This London café forbids you from telling waiters your order but asks you to follow a quirky rule instead

Awareness of the deaf community is still limited in our society. While most deaf individuals often struggle to communicate in cafes and restaurants, one cafe in London goes above and beyond to welcome the community with open arms and expressive gestures. On July 15, content creator Sam Bentley took a tour of the Dialogue Hub, showcasing the journey of Dialogue Express Cafe, which is run by deaf and hard-of-hearing staff.

Located in a newly renovated train carriage at Stratford Station, East London, the Dialogue Express Cafe is operated by the organization named Dialogue Hub, which is on a mission to spread more awareness and increase visibility for the deaf community. At this cafe, you must order in British Sign Language (BSL). Don't worry, they will teach you how to sign, too! According to the founder, Hakan Elbir, the customers are invited to interact with a touchscreen to learn how to order their drink or pastry of choice. The screen then shows various videos with BSL tutorials, which customers then sign to the barista at the counter.

Although the cafe provides hearing individuals a chance to learn BSL, the intent behind the cafe was to provide employment opportunities to the hearing disabled Londoners. Speaking to the BBC, Karissa, a trainee at Dialogue Express Cafe, expressed her gratitude towards the initiative, which connects the deaf community. "This opportunity is very exciting for me because it connects deaf people with the community.” For Elber, who founded the organization 12 years ago, it's a movement with a purpose. He started an initiative when he noticed disabled relatives being excluded from society. "At Dialogue Cafe, deaf people not only find a job, but also find a social life, friends, and friendships." The Dialogue Hub also offers a space for immersive sensory experiences in complete darkness, which is guided by blind tour leaders. This is one of the organization’s ways of cultivating an understanding of others’ perspectives. Additionally, the cafe also provides BSL classes to those who wish to explore sign language and not just take a sip of their coffee.

According to a study authored by Carrie Lou Bloom in 2023, significant employment disparities were faced by deaf individuals in the United States. As per the data, only 54% of deaf people are employed, compared to 70% of hearing individuals. However, 65% of individuals with hearing loss are employed in the United Kingdom, compared to 79% of those without long-term health issues or disabilities. White deaf individuals in the US have higher employment rates than Black and Native American deaf people, while Latine deaf individuals are employed at rates comparable to the overall population but earn less on average. In 2021, the median annual income for full-time deaf employees was $52,000, which is roughly 13-14% lower than that of their hearing counterparts. The report highlights the need for targeted interventions, inclusive policies, and equitable opportunities to bridge the employment gap and support meaningful workforce participation for the deaf community.

As for the Dialogue Cafe, it's open for all. This cafe is not just about coffee and food. It tells stories about inclusivity, giving us hope for a future where everyone is celebrated.

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