Since 1992 the “International Day of Disabled Persons” takes place and also when up to this day a lot has changed, there still is a lot to do so that people with disabilities can take part equal in public life.

On this special day, we would like to introduce to you one of our partner hotels which serves as a model. Why? Because it is an inclusion-hotel. We are talking about the Green City Hotel Vauban in Freiburg /Breisgau in Germany.

When we secure the rights of people with disabilities, we move closer to achieving the central promise of the 2030 Agenda – to leave no one behind.

– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

Inclusion: a human right

Of course, inclusion does not refer exclusively to persons with disabilities. Since inclusion means that every person is integrated, despite his appearance, language or impediment, … Actually, quite simple. By the way, inclusion is a human right that is defined in the UN-Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and adopted by the United Nations in 2006. In the meantime, the convention was ratified by 132 states. On the United Nations webpage, you find more information about the convention and its goals.

Inclusion at the hotel – from the manager’s view

In Freiburg inclusion is put into practice at the Green City Hotel Vauban. The hotel was founded by the Freiburger Stadtbau GmbH and the union Freiburg social work Inc. Hotel manager Johannes Staub provides for the fact that everything runs smoothly. With Green City Hotel Vauban, he wants to show that people with impediments are successful also on the 1st job market – if they get a chance. Ten out of twenty employees of the hotel have an impediment. It is important according to Staub that the environment is structured and given a routine. In addition, employees with an impediment, are tried to be protected against stress situations. With these regulations, it works fine.

… and from employee’s view

An employee with restrictions tells us about a lot of wonderful encounters with guests. Another employee without impediment states that mostly the experiences are positive– and, for example, the reception employee with impediment is often praised in online reviews. By the way, a lot of guests at the beginning are not aware it is an inclusion-hotel but are then positively surprised, reports the employee. A specific feature at the Green City Hotel Vauban is the social contact with each other which always comes first even in stressful situations. A great approach which can be also applied to every other hotel, don’t you think?

Sustainability at the Green City Hotel Vauban

The aspect of being an inclusive hotel is not the only part that makes the hotel sustainable. At first sight, the special facade of the hotel will probably strike you. It is covered with greenery and the plants provide for a good temperature balance of the inside – in winter and summer. And on top, it is an eye-catcher. 🙂

However, not only regarding the architecture value was placed on sustainability: In the hotel kitchen, regional products from other integrational companies are used whenever possible, thus, for example, coffee from the inclusion company Kaffeewerk Zollernalb. The rooms are partly appropriate for wheelchairs, in the bath plastic is avoided and energy is sourced exclusively from renewable energy-carriers. You find further information about the sustainable initiatives of the hotel here.

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