5 Malaysian companies that hire the deaf

Starbucks Malaysia has been hiring deaf employees since 2012. Photo: Starbucks Malaysia

Job opportunities allow the deaf community to demonstrate their capabilities and earn a decent living. Here are five organisations that provide them that avenue:

1. YMCA KL

Since 1985, YMCA KL has hired countless deaf applicants to work as clerks, sign language instructors and pre-school teachers.

It has a department called Pusat Majudiri Y For The Deaf which offers programmes like pre-school education and training in Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia.

There are also parent support groups, activities and programme-based courses for deaf children and teenagers.

The department helps to train deaf staff and find suitable jobs for them based on their skills. For details, browse www.ymcakl.com.

At YMCA KL, the deaf undergo various training to hone their skills to better their chance at gaining employment. Photo: YMCA KL

2. Starbucks Malaysia

This popular coffee chain has been hiring deaf employees since 2012. Currently, there are 14 of these staff working at Starbucks signing stores in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur and Burmah Road, Penang.

There, its deaf partners work as baristas and also have the opportunity to further develop their skills through certifications from Starbucks’ coffee master programmes. At the stores, adjustments are made to cater to the special employees.

They include touchpoints, visual alarms and digital queueing system designed to meet the needs of the staff and customers. For details, visit www.starbucks.com.my.

A file photo of deaf KFC employee Lim Pei Ling (left) at an outlet in Sarawak communicating with customers. Photo: Filepic

3. KFC Malaysia

In 1986, KFC Malaysia opened its first community restaurant operated by speech and hearing-impaired staff.

The outlet was located at Jalan Imbi in Kuala Lumpur, before relocating to Jalan Ipoh and subsequently to its current location in Sentul Raya, KL.

Over the years, KFC has employed over 350 people with hearing and speech impairments. Two other outlets with deaf employees are located in Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu and Matang, Sarawak. For details, go to dinein.kfc.com.my/csr.

4. Allianz Malaysia

At present, 11 deaf employees are working at Allianz Malaysia. They are part of the administrative support team, attached to various departments including corporate communications, human resources and operations.

The company conducts job matching via written note interviews to make it convenient and straightforward for the deaf.

Allianz Malaysia has a total of 21 employees with special needs (blind, deaf and mute, autistic and wheelchair users).

Supervision, training, support, mobility and the appropriate facilities are crucial aspects that the company looks into in hiring persons with disabilities.

The company believes in providing each employee with sufficient support as this goes a long way in boosting their confidence and self-esteem. For details, visit www.allianz.com.my.

Deaf-In-Business aims to improve the livelihood of the deaf by providing skills and the possibility of entrepreneurship. Photo: Dr Allen Teh

5. Deaf In Business

DIB (Deaf-in-Business) Restaurant Cafe & Catering in Petaling Jaya was established in 2011 as a social enterprise, with an emphasis on employing the hearing-impaired. As of 2017, DIB has chosen to operate as a non-profit.

Dr Allen Teh founded the cafe to improve the livelihood of the deaf by providing skills and the possibility of entrepreneurship.

There, six deaf employees work as baristas, cooks, cashier and waiters. These individuals are trained in business management, leadership training and problem-solving skills. Visit: facebook.com/dibrestaurantcafe.