants by deploying specialized staff working various hours.
OYO’s Chief Operating Officer, Varun Jain, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying, “At OYO, we believe in creating a world where everyone feels welcome. OYO seeks to provide a more accessible environment for all visitors via its broad hotel network, ensuring that those with disabilities have access to pleasant and convenient lodgings throughout India.”
OYO is also collaborating with organizations such as the Wheeling Happiness Foundation to reach a bigger number of differently abled athletes. It most recently provided lodging to competitors in the national level competition ‘Para Kabaddi Impact 2023’ in Gurgaon.
Padma Shri Dr Deepa Malik, Co-founder, of Wheeling Happiness Foundation, further on the collaboration, saying, “As an advocate for inclusivity in sports, I stand firmly behind the critical need for accessible accommodations for athletes with disabilities. Our collaboration with OYO fosters a more inclusive and inspiring athletic environment in which every athlete may prosper by using their abilities.“
This cooperation is an important step forward in encouraging inclusion in the hospitality industry. OYO’s efforts to prioritize the needs of differently abled guests are part of a larger commitment to diversity and accessibility, and they establish a precedent for the industry to follow.
