Deaf guests get better reception at Paramount Hotels thanks to Deafgard

The Paramount Group of Hotels operates twenty 4-star quality hotels across England Scotland and Wales, boasting luxury accommodation in beautiful settings.

Alerted to the special needs of deaf or hard of hearing guests who may be in danger of not hearing a fire alarm whilst asleep, the Paramount Group have recently purchased 38 Deafgards for use throughout their hotels.
Deafgard incorporates a wire-free, acoustically-triggered bedside unit that incorporates a high-intensity strobe and a connected vibrator pad, that when placed under the pillow, vibrates to wake the sleeper upon the fire alarm sounding. A flashing strobe and LCD provide visual indication that the fire alarm is sounding, allowing the individual to leave the building to a place of safety.
A spokesperson for the Group comments “Moveable, wire-free Deafgard’s unique advantage over competitor products is its cost-effectiveness and flexibility. When a deaf or hard of hearing guest checks into one of our hotels the Receptionist checks and shows the guest how to operate the Deafgard unit. The Deafgard unit accompanies the guest to his/her hotel room giving peace of mind should there be a fire emergency.”
The ''Deaf to Change'' survey of British hotels was commissioned by Fireco Ltd, manufacturers of Deafgard, to coincide with the 2nd anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
The survey reveals that, despite one in seven people in the UK being deaf or hard of hearing, some 80 percent of UK hotels make no provision for communicating with the deaf and hard of hearing, or safeguarding them against fire.
Deafgard assists in complying with elements of the DDA, and it is designed to respond to a fire alarm installed in conformity with the British Standard 5839