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August 25, 2006

Hilton Hotel Chain Recognized for Outstanding Support of Employees with Disabilities

Hilton Reservations and Customer Care receives Large Private Employer Honors during The Able Trust Ability Awards ceremonys

TAMPA– Widely known for the hospitality it provides guests worldwide, Hilton Reservations and Customer Care (HRCC) was recently honored in Tampa for the extraordinary hiring practices and accommodations it provides to people with disabilities. In the past six years, the company has hired eleven blind or visually impaired people to its workforce.

“Sometimes when a company hires a person with a disability, the company is challenged to be creative and a bit flexible in order to make the process successful,” said Rich Petras, who nominated the business for the award. “Some companies are unable or unwilling to take on this extra challenge, while others like HRCC not only accept the challenge, but enthusiastically did more than what is minimally required to ensure the success of hiring people with disabilities.”

The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor’s Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, recognized Hilton Reservations and Customer Care as the Large Private Employer of the Year at the 10th annual Ability Awards ceremony held in Tampa.

The Large Employer of the Year award recognizes businesses, consisting of 100 or more employees, with an exceptional record of disability friendly practices, including hiring persons with disabilities, making reasonable accommodations and demonstrating efforts beyond simple compliance with state or federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

“HRCC has shown an extraordinary commitment to creating a diverse workforce by not only recruiting employees with disabilities, but developing and implementing new tools to aid their success,” said Kristen Knapp, vice president of public relations for The Able Trust.

Petras, who works for the Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind, nominated HRCC for the based on the outstanding employment opportunities they have provided to people in their community with disabilities.

“HRCC has demonstrated excellence as a large employer by catering to those who are willing and able to work,” he wrote in his nomination form. According to Petras, the company has partnered with the Lighthouse to make modifications to existing training materials and has set up adaptive technology equipment to allow blind and visually impaired trainees to attend group classes with their co-workers.

HRCC staff also educates their employees about proper behavior towards guide dogs and employs unique techniques to raise awareness of the challenges that visually impaired people face on a daily basis.

In addition to innovative training approaches, HRCC has demonstrated its flexibility and focus on individual needs by adapting the work schedules of those employees that rely on public transportation to coincide with bus and train schedules.

“While many companies benefit from the employment of people with disabilities, HRCC’s innovative philosophies serve as models of positive inspiration to both the business and disability community,” said Knapp said.

The Able Trust annually recognizes outstanding achievement in four different categories. The award winners competed on a state level and were recognized for their efforts with a commendation from Governor Jeb Bush.

Contact: Heidi Otway, 850-681-3200, heidi@herrle.com

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