Close to people | Stories from Bethel
The dream job at the Bethel Hotel zum Weinberg
He normally picks up the phone quickly, but now Daniel Ibs lets the phone ring. After all, two guests who have just arrived are standing in front of him, and they have priority. As soon as he has handed them their room cards and provided them with all the important information about their stay, Daniel Ibs will call them back - as long as the next visitors are not already arriving. Things can get a little stressful at the reception desk of the "Bethel Hotel zum Weinberg". But that doesn't worry Daniel Ibs. "I've found my dream job here," he says.
The 41-year-old has been working at the inclusive hotel in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler since 1 December 2021 and is part of the founding team of the hotel, which opened in February 2022. At reception, he welcomes guests, takes care of check-in and check-out, files registration forms and processes enquiries and reservations on the phone and computer. "I really like the job because it's varied and I'm in contact with people," he says. "It suits me because I'm the communicative type."
The short journey by car from his home in the Bachem district to the hotel and back is another argument in favour of the new job for Daniel Ibs. "Before I worked in Bonn," he says, "I often had a stomach ache because of the car journeys: will there be traffic jams, will I arrive on time? Since I've been working here, I'm calmer and more relaxed." The trained office administrator is also happy with his new job because he feels he is in good hands with the team. "I have nice, helpful colleagues and I'm accepted," reports Daniel Ibs. "And if I have a question, I can turn to anyone."
This is of key importance to him because he is more dependent on support than others. Daniel Ibs has been in a wheelchair since childhood due to severe physical impairments that he was born with. The reception area is therefore tailored to his needs. For example, computers and printers have been reorganised to allow him easy access.
"Here, people with and without disabilities interact well and in a collegial manner."
Daniel Ibs and his workplace are just one of many examples of how inclusion works at the barrier-free "Bethel Hotel zum Weinberg". Employees with disabilities take up around 40 per cent of the jobs in the three-star hotel; for guests, six of the 72 rooms are designed to be wheelchair accessible and equipped with electric care beds. Three further rooms are designed for people with visual impairments and three for people with hearing impairments and offer assistive technologies such as light bells and visual fire alarms. There are also two family rooms and a room for people with autism.
"People with and without disabilities treat each other well and as colleagues here," says Daniel Ibs. "I hope that this is also the case outside the hotel. And that's why it would be good and important if there were more inclusive businesses like this and more inclusive accommodation options."
Text: Philipp Kreutzer | Photos: Christian Weische
This story simply told
Daniel Ibs has been in a wheelchair since childhood. He has a severe physical impairment. He works at reception in the "Bethel Hotel zum Weinberg". The hotel has employees with and without disabilities. Daniel Ibs feels very comfortable there and enjoys his work.
Would you like to find out more?
Bethel Hotel zum Weinberg
Hauptstraße 62
53474 Bad Neuenahr- Ahrweiler
The hotel is:
Inclusive: At least 40 per cent of employees are people with disabilities. This makes it a hotel with a special profile in the region.
Hospitable: Our hotel team works together to ensure that all guests feel at home here.
Accessibility is the guiding principle in the design of the hotel: for our guests as well as our employees.
