Security guards sacked after refusing entry to woman with cerebral palsy
THE Marlborough Hotel has sacked security guards who refused entry to a woman with cerebral palsy on her 21st birthday.
Inner West
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THE Marlborough Hotel has sacked two security guards who refused entry to a woman with cerebral palsy on her 21st birthday after wrongly accusing her of being drunk.
Friends of the woman took to Facebook to vent their fury over the behaviour of the guards who allegedly mocked her as they they turned her away from the Newtown venue on Sunday.
A spokeswoman for hospitality giant Solotel, which owns the venue, said they were “incredibly disappointed” over the incident and had “offered our unreserved apology to the young woman, her friends and family”.
“We have acted immediately and the security guards in question will no longer work at any Solotel venue,” she said.
“In addition the security company we employ at the Marlborough Hotel will undergo anti-discrimination training for their staff.’
On the venue’s Facebook page, Liane Gorham described the guards’ behaviour as “disgraceful and discriminating”.
“She was belittled and laughed at. Shameful,” she wrote.
Andres Tang wrote that staff “made fun” of the woman and “insulted her”.
“How is that acceptable?” he wrote. “That’s not only disgraceful. It’s illegal. That ruined her night out; it was her birthday.
“I really do hope you do something about it, and let the public know what actions you’re taking. I’ve been reading through some of the comments on your page and it sounds as though your security staff haven’t had much training, let alone inclusivity training.”
A statement posted on the venue’s Facebook page on Tuesday stated: “We screwed up.
“Early Sunday morning we refused entry to a young lady as we believed she was intoxicated. “Reality was she had cerebral palsy. And it was her 21st birthday. And we ruined her night.
“We apologise to the young lady, her friends and family. Unreservedly. We apologise for the humiliation and distress that we have caused.
“We are committed to building awareness of this issue with our entire team through intensive anti-discrimination training.”
The mother of the woman told the Courier they did not want to speak to the media about the “traumatic event” and asked to remain anonymous.
“As you can imagine, this has been a very upsetting time for the family and (talking to media) would add to that.”
Her friend Anne Marie shed more light on the incident on Facebook, stating: “They where out for a 21st, yes they had consumed some alcohol but by no means were they intoxicated.
“She has cerebral palsy and has mobility issues.
“Surely your security guards have been taught that there are other ways to tell if a person is intoxicated other than the way someone walks.
IN OTHER NEWS:
“You have insulted and upset this young woman, she lives with this disability everyday, she just wanted to have a great night with her friends for her 21st and your pathetic security guards go and do that.”
She suggested staff read the Disability Act of 1992.
“My anger is beyond measurable at this point, I honestly find this disgusting that in today’s society you can be that narrow minded. Your lack of compassion, disregard for equality and inclusion for all is beyond belief. And to laugh at her while she walked away, you are the lowest form of life.”