Posted on Nov 30, 2018
At a Starbucks located near a college for the deaf, all the baristas know ASL
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Starbucks has about 14,000 stores nationwide, and they all seem pretty similar. But one that opened recently in northeast Washington, D.C., offers a unique experience.
This Starbucks is much quieter than a typical location. No music is playing, and if you look around, you’ll notice the baristas are communicating in American Sign Language.
And, there are the other special features.
“We have a TV screen, so you know when your order is ready – your name is going to appear. The cash register is lower, so you can make eye contact and see people’s hands,” Matthew Gilsbach, the manager of the northeast D.C. store, said.
According to Gilsbach, 19 of the 25 people employed at this Starbucks are deaf. He is too. And all the employees at this Starbucks know American Sign Language.
Many people in this Washington, D.C., neighborhood are part of the community around Gallaudet University – the country’s only liberal arts college for the deaf. About 7,000 deaf and hard of hearing people currently live in the city.
This Starbucks is much quieter than a typical location. No music is playing, and if you look around, you’ll notice the baristas are communicating in American Sign Language.
And, there are the other special features.
“We have a TV screen, so you know when your order is ready – your name is going to appear. The cash register is lower, so you can make eye contact and see people’s hands,” Matthew Gilsbach, the manager of the northeast D.C. store, said.
According to Gilsbach, 19 of the 25 people employed at this Starbucks are deaf. He is too. And all the employees at this Starbucks know American Sign Language.
Many people in this Washington, D.C., neighborhood are part of the community around Gallaudet University – the country’s only liberal arts college for the deaf. About 7,000 deaf and hard of hearing people currently live in the city.
At a Starbucks located near a college for the deaf, all the baristas know ASL
Posted from marketplace.org
Washington
Starbucks
College
Posted 6 y ago
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I think that's a niche location.
I wonder if a non-ASL can be hired there or do they descriminate?
They can legally do that if they pay those that do know ASL, a higher pay based on "Translation Skills".
I wonder if a non-ASL can be hired there or do they descriminate?
They can legally do that if they pay those that do know ASL, a higher pay based on "Translation Skills".
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1SG (Join to see)
Those students aren't tolerant, so I wouldn't recommend it. They shut the school down in 1988 with their Deaf President Now (DPN), and again in 2006 when they didn't like another selected to be President of the school.
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