[accessible space] the first Starbucks sign language coffee shop in the United States opens in October

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In the future, deaf customers will be able to consume Starbucks more easily and taste their favorite coffee drinks.

Starbucks will open its first U.S. contracted store near Gallaudet University this fall, providing convenience to deaf and hearing-impaired customers.

1. Starbucks opens first deaf coffee shop

Starbucks announced that its location at 6th and H Streets in Washington, D.C., will be comprised of deaf, hard of hearing and hearing employees, all proficient in American Sign Language (ASL).

Deaf staff will wear sign language aprons embroidered by deaf vendors, while hearing staff will wear "I Sign" stitches. Orders will be displayed visually.

In addition, the store will offer an open-plan environment for ASL communications, plus low-glare reflective surfaces, and will showcase exclusive artwork and feature custom mugs designed by deaf artists.

The store is located in a neighborhood where many bars and restaurants employ ASL-proficient staff to cater to the needs of Gallaudet students and faculty, the only university in the world designed to accommodate deaf and hearing-impaired students.

And the idea for the Deaf Coffee Shop was inspired by Starbucks contracted stores in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the first company in the chain to hire deaf employees and trained ASL hearing workers.

2. Deaf coffee shops get support from all walks of life

Howard Rosenbloom, CEO of the National Association of the Deaf, applauded the decision, saying: "Starbucks takes an innovative approach to integrating deaf culture that will increase employment opportunities and accessibility for deaf and hearing impaired people while educating and inspiring society.“

3. Starbucks is also trying to accommodate deaf people in other areas

Although the store is the first of a U.S. Seattle chain, baristas elsewhere are also using their sign language fluency to take customer orders, including Florida's Express. At that Starbucks, using video technology, a deaf woman was able to communicate her order using sign language and record the exchange in a viral video.

At Starbucks in London, baristas have set up a WeSign Café that offers monthly BSL classes, and the store has been working to recruit deaf staff.

And this new signing is another reason Starbucks is one of our most popular coffee chains in America.

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