OYO, a global leader in hospitality technology, has announced its commitment to fostering inclusivity by ensuring equitable access to quality accommodation for differently abled individuals in 2024. Central to this initiative is the promotion of wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, including features like ramps and wider doorways, as well as training staff to cater to the unique needs of differently abled guests at its partner hotels.
OYO partners with organisations supporting differently abled talent across India – Becomes accommodation partners of Khelo India Para Games, Para Kabaddi Impact Tournament and Divya Kala Mela
The company has already made significant strides towards this goal through recent partnerships with Khelo India Para Games and Divyang Kala Mela, providing specially designed and accessible accommodation for differently abled athletes across India.
As part of its ongoing collaboration with Divya Kala Mela, OYO is offering lodging to about 150 differently abled artisans and entrepreneurs participating in events all over India. In preparation for this, OYO has identified over 200 hotels in various cities, including Varanasi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna, Surat, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, and Shimla. These hotels were chosen based on specific criteria such as the availability of ramps and lifts.
Moreover, OYO recently joined hands with Khelo India Para Games 2023 in Delhi, providing accommodation for more than 1500 participants in 45 hotels throughout the city. As part of a broader partnership, OYO took on the role of an event management agency, handling catering and coordination for the games. The company also deployed dedicated teams working around the clock to offer assistance to all participants.
Varun Jain, Chief Operating Officer at OYO, shared his excitement about these initiatives, stating, “At OYO, we believe in creating a world where everyone feels welcome. Through our extensive network of hotels, we aim to foster a more inclusive environment for all guests, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to comfortable and convenient accommodations across India.”
In addition to these efforts, OYO is collaborating with organizations like the Wheeling Happiness Foundation to reach out to a larger group of differently-abled sportspersons. The company recently provided accommodation to participants of the national-level tournament ‘Para Kabaddi Impact 2023’ in Gurgaon.
Co-founder of Wheeling Happiness Foundation, Padma Shri Dr. Deepa Malik, expressed her support for the partnership, saying, “As an advocate for inclusivity in sports, I stand firmly behind the crucial need for accessible accommodations for athletes with disabilities. Our partnership with OYO creates a more inclusive and empowering sporting landscape, where every athlete can thrive using their unique skills.”
This collaboration represents a significant leap forward in promoting inclusivity in the hospitality sector. OYO’s efforts to prioritize the needs of differently abled guests underscore a broader commitment to diversity and accessibility, setting a new standard for the industry to follow.
