An Irish mum-of-three is making huge strides for inclusivity, with a new initiative that supports children with additional needs and their families.
Rhona Cullinan has just launched the Very Special Person (VSP) programme with the aim of making hospitality spaces more accessible and inviting for families navigating life with additional needs.
If anyone understands the need to make dining spaces more inclusive, it's Rhona.
As a mum to three children with additional needs, she has experienced first-hand the challenges faced by families while dining out and when travelling.
Her goal with the VSP programme is to encourage restaurants, cafés and other hospitality spaces to consider guests with additional needs in a more conscious way.
That includes educating staff on the characteristics of disabilities and training them in effective interaction techniques.
Rhona is also hoping to inspire businesses to adopt new practices and motivate the industry to make inclusivity the standard and not the exception.
Day-to-day features of the VSP include introducing picture menus and implementing flexible ordering, such as mix-and-match meals and familiar food options.
It would also include the introduction of priority table reservations to minimise wait times for families who might be overwhelmed by crowds, and introducing basic sign language posters to help with non-verbal guests.
Other sensory-friendly adjustments could be to remove garnishes, ensuring the foods don't overlap and using large plates to reduce sensory overload for guests.
'I see their abilities, not their disabilities,' she says.
'They are equal, deserving of the same opportunities and respect as everyone else.'
'The world must change not for them to fit in but for us to create a space where everyone belongs.'
Leading the way with VSP is Harry's Italian Restaurant in Terenure, which has just signed up for the programme with the owner saying: 'We believe hospitality should be for everyone.
'The VSP Programme reminds us that a little empathy goes a long way. '
Rhona is now calling on other hospitality venues around the country to join them. To find out more about the VSP Programme visit byrhonax.com and follow new developments at : @vspbyrhonax
