Living with a disability doesn’t come without challenges. Learning how to navigate through those challenges while making the most of what’s been given and what one already has, is what sets up a person’s quality of life. And with opportunities sprouting up to have a more fulfilling life while living with a disability, the community can only grow stronger and more supportive.
Business owner Anjan Manikumar had an idea to open a restaurant for the hearing disabled in Toronto, Canada, with the intention of giving these people the opportunity to join the workforce.
Aptly named Signs, the restaurant is staffed only by hard of hearing people, and the menu is displayed in both English and American Sign Language. Don’t know the first thing about sign language? That’s why there are handy displays and infographics all over the restaurant to help diners out while they’re trying to order their meal – and a hands-on staff more than ready to help anybody who needs it!
Anjan encourages diners to order their meals in sign language, urging customers to learn how to communicate with those who are hearing impaired while bridging the communication gap and making it delicious!
He told reporters on the Candian Broadcast Channel (CBC), “Providing them an opportunity here is something they deserve, and they are very talented. Everyone who’s on my staff, I’m extremely happy [with]. They are extremely talented.”
This concept is such a wildly inventive idea, and it would be great to see more restaurants like Signs. Sadly, the place was shut down for reasons that have not been shared.
