Creating Pathways to Skills, Confidence and Employment!

How can we make Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry more inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities?

The Nation Forum of Women with Disabilities (NFWD) has taken an important step towards answering this question through its project, “Inclusive Hospitality Pathways – Advancing Gender Equality for Young Women with Disabilities in Sri Lanka’s Hotel Industry.”

Implemented over five months, the project focused on equipping young persons with disabilities, particularly young women, with practical vocational skills, workplace readiness and greater confidence to pursue employment opportunities in the hospitality sector.

Key achievements include:

Practical training in housekeeping, pastry and bakery skills.

Life-skills development, communication and workplace readiness.

Engagement with hospitality employers to create inclusive employment opportunities.

Basic sign language training for hotel staff to break communication barriers and support Deaf employees.

With a target of 60 participants, the project went beyond technical training to promote dignity, equal participation, economic empowerment and disability-inclusive workplaces.

Because inclusion is not simply about providing skills. It is about creating opportunities, removing barriers and ensuring everyone has the chance to contribute.

Together, let’s build a hospitality industry where ability, not disability, defines opportunity.


Please read the full report below, for more details about the project and its achievements.

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