Coffee shop employs people with disabilities

BANGKOK, Feb 19 (TNA) – The Ministry of Labour opens the coffee shop to create jobs for people with disabilities. The first branch of “Coffee For All” cafe was launched at the ministry’s canteen before more outlets will be opened in the provinces. The Department of Employment and the Autistic Thai Foundation and the allies network initiated the project, training the disabled with barista skills, so they can work at the coffee shop and have income to depend on themselves. When they gain experience, they will be able to find new jobs in the future, said Labour Minister Adul Sangsingkeo. The coffee shop is operated by the Autistic Thai Foundation while the Labour Ministry supports the place to open the shops. Chusak Chanthayanon, chairman of the Autistic Thai Foundation said that three disabled people work at the newly-opened coffee shop and two carers stay there to assist them. Autistic people have good memories but they need to be trained about customer service skill. Each barista receives a monthly salary of 9,300 baht with welfare and will become trainers for junior baristas in the future. The second branch of the coffee shop will be opened at the department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities office. About 300 people with autism have been trained for the barista skill with the foundation so far, he said. (TNA)