Starbucks will open a new store that operates by people with disabilities especially those who are deaf. It will be the first in the country with sign-language ability and will be open in Kunitachi, western Tokyo.
Twenty-five employees would operate the store and 19 of them being hearing impaired. Because of the Covid-19, the store will only serve takeout for the moment.
The first sign language store by Starbucks opened in Malaysia in 2016. The second store opened in the US near the Gallaudet University in Washington DC in 2018. Staffed only those fluent in American Sign language (ASL). Baristas wear aprons saying “Starbucks” in ASL where the rest have the pins that translate to “I Sign”.
Starbucks partnered with the Guangdong Deaf People Association for professional skills training and opened another Signing Store in Guangzhou, China.
The most recent before opened in Japan, Starbucks opened its fourth signing store in Penang Malaysia making it the second signing store in Malaysia.
Source: Econo Times
