More Than Just Your Average Joe

The refreshing blast of air as I walk through the doors.

The familiar scent of home.

My widening slight grin as I watch my name written wrong on a white mug.

The warm feeling as I wrap my hands around a white chocolate mocha.

This is picture that comes to mind when I think of Starbucks.Yes, Starbucks. It’s a chain that you either love or don’t quite fancy. And I get it. It’s a big company that makes semi-decent coffee that one too many people rave about. It’s become, well…mediocre. But recently Starbucks has done something quite the opposite of mediocre.

Recently, Starbucks announced that it will open its first signing store to cater to the Deaf community near Gallaudet* University.

Now when I first heard about this, I was more than ecstatic. Having taken and fallen madly in love with American Sign Language (ASL) in high school myself, all I could think of was “FINALLY!” Not only would this store opening offer employment opportunities for those in the Deaf community, but it would provide more accessibility to Starbucks products for The Deaf and hard of hearing customers.

I was reminded of a time when I met a Deaf woman at Chick-Fil-A. I had just started learning ASL, and like a giddy kid who got a new toy, I was so eager to practice and share my ASL with anyone who knew how to sign. While waiting for her to finish her order before I approached, I noticed a look of frustration painted on her face. It was apparent that there was miscommunication between her and the cashier: she was trying her best to point to and write down her order while the flustered cashier trying her best to interpret.

At that moment, I started to  feel irritation boil inside me. Why aren’t all areas of employment and service made to be accessible for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing? Why should the Deaf community suffer daily from these shortcomings?

Which brings me to today. While I am overjoyed about Starbucks opening its first signing store in the U.S., we as a society still have so much more needs to be done so that all businesses improve accessibility for Deaf or hard of hearing individuals as well as anyone with disabilities for that matter. This Starbucks signing store should already be the norm in today’s society -- not a one-of-a-kind occurrence in a global, multi-billion dollar corporation. But, with that being said, everything has a beginning, so at least it is happening now. Starbucks’ signing store is the first step in the right direction...the first cup of coffee.

*Gallaudet is a private university in Washington DC, dedicated in educating Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

By Mikayla Aguie

Hey! I'm Miky or otherwise known as coffee critic, Disney addict, and travel enthusiast.

Oh! you still wanted to know more about me, well...

1. I probably watch way too much of House Hunters International

2. I prefer strolling over running

3.  My hidden talent is...still searching