Beyond the Signing Store: Malaysia's Silent Struggle for Inclusive Workplaces Malaysia's deaf workers face a harsh reality despite the country's touted economic growth: even when hired, they're often relegated to entry level jobs with little prospect of advancement.
Yap, a 36 year old deaf barista who took 13 years to be promoted to shift manager at Starbucks' Signing Store in Kuala Lumpur, exemplifies this stark contrast between corporate rhetoric and actual workplace inclusion.
The Signing Store, launched in 2016 as a flagship for inclusive hiring practices, has become a model for other companies. However, its success is largely an exception rather than the rule.