Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre notches another first position

KUALA LUMPUR – The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s winning streak continues with receipt of the Kuala Lumpur Mayor Universal Access Award 2013 which acknowledges the facility’s building design as being accessible for all including the physically-challenged.

This comes on the back of another recent first that is, the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) inaugural rAWr (Recognising Award Winning Results) Awards 2013 for ‘Purpose Built Convention & Exhibition Centre Award for Excellence’ in the Business Events category.

The inaugural Kuala Lumpur Mayor Universal Access Award 2013 was initiated by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Hj Ahmad Phesal bin Hj Talib to recognise organisations and individuals for their continuing efforts towards safe and accessible development. The award also aims to enhance awareness among owners, developers and consultants (i.e. architects, town planners and those involved in the construction sector) of the need to be more conscious of potential obstructions at all levels of a development; from design conceptualisation through to construction and maintenance moving forward.

Accepting the award from the Mayor, the Centre’s Chairman, YBhg Datuk Haji Hashim Wahir said the Centre was honoured her commitment to accessibility for the physically-challenged has been recognised and congratulated the Mayor and Kuala Lumpur City Hall on this initiative. “This accolade not only cements the Centre’s standing as a world-class convention venue, it also underscores our commitment towards ensuring a user-friendly facility for everyone.”

Concurring, General Manager Datuk Peter Brokenshire shared that with seven physically-challenged team members on staff, “we understand the importance of having adequate disabled-friendly amenities to ensure a safe and comfortable working environment. Universal access is no longer a maybe but a must for any world-class facility and it is part of our social responsibility to ensure our venue is safe and as accessible as possible for all, be they guests or team members.”

In February 2012, the Centre launched a ‘Special Ambassadors Programme’ to provide employment and skills training for individuals with learning disabilities and to help them lead independent and normal lives. This is in line with local legislation (OKU KPWKL) which has set a guideline for the physically-challenged to account for at least 1% of total workforce in an organisation. The Centre’s seven Special Ambassadors in the culinary, sales & marketing and human resources departments currently translates to 2.2% of her 315 workforce.

The Centre is OSHAS 18001:2007 certified and is disabled-friendly and wheelchair accessible with platform lifts, ramp access points, automatic sliding doors, elevators, restrooms and parking bays throughout the facility. There are also wheelchairs available for use and a Medical Room located on Level 3 adjacent to the Business Centre.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews