It’s no secret that finding stable jobs in the Philippines for persons with disabilities is a difficult task. Thankfully, there are some businesses who has made it a point to offer equal opportunities and be more inclusive when hiring workers. Here are five restaurants and cafés that have created a space in their workforce for persons with disabilities:
1. Dohotonbori
This Japanese restaurant, whose specialty is the savory pancake okonomiyaki, partnered with the Autism Society of the Philippines in 2017 for their Autism at Work program. The program highlights equal opportunity hiring for persons with autism as well as promising a safe and welcoming environment for all persons with autism.
2. Van Gogh is Bipolar
Van Gogh is Bipolar is not just any restaurant or dining experience. Calling itself a “mood-healing sanctuary”, chef and owner Jetro Rafael, who is bipolar, has been offering mood-altering food since 2009. The experience of dining here isn’t just for the taste buds, but a feast for the eyes as well.
3. Hisbeans Philippines
Just like the café’s Korean roots, this coffee shop serves good coffee and aims to provide a better, more inclusive world for all kinds of persons with disabilities. This coffee shop trains and hires PWDs as baristas and servers to work alongside non-PWD staff in a way that is harmonious and uplifting.
4. Overdoughs / OD Café
Overdoughs is best known for their yummy chunky cookies but they’ve also just opened up OD Café, which has more food options for you to try. The company not only hires deaf workers to be part of their staff, they also offer deaf awareness and basic sign language seminars for those who want to learn more or maybe adapt it for their own workplace.
5. Elait!
This dessert shop, owned by the same people that run Overdoughs, offers delicious artisanal and perfectly Instagrammable rolled ice cream prepared right in front of you. What’s even more special is that the people taking your order and preparing the ice cream are deaf individuals. The ice cream store even has posters and guides that teach customers basic sign language so you can order and communicate properly.