Communication Service for the Deaf Commends Starbucks for First U.S. American Sign Language Store
NEW YORK (PRWEB) July 20, 2018 -- Yesterday, Starbucks announced that it will open its first U.S. “signing store” in Washington, D.C. Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) commends Starbucks’ demonstration of commitment to workplace inclusion in taking this important and positive step.
CSD’s CEO and leading equality expert Christopher Soukup said, “Starbucks’ move to open this store makes them among the first to recognize and act on the possibilities offered by the largely untapped Deaf economic base and talent pool, and to increase employment and leadership opportunities among the Deaf community. This is a great example that many other businesses and organizations can follow. With more than 70% of the Deaf community either unemployed or underemployed, the potential is vast.”
CSD has been creating solutions and advocating for the critical and continued need for Deaf-centric design and Deaf-led business solutions for decades. It’s vitally important that the Deaf perspective be considered, included and incorporated from the very beginning, especially through Deaf leadership.
Advancing positive representation of Deaf people is a critical part of what we do at CSD. Representation affects not only what we see in the media, but also who we interact with in our everyday lives, including the Deaf barista who serves you that half-caf latte just the way you like it. Starbucks’ move to open its first U.S. Deaf-centric store is an important and very positive step towards advancing a much-needed and more-inclusive perspective throughout all businesses.
Starbucks is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. What Starbucks is doing here goes beyond equalizing the customer experience for Deaf people and providing jobs to a vastly underrepresented talent pool. Starbucks has created a space that will provide opportunities for anyone to be a leader and to succeed in whatever career they may ultimately pursue.
Soukup added, “Putting American Sign Language front and center at this store is a significant step in honoring the longtime presence and history of Deaf people throughout the D.C. region. I look forward to seeing other cities with significant Deaf populations represented in this way.”
Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) is the world’s largest Deaf-led nonprofit organization. For over 40 years, CSD has offered a wide range of programs and services designed to educate Deaf people and the public, facilitate communication through technological solutions, and support businesses with resources to hire Deaf employees.
Karen Durkin, The Durkin Agency LLC, +1 386-451-4850, [email protected]
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