LOCAL HOTEL MAKES GOVERNOR’S HONOR ROLL FOR EMPLOYING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The Courtyard by Marriott in Springfield has been named as the recipient of the 2000 Governor’s Honor Roll for Employers of Persons with Disabilities Award.

Each year the Oregon Disabilities Commission and its co-sponsors honor companies that significantly contribute to the employment and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Currently, about 10-percent of the Courtyard by Marriott’s employees are persons with disabilities. Courtyard General Manager Patrick McShane says accommodating persons with disabilities is not difficult, but it does take some flexibility by the employer. For example, one housekeeper who maintains the public areas of the hotel works a shorter shift than the rest of the housekeeping staff, but he comes in a couple hours earlier than the rest of the crew as well. “He works from six to nine in the morning, and the rest of housekeeping doesn’t even start until 8 o’clock,” McShane says. “But, with his assignment in the public areas, he can get things spruced up long before our guests hit the lobby. He performs a valuable service.”

McShane says each employee with disabilities is provided a job coach by the vocational rehabilitation office. The job coaches work with the employees to ensure they are keeping their schedule, and that they understand and are able to perform the tasks to which they are assigned. “They are an essential link between the hotel management and the individual, and they make sure the needs of both are met,” McShane says. “Our housekeeping manager Theresa Gerdes also deserves much of the credit for the success of the program.”

Governor John Kitzhaber will present his Honor Roll awards on Tuesday, October 24th at 1:00 p.m. in the Rotunda of the State Capital in Salem. McShane and Gerdes will both attend to receive the award. The ceremony is open to the public, and will be followed by a reception.

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