Dialogue Hub
A BSL café to foster inclusivity for those with sensory impairment
Millions of people in the UK experience hearing loss, and their employment rates are statistically lower.
Dialogue Hub brings people together through arts and culture, coffee and immersive experiences in a multipurpose space in east London.
Funding from the Mayor of London’s Untold Stories programme has helped this unique enterprise to expand the success of its Dialogue Café, the first-ever British Sign Language (BSL) café, with a mobile mini-van unit staffed by Deaf/Hard of Hearing baristas.
Addressing the employment gap
In the UK, over 4.4 million working-age individuals report hearing loss.
The employment rate for this demographic is 65%, compared with 79% for those without long-term hearing impairments.
Since it was founded by Hakan Elbir in 2019, a key aim of Dialogue Hub has been to redress the imbalance in this employment gap and deepen inclusivity, empowerment and awareness about the Deaf community as well as those with other sensory impairments.
Working at the Hub
Six people who are either D/deaf or hard of hearing have been trained as baristas and are now employed as part of the Hub’s dedicated team.
Customers are asked to make their orders in BSL, breaking down barriers to communication and fostering a sense of belonging for all.
The mobile van and accompanying photographic artworks have been designed in a collaboration between a hard of hearing artist and a non-disabled artist. As well as having a regular home in Brixton, the Mobile BSL Café has travelled to festivals and events across London.
Here in Dialogue Café, I can be in touch with my true self – using sign language more, not only with my family, but professionally too. I’m being appreciated for what I have, staying active, and developing.
Bringing the community together
The local community has showed strong interest in the project, with many expressing a desire to participate: a local teacher, for example, with knowledge of sign language, has enhanced the initiative's inclusivity, reach and public engagement.
Dialogue Hub is now a thriving community destination, which is highlighting D/deaf culture in our public spaces and increasing representation
It was an incredible experience for me to work with deaf former barista Razz on this project. We both had fun and learned a lot during the photo shoot. Thank you very much to everyone who contributed.
Untold Stories: uncovering fascinating stories of diverse Londoners across the city
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