Malaysian cafe run by the deaf offers job opportunities and a sense of dignity

Unlike other cafes, RC Deaf Missions Cafe exclusively employs the deaf. Photos: THE STAR/Samuel Ong

When you step into the RC Deaf Missions Cafe in Petaling Jaya, don’t expect a chirpy “Welcome!” greeting or a staff calling out your order.

Its barista Mohammad Faizal Abdul Rasat, 40, is hearing-impaired and can only communicate using sign language.

If you can’t read sign language, don’t fret. The Melaka-born coffee aficionado is always equipped with a pen and paper to jot down what you want.

“Although I am deaf, I haven’t had any issues communicating with customers using hand gestures. People are always friendly and accommodating.

"They make it easier by pointing to the drink and food menu, and then I key in their order, ” gestures Faizal using sign language during an interview at the cafe recently.

Faizal (right) hopes to improve his life, one cup at a time.

Faizal is one of the four deaf staff who has been working at the cafe since it opened its doors in 2018.

In the cozy outlet, there are sign language alphabet T-shirts, handicrafts made by the hearing-impaired and brochures related to the disorder, indicating that it isn’t your typical neighbourhood cafe.

Cafe co-founder and director Agnes Peter put in a fair share of thought before setting up the place.

On the wall, she’s installed a TV, featuring a short video that teaches diners how to use sign language to order food and drinks. Everything is in place to ensure smoother communication between customers and staff.

“There’s also a light indicator at the front door and kitchen area. It flashes whenever a customer walks into the cafe.

"Additionally, mirrors are strategically placed at the cafe counter to alert our staff if someone is at the entrance, ” explains Agnes.

“Previously, we had menu papers where customers could tick down what they wanted, and it worked out well. But with our point of sales (POS) system in place, our staff can key in the orders swiftly.

“This up close and personal experience with the deaf is very enriching for many customers. Plus, it opens up creative opportunities on how the deaf can communicate with others, ” says Agnes, who is in her 40s.

(From left): Yohendran, Stanley Tang Wan Siew and Bhavanita have undergone basic culinary training to hone their skills.

The cafe isn’t big, and can only accommodate a few tables. It’s kept to a small setting to make it easier for the staff to handle customers.

Two administrators, who are also sign language interpreters, offer support to the deaf staff on busier days.

They help organise food delivery orders and assist their colleagues with hospital appointments or matters related to the Social Welfare Department and Perkeso (Social Security Organisation).

Deaf Awareness Week is celebrated from Sept 20-26. It focuses on promoting the positive aspects of deafness and raising awareness on the organisations that support the hearing-impaired.

And that is precisely Agnes’ objective with the RC Deaf Missions Cafe.

Agnes and her brother Mario are no strangers to helping the disadvantaged. They first started volunteering in outreach programmes for persons with disabilities – visually impaired, deaf and physically challenged – at Petaling Jaya’s Saint Francis Xavier Church in 1990.

In 2006, they set up RC Deaf Missions to provide training for the deaf and Malaysian sign language courses.

The siblings have also organised bake sales, selling cookies and snacks baked by the hearing-impaired.

Over the years, Agnes learned that the deaf have much potential but lacked employment opportunities. That inspired her to set up the cafe.

“I want them to earn an income and stand on their own feet. The four deaf staff are people whom I’ve groomed and worked with for many years, ” explains Agnes, who holds a full-time job as an executive assistant at a KL-based management consulting firm.

“With more awareness, I hope to enhance the deaf community’s livelihood, ” says Agnes.

Giving a voice to the deaf

Cafes with deaf employees aren’t something new in Malaysia. But what’s unique about this cafe is that its staff is involved in the planning and daily operations.

“I allow them to plan the menu and get them to help with product sourcing. They also list down ingredients or additional cutlery needed for the cafe.”

Cafe supervisor and cook Bhavanita Shanmugasundram, 55, takes pride in handling kitchen operations. She’s especially proud of creating the cafe’s menu, which includes sandwiches, pasta and Asian cuisine.

Now, she’s working closely with the cafe’s accounts manager Renik J. Fair to create a new menu solely for catering purposes.

She is confident items like nasi lemak pandan, butter prawns with rice, and tuna spring rolls will be a hit among her potential clientele.

“I’ve been researching on popular food items and coming up with new recipe ideas that could work well in our cafe. It requires a lot of effort, but I enjoy it.”

Above all, Bhavanita says the opportunity to co-manage the cafe speaks volumes of her ability to function like ordinary people.

“My family members and friends are proud that I’ve managed to secure a supervisory role in a cafe. And that means a lot to me.

"I’ve always been interested in cooking, and I’m pleased that I’ve finally found a career with job satisfaction, ” explains Bhavanita, who worked as an invoice clerk in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, before partnering with RC Deaf Missions in 2013 to sell cookies and cakes.

Yohendran, one of the staff at the cafe, making tasty roti jala.

To ensure consistency of service and be at par with their competitors, Agnes has enrolled her staff for barista, culinary and hospitality training courses in KL.

She firmly believes the cafe’s success should be based on her team’s management skills and talent, not pity.

“I don’t (discriminate against) the deaf due to a lack of education. Many of them are talented, and they can be groomed.

"With the right vocational training and employment courses, the deaf can handle several kinds of jobs, from administrative work, cooking to teaching, ” believes Agnes.

The training has certainly helped Faizal and his colleague, barista and cook Yohendran Kandasamy’s familiarity with different coffee brewing methods. They are constantly sourcing for new beverage ideas on social media.

With training, Faizal is now familiar with different coffee-brewing methods.

Faizal says: “I am happy to work at the cafe because my colleagues are also deaf and we work well as a team. There’s no bullying, and everyone respects each other. Hopefully, I will have a chance to operate my own cafe in the future.”

Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that people with disabilities have the right to work on an equal basis with others.

However, a news report in 2015 found that only 3,741 persons with disabilities held jobs in the public sector out of our country’s over one million civil servants.

Although Faizal has a certificate in graphic design from Johor Baru’s Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, he has struggled to gain employment.

“Not many companies want to hire deaf people. Often, we are the last group of people on many employers’ minds.

"Some companies offer menial jobs to the deaf, even though some of us are capable of taking on bigger roles, ” explains Faizal, who has worked as a cook and cleaner at a fastfood restaurant, and as a nasi lemak seller.

Agnes admits it has been a tough challenge to keep the business afloat, especially during the recovery movement control order. But she isn’t giving up.

“It is my calling to help the deaf. With more awareness, I hope to enhance their livelihood.

“Food connects people. I do hope people will swing by our cafe to have a meal and get to know the people who prepared it. Hopefully, this will help to encourage social inclusion and build that bridge of connection.”

Merchandise stitched by the deaf are also sold at the cafe.