Tea chain 'Chagee'-ng towards inclusivity with new NUS outlet
As the second-oldest among four siblings, Mr Muhammad Salahuddin Omar was the only child in the family born deaf.
The 27-year-old picked up sign language in kindergarten and now works at Chinese tea franchise Chagee's signing store located in the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The store is staffed by Deaf and hard-of-hearing baristas employed through a partnership with SG Enable and the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf).
The term "Deaf", with a capital letter D, refers to people with hearing loss who prefer to use sign language, and identify as a part of the Deaf community.
Speaking to The New Paper in Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) with the help of a sign language interpreter, Mr Salahuddin shared that he, fortunately, did not experience bullying growing up.
"I feel like maybe it's because of my face," he signed with his nimble fingers before letting out a chuckle.
The Deaf barista attended the Singapore School for the Deaf and Lighthouse School where he grew up alongside children with hearing disabilities and supportive teachers, he shared.
Before joining Chagee, Mr Salahuddin worked in retail and F&B, roles he secured with support from SG Enable, a government agency aimed at assisting persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
However, during his time at his previous two jobs, he did not have anybody he could communicate with as there was no one else who could understand sign language.
When he first received the offer to work at Chagee's signing store last year through SADeaf, he was looking forward to being in a work environment where everyone could understand each other.
"I thought it'd be interesting - I wanted the job because it'd be easier to communicate," he signed.
Mr Salahuddin underwent three weeks of training conducted in sign language and aided by resource videos with closed captions before being deployed on the ground.
Prior to the opening of the Chagee NUS store, Mr Salahuddin was working at the Orchard Gateway outlet - a high-volume store with long queues every day.
"I need to be very focused at work because it's quite busy over there."
Other Deaf and hard-of-hearing staff members at the signing store have also been previously attached to another store, ensuring a smooth transition to the newly opened NUS outlet that serves a large student crowd.
Mr Lawrence Wen, general manager of Chagee Singapore, noted that the prior experience has equipped the team well for the high demand at the NUS outlet.
"This store is actually a very high-volume store for us as well - there's a lot of delivery orders. Our store partners are more than capable of handling the high volume during lunchtime."
The signing store had its soft launch last month and Mr Salahuddin has already become acquainted with some of the store's regulars.
Faculty members visit the store so often that they have slowly picked up sign language, making it easier to communicate with them, he explained.
Chagee NUS had its official launch on June 19, becoming the tea chain's first signing store in South-east Asia. The franchise has three signing stores in China.
"Siting it at NUS was a deliberate choice - this is where future leaders are shaped, and we want to inspire more inclusive mindsets through everyday experiences," said Mr Wen in his opening address.
The store was designed with the staff in mind. Walls are lined with cork to soften ambient noise and the open brewing area keeps the staff visually connected.
"An inclusive society is one where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Initiatives like the Chagee signing store remind us that accessibility is not just about infrastructure - it is about mindset and intent," said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua who was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony.
To introduce customers to basic SgSL, a custom-made flip chart on the wall was developed with the help of SG Enable and SADeaf. Simple terms like "hello" and "thank you" in SgSL are displayed on the wall.
The store also features a mural by award-winning Deaf artist Angeline Chen Ziyue and photos taken by Singaporean Deaf photographer Isabelle Lim.
"I hope that customers will be able to learn a bit more about sign language after their visit and be inspired to go for courses to pick it up," Mr Salahuddin signed in SgSL with a smile.
