Starbucks Malaysia Opens Store Dedicated to Employing Hearing-Impaired Partners (Employees)

August 3, 2016

Starbucks Malaysia Opens Store Dedicated to Employing Hearing-Impaired Partners (Employees)

On July, 20, 2016, Starbucks Malaysia announced the opening of a store in Kuala Lumpur, dedicated to raising awareness about employing hearing-impaired people and to celebrating their contributions. Located in Bangsar Village II, a busy neighborhood shopping destination, the store is first-of-a-kind for Starbucks globally and demonstrates Starbucks latest commitment to building a company where everyone is welcome, with inclusion at its core.

“We are proud to support people with disabilities through work fulfillments to create a culture of empowerment and to bring new perspectives to the workplace, which ultimately makes us a better company,” said Mr. Sydney Quays, managing director, Starbucks Malaysia and Brunei. “We have a rich history of creating opportunities for underrepresented groups and our aim is to raise public awareness of the value people with disabilities bring to the workplace and to enrich the lives of many hearing-impaired individual.”

Starbucks worked in close partnership with The Society of Interpreters for the Deaf (S.I.D) to facilitate the hiring, training and coaching of hearing-impaired partners as they navigate the retail store environment and to teach Sign Language to hearing partners at the store. The company also is supporting a number of hearing partners at the company’s local Support Center to learn Malaysian Sign Language so they can communicate with and effectively train store partners and recruit new hearing-impaired partners on an ongoing basis.

“We are proud to be working with Starbucks to provide job opportunities for hearing-impaired people. Through Starbucks, they are trained and empowered to move forward in their careers which will give them a sense of pride and accomplishment in the long run.” said Mr. Alvin YM Wong, Chairman of the Society of Interpreters for the Deaf (SID), Selangor and Federal Territory, Malaysia.

The store currently employs 10 hearing-impaired partners, including a shift manager, and aims to increase employment of hearing-impaired people across the country over time.

“Since I joined Starbucks three years ago as a barista, my goal has been to become Starbucks Malaysia’s first hearing-impaired store manager and after my recent promotion to shift manager i’m well on way to achieving this dream,” explained Muhammad Aizad bin Ariffin (Aizad) from Starbucks Bangsar Village II. “It’s an incredible feeling to share my journey and help develop other hearing-impaired partners. My next goal is to deepen my coffee expertise by becoming Starbucks Malaysia’s first hearing-impaired Coffee Master.”

A uniquely uplifting Starbucks Experience

Inside the store, customers will be familiar with what they see and smell: the rich aroma of the finest Arabica coffee, served by partners in the iconic green aprons in a warm, bustling environment. But wile hearing-impaired partners engage with customers with the enthusiasm, passion and craft that they expect from Starbucks, they deliver the iconic Starbucks Experience in a uniquely uplifting way.

When customers go to order, they will notice something different, as the usual greeting and sound of baristas calling out beverage orders is replaced by sign language. Customers place orders using a simple menu card which they mark before passing it to the barista and hearing-impaired partners use handwritten notes to communicate with customers. Upon placing the order, each customer is given a number on the receipt and once the beverage has been prepared, the number is displayed on a screen telling them it’s ready.

Strengthening Communities Across Asia

Starbucks Malaysia has a proud history of employing under-presented groups in the workplace. This includes the launch of the Starbucks VIP Program last year to attract mature partners who are 55 years of age and above. As part of the program, Starbucks provides flexible work hours and other benefits for seniors. There are currently more than 10 VIP partners working in Starbucks Malaysia stores, the oldest being 73 years old.