Accor Strengthens Commitment to Inclusive Employment on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Accor is marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by celebrating meaningful progress across its Disability Employment Initiative, created in partnership with the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) at Flinders University. This work sits firmly within Accor’s purpose: pioneering responsible hospitality and embracing heartfelt care for colleagues, guests and communities.

The Diversity Pathways project began with a pilot in South Australia and has grown steadily since launching formally in Melbourne earlier this year. It is now active across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, with 35 new Heartists with a cognitive disability joining Accor’s Pacific team.

Designed with CSI, the initiative builds disability awareness, confidence and capability at property level and focuses on creating sustainable, meaningful employment. Supported onboarding, collaboration with Disability Employment Services, customised roles and continuous feedback are central to the approach.

Accor’s Chief Operating Officer Pacific, Adrian Williams, said: “One in five Australians lives with a mental or physical disability. Creating equitable pathways into meaningful employment is one of the most powerful ways our industry can contribute to stronger, more inclusive communities. I love that this partnership with CSI is helping us rethink traditional recruitment approaches, build confidence within our teams, and create roles that celebrate people’s strengths. It is work that’s changing not just our hotels, but lives.”

Centre for Social Impact Research Fellow, Dr Jung Yoon, added by saying: “I am incredibly grateful to Accor for their passionate and genuine commitment to these initiatives. The collaboration with Accor Pacific truly opens a new pathway to fostering an inclusive workplace and culture by promoting learning about diversity and inclusion and by creating meaningful roles for people with cognitive disabilities. This project would not have been possible without the support of the Accor champions, who will now lead the next generation of champions.”

Accor’s inclusive employment efforts extend beyond this project. Their ongoing support for DV Collective has helped fund more than seventeen thousand safe nights this year for women and children escaping domestic and family violence. The Group also supported Australia’s first National Silly Sock Day on November 25 to raise awareness and funds for survivors.

Accor’s partnership with Community Corporate continues to create employer-led pathways for refugees and migrants, with more than two hundred people joining the Group through the programme, including seventy this year.

Together, these initiatives reflect a holistic approach to social impact and Accor’s commitment to ensuring everyone feels welcomed, valued and supported. As the Disability Employment Initiative expands across the Pacific, it continues to set a new benchmark for inclusive recruitment in hospitality.

Accor’s portfolio spans more than 400 hotels across the Pacific, from luxury to economy, across brands including Sofitel, MGallery, Pullman, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Novotel, Mercure, TRIBE, BreakFree, ibis, ibis Styles and Ennismore brands such as SO/, Mondrian and 25hours.