Inside the pioneering restaurant that employs differently-abled people
Deaf-in-Business (DIB) at Menara Gamuda isn’t your average restaurant. While you can still get your nasi goreng kampung and latte, it has one very unique difference from other cafés and restaurants in the building – 90% of its employees are differently-abled people, ranging from people with learning and development disabilities to autism and hearing impairment.
The restaurant is the brainchild of Dr Allen Teh. The former manager at the first deaf-operated KFC outlet incorporated in 1985 at Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, is not motivated by money. Instead, he is motivated by the difference he makes in differently-abled people’s lives. “I wanted to create a business where they can have the same opportunities as everyone else in the working world,” he said.
The community-business has a strong 10-member team of workers who ensure every customer leaves with a smile. For many of the employees, this is their first job. At DIB, the employees steadily move up the rank by specialising in five areas – floor duties, drink preparation, food preparation, cashier and finally, cooking duties.
Famous for his nasi goreng, Kok Jiann Cheng has worked at the restaurant for 10 years. The 30-year-old barista and team leader enjoys making latte art and working with his friends. But most importantly, the job has given him financial freedom, changing his life forever.
Since its opening in January 2011, the restaurant has gone on to change the way other people see, value and accept those with disabilities. “Seeing them at work made me realise they are just like everyone else. Creating a platform for them brings so much hope for the future of people with disabilities everywhere,” said Chuah Ping Shien, a regular customer at DIB.
Despite facing many challenges in obtaining funding to sustain the business and getting more differently-abled people to come on board, Dr Allen is hopeful that DIB will continue to improve the livelihoods of people with autism and hearing impairment, through skills training, unbiased employment and business entrepreneurship.
