By DCist contributor Sean A. Maiwald

On 6th Street and H Street NE, across the street from Whole Foods, a new kind of Starbucks opened Tuesday where Deaf and hearing employees alike primarily communicate in American Sign Language.

As Matthew Gilsbach, the store’s Deaf manager signs, “this signing Starbucks will become a third space on H Street NE for Deaf people, especially with the direct access to communication that we offer here.”

This new Starbucks, which is reopening after a brief renovation to add accessibility features, is based in part on the first signing Starbucks in Malaysia, where Deaf employees communicate in Malaysian Sign Language. The one on H Street NE, which took more than a year of planning, includes a staff of 25 that communicates primarily in ASL. According to Gilsbach, nineteen members of the staff are Deaf, and the rest are hearing (some are children of deaf adults, known as CODAs, whose first language was ASL).

The space is unique because it not only serves the Deaf community, but the hearing community is welcome, as well. Gilsbach describes this as “flipping the script.”

“In terms of interaction and ordering, hearing people will have to accommodate us Deaf people,” he says. “Usually, when one orders at a coffee shop, gesturing, writing, and phones are all involved in some capacity.”

At the counter, you will be greeted by the usual green apron-clad baristas, but with one important difference—they sign. If you are Deaf or know American Sign Language, the process is much easier than at other Starbucks locations—just order. There are also Boogie Board tablets for writing your order, or visual menus where you can point to the item you want. Keyboards are available for communicating if you have any specific questions during your transaction. When orders are ready to be picked up, a screen shows the name and number of your order instead of baristas calling out names.

The rest of the space includes new accessibility features, much of it incorporating principles of DeafSpace, an architectural concept that emphasizes the visual nature of Deaf people. The space is well lit, airy, and open. You can even see outside and converse through the window. The tables have been redesigned with matte finishes to reduce glare for those signing, and shades that can cover the windows are semi-transparent to let some light in, so that the store remains well-lit enough for visual communication. The wall tiles, paint, and features are neutral in color, creating contrast between people and the wall and making signs easier to see.

There are other design touches as well. Black umbrellas outside bear fingerspelled “STARBUCKS” in American Sign Language. Inside, the right wall bears a mural by a Deaf artist, Yiqiao Wang, that spells out “DEAF” in both fingerspelled script and in English letters. A plaque explains that there are layers of meaning within each letter: The D signifies deafness and the Deaf identity; the E signifies equality and togetherness; the A with an eye interlaid on the hand shows the visual nature of sign language; the F represents holding a cup of coffee. In the center, two hands come together to show the sign for community to emphasize language and cultural pride.

This store is located just a few blocks away from Gallaudet University, the only university in the world for Deaf people (disclosure: I teach at Gallaudet). D.C. is home to more than 7,000 deaf or hard of hearing people, including Gallaudet’s population of nearly 2,000 students. Approximately half of the staff at this Starbucks are Gallaudet students, alumni, or staff.

A few other businesses on H Street NE and at nearby Union Market employ some Deaf and signing team members, but as Gilsbach says about his store, “I hope that this Signing Starbucks can improve business practices and influence them so that they’re more accessible and inclusive.”

According to Howard A. Rosenblum, CEO of the National Association for the Deaf, Starbucks has also contributed to a fund for the organization for workforce development for the Deaf community.

“This store has murals, art, and even mugs designed by Deaf artists, creating opportunities,” Rosenblum signs. “Our fund will enable workforce and skill development, and we will work to create a video series for Deaf people. This video series will focus on interview skills, leadership, and other similar soft skills. We will also have mock interviews in partnership with Starbucks to allow Deaf students and professionals get experience and work on their skills. The goal here is to show that Deaf people can do anything—especially in the work world.”

The signing Starbucks is located at 625 H St. NE