Room for All
The Inclusion in Hospitality Podcast
Welcome to Room for All – the podcast where we dive deep into the world of inclusive employment and explore the power of creating opportunities for people with disabilities.
Andrea Comastri, CEO and co-founder of Hotel Etico, Australia’s first not for profit social enterprise hotel and Saraya O’Connell, General Manager of Hotel Etico. will be your hosts as they talk about the importance of breaking down barriers in the workplace with a particular focus on hospitality and other customer facing roles, and how businesses can lead the charge toward inclusion.
At Hotel Etico, we believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed, and we’ve made it our mission to not only provide jobs but to build meaningful careers for people with disabilities. On this podcast, we’ll be sharing success stories, best practices, and inspiring conversations with industry leaders from the hospitality sector, disability sector, other social enterprises, philanthropy and of course our own trainees graduates and staff.
Whether you’re a business owner, an advocate for inclusion, or someone curious about the future of work, this podcast is for you.
So come and join us at Hotel Etico, or as we call it…the Hotel California for the heart. A place where once you have checked in…your heart will never never leave!”
So, let’s get started and open the doors for all.
Room for All
Room For All - S2 E23 - Live at the 2025 Social Enterprise Festival - Dr Cale Bain, UTS
Room for All: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Employment
Join hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell in this episode of 'Room for All' This episode features a conversation with Dr. Cale Bain of UTS Center for Social Justice and Inclusion, who discusses the importance of inclusive community engagement and the impact of UTS programs like Shopfront and Soul. The discussion delves into social impact, breaking down barriers, and the value of real-world experience for students. Tune in to hear inspiring stories, best practices, and expert insights that champion equitable employment and the future of work.
00:00 Introduction to Inclusive Employment
00:10 Meet the Hosts: Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell
00:48 Success Stories and Best Practices
01:52 Guest Introduction: Dr. Cale Bain
02:10 Role and Impact of UTS Programs
02:53 Student Engagement and Social Impact
03:46 Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education
04:20 Personal Background and Motivation
13:48 Future of UTS and Social Enterprise Programs
16:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
