URIHO opens inclusive restaurant in Zagreb

The institution for professional rehabilitation and employment for persons with disabilities URIHO in Zagreb on Tuesday opened its first inclusive restaurant in Croatia, and most employees will be persons with disabilities.

The restaurant, located opposite the Zagreb Bus Station, will initially be used for event management and in half a year it should be open to citizens, as well.

The restaurant will implement a programme for the activation of people with disabilities for professional development in the tourism and hospitality sector, co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund.

"By the end of the year, the restaurant should have about 50 employees, mostly persons with disabilities. At the restaurant, our institution and employees will be able to organise celebrations, and we will be happy to organise other events, such as welcoming Croatian Paralympians," said URIHO acting director Josip Držaić.

With the opening of an inclusive restaurant, URIHO enters the hospitality sector.

The restaurant is fully adapted for persons with disabilities -- both employees and guests. All areas allow unimpeded movement of persons in wheelchairs, and the restaurant is equipped with an induction loop that helps hearing-impaired persons to work.

"The government has strong will and policies with regard to encouraging the employment of persons with disabilities. According to data from the Croatian Employment Service, there are over 6,000 unemployed persons with disabilities. We hope that employers will realise that and include them in their institutions and companies," Labour Minister Marin Piletić said at the opening ceremony.

(Hina)

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