Inclusive restaurant creates jobs for the hearing-impaired

At the doorway of his restaurant, Wang Tao welcomes customers with sign language. His hotpot restaurant is the quietest on this bustling food street, even at peak restaurant times. Like Wang himself, most of his customers are hear-impaired.

The 57-year-old owner lost hearing when he was four and learned sign language at a special education school. He left for Beijing to earn a living in his twenties and came back to Chongqing in 2017. This was when he opened a snack store staffed by hearing-impaired people.

The profit-making store showed Wang that is was possible to create more jobs and a sense of belonging for his peers. Last May, he partnered with friends to open Mr. Deaf and hired hearing-impaired people.

The restaurant had a rough start due to Wang's inexperience. "There were a lot of passers-by on the street, but they rarely came into our restaurant. We even reached a point where paying the rent and salaries was a problem," Wang recalled.

Closing the restaurant was seemingly the only option for Wang, until he was introduced to Li Dalan, a restaurant professional and charity enthusiast. Li had helped her hearing-impaired friend operate a restaurant, so she knew the business and sign language. After market research and experience learning, Wang and Li decided to add a light-flavored Canton-style hotpot to the menu alongside the spicy Chongqing hotpot.

"Hearing-impaired peers gave us a lot of advice, and they really like it when we introduced the Canton-style hotpot," Wang said. Nearly 80 percent of his customers are hearing-impaired and he offers them special discounts.

Wang Tao and his customers toasting in sign language. [Photo/Shangyou News]

Even though the restaurant is still doing well, Li still comes over regularly to help. Although the restaurant has normal-hearing staff and provides writing pads for customers and hearing-impaired staff to communicate, Li's presence can make it easier, especially during busy hours. "When customers have difficulties communicating with Wang and hearing-impaired staff, I can be the translator," Li said.

The restaurant became famous in the community as more and more hearing-impaired people have become regular customers. They also post the restaurant on social media. As business is on the rise, Wang plans to open another branch of MR. Deaf, "I am confident that I can create more jobs and help more hearing-impaired people," Wang said.