Hamilton County Tourism, Invest Hamilton County, and JANUS Developmental Services established a new partnership program with the support of the local hospitality industry and American Rescue Plan Act recovery funds provided by the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Council.
“Disadvantaged workers and the hospitality industry were both communities hit hard by the pandemic,” said Invest Hamilton County President & CEO Mike Thibideau. “This is a high-impact collaboration. Programs like this build community, provide economic opportunity and help fill important roles in our ecosystem.”
In December 2022, the first cohort began training people with disabilities at the Hampton Inn Fishers with great success. The individuals enlisted in the program provided pre-cleaning services to over 30 rooms in one day. Guests, employees, and hotel management provided positive feedback and multiple individuals are on the path to permanent part-time positions.
“This program is a win-win for these individuals who could thrive in a lodging community atmosphere, as well as the hotel managers in need of talent to provide the best in hospitality service,” said Hamilton County Tourism President/CEO Brenda Myers. “We appreciate our partners for their innovative thinking.”
Our Takeaway: Of the 10 individuals with Down syndrome that were trained, three are currently employed at the Hampton Inn Fishers. These employees have been placed in rotation to work the front desk, the kitchen and housekeeping. Additionally, Shepards Hotel in Clemson, South Carolina, which has 40 individuals with Down syndrome, representing nearly 40 percent of their total staff, and the Martigny Boutique Hotel in the Valais region of Switzerland, with 55% of their team members working with disabilities, have built a foundation on supporting people with intellectual disabilities. Given the incessant workforce shortage in hospitality, this may be a powerful new source of talent.
