Dunblane hotel staff receives specialist training on offering for deaf guests

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Staff at a Dunblane hotel have been given specialist training to assist them with improving the experiences of guests living with hearing loss.

The training at the Dunblane Hydro hotel was offered by staff at the Forth Valley Sensory Centre, with the one-day course outlining how deafness affects people’s daily lives and the adjustments that can be made to make their stay more comfortable.

It also included a British Sign Language workshop to enable staff to welcome customers who have sensory loss and also practised working alongside interpreters.

The deaf awareness training, led by FVSC Volunteer Coordinator Hannah Wilson, involved helping them understand what it is like to be deaf, the differences between BSL and English, the barriers people face and what different words and terminologies mean.

Workers then had a chance to learn some basic BSL including finger spelling, the alphabet, and how to say their name.

Lucy McKinlay, a staff member from Dunblane Hydro, said: “This was a great way to build on the basic skills previously learned at the first session of awareness of the community and singular words, and to be able to create phrases specific to our business.

“The practice with the interpreter was extremely helpful as well, and I would recommend this addition. As well as being helpful, Hannah made it fun and interactive, and we were glad to have her back teaching us.”

It was the second time the hotel’s staff had received the FVSC training, with the charity hoping to continue the relationship in future years - with sensory awareness training available for those interested either at its centre or by visiting businesses.

Jacquie Winning MBE, chief executive of Forth Valley Sensory Centre, said: “We are delighted to have returned to Dunblane Hydro to support them to develop their skills and training so guests with hearing loss feel as comfortable as possible and enjoy their experience at the hotel.

“Awareness and understanding of sensory loss are some of the biggest challenges we face and training like this makes a huge difference.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Dunblane Hydro in the future to make things as inclusive and accessible as possible for their guests. We are always looking for new partners so any businesses who would benefit from this expert training are very welcome to get in touch.”

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