source：西部网-陕西新闻网 editor：zhang wenni
recently, the first sign-language starbucks store in xi'an officially opened. though feeling a bit nervous when taking this job at the beginning, li sha is now pretty comfortable organizing training for many baristas with hearing impairments. li sha connects with customers with smiles and sign language and listens to the sound of love with her heart.
more than three years ago, li sha joined starbucks through online recruitment and worked in xi'an qujiang intime shopping mall. "i am a special partner and everyone calls me 'angel partner'."
it's not easy to become a star barista, even more so for li sha. when steaming milk, one often has to check the texture and thickness of the milk foam based on the sound of the milk colliding with the steam. "my mentor taught me to steam milk and asked me to pay attention to feeling the vibration generated by the steam, and it took me nearly half a month to gradually master the milk steaming skills."
"my colleagues have shown me the colorful world of coffee and encouraged me to connect more with customers. i am fully motivated every time they present the sign language 'thank you'."
though society rapidly develops, showing more inclusiveness and love to people with hearing impairments, many disabled people still lack self-confidence when looking for a job and struggle with the future. "with the limited capability of communication, hearing-impaired people have fewer opportunities to perform."
as the first starbucks sign language store in northwest china and the tenth in the country, this "quiet" store now has seven "silent baristas". in addition to providing "angel baristas" training, the store also holds regular coffee classes and offers sign language classes online and offline to deepen its ties with the community.
"i hope that people will love our coffee and be able to share stories with us. in the future, society can be more open and inclusive to people with hearing loss."