MANILA, Philippines – A young adult with Down syndrome has an average IQ of 50 which is equivalent to the mental age of an 8-year-old child. While this holds true for most cases of Down syndrome, this can actually vary widely.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
Despite the difficulties it might entail, a hotel in Davao City launched an OJT program aimed to provide training to people with special needs, particularly those with Down syndrome.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
On November 13, GreenWindows Dormitel in Davao City posted photos of a number of young people who were identified as the hotel’s new OJTs. There was no description to the program but netizens quickly identified the hotel’s newest OJTs as young people with Down syndrome, something that is obvious in their looks.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
It turned out that the hotel’s program is part of the initiative by the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
GreenWindow’s Sales and Marketing Head, Pio Sto. Domingo, revealed that they accepted these young people in the OJT program after making a realization that “development comes with inclusion”; and by ‘inclusion’, it means that everyone is included – even those who might be considered by society as ‘different’.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
“People with down syndrome are welcoming. We felt the urge of providing opportunities for them to work by giving them trainings,” Sto. Domingo explained further.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
Just like other hotel OJTs, these batch of new trainees learned how to clean up the rooms and welcome guests at the hotel. They were even given tasks to be part of the team at the front desk.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. and the hotel hope that by sharing this OJT program, it could be a way of encouraging other companies to have a more inclusive workplace.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
“Let them feel the true essence of equality. Acceptance is a must,” netizen John Paul Hernandez commented.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
Some expressed concern about these young people’s welfare and well-being, though.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
“I would like to commend their effort ending the discrimination against Down Syndrome. But let’s be honest, it is a physical work. I myself experienced how gruesome it is to OJT at the hotel. I just hope that these fellas are in good healthy condition to be fit to work in that environment,” netizen Lukas Pascual wrote.
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| Photo credit: Facebook / GreenWindows Dormitel |
While these netizens’ fears were quite valid, many were still more impressed that the hotel accepted these young people with special needs as part of their OJT program.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
