In keeping with SM’s tradition of strengthening its commitment to customer service, particularly in addressing the needs of persons with disabilities, SM City Puerto Princesa held a seminar on Proper Handling of Customers with Special Needs in its cinema attended by mall employees, tenants, maintenance, and security personnel on January 24, 2019.
The purpose of the seminar is to educate and provide a safe environment, especially in a country where malling plays a big part in everyday life, and be well-equipped in providing better service to persons with disabilities (PWD).
Invited speakers include Mr. Genaro Manaay, the program manager of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) and Ms. Susan Miguel, social welfare officer from the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer.
Mr. Manaay touched topics on some of the legal rights of PWDs, which business frontliners must observe to avoid penalties and legal consequences.
Ms. Miguel, in her presentation, highlighted the approaches to understanding disability, learning about accessibility principles and standards, and interacting and empowering PWDs.
Both resource speakers also gave some mall related scenario to help frontiners in better assisting PWD mall patrons.
SM’s programmes for persons with disabilities and senior citizens across the country have earned it the reputation of having the most inclusive malls in the Philippines. All malls are designed to have dedicated areas and facilities for persons with disabilities, as well as security guards and personnel trained to respond to their specific needs.
SM Supermalls also organizes special movie screenings for the deaf and the blind in many of its malls, and free conferences on disaster preparation and benefit concerts were also given to persons with disabilities and senior citizens.