On the 10th of July 2016, Starbucks Malaysia in collaboration with The Society of Interpreters for the Deaf (S.I.D.) opened a store in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to providing employment opportunities for deaf partners (employees). The store located in Bangsar Village II shopping mall is the first in the global coffee chain to carry out this recent initiative.
“We are proud to support people with disabilities through work fulfillment 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 more Deaf partners.”
Starbucks worked in close partnership with The Society of Interpreters for the Deaf (S.I.D.) to facilitate the hiring, training and coaching of Deaf partners as they navigate the retail store environment and to teach Sign Language to hearing partners at the store.
Recently being promoted to shift manager, Muhammad Aizad bin Ariffin has a dream shared his excitement as his recent advancement. “It’s an incredible feeling to share my journey and help develop other Deaf partners. My next goal is to deepen my coffee expertise by becoming Starbucks Malaysia’s first Deaf Coffee Master.”
The store currently has 10 employees, and aims to increase employment over time.
