Page 4 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine Volume 5, April 2024

OUT AND ABOUT: INCLUSIVENESS
Are Restaurants and Food Courts in Malaysia Not PWD-Friendly?

Rashid
Ating

alaysia is recognised as one of the (besides the Starbucks in Penang), a five-star hotel,
leading countries in ASEAN alongside has offered a braille menu for visually impaired
MSingapore. However, when it comes guests since 2016 (it is unclear whether this is still
to implementing human rights for People with practiced). While this initiative is commendable
Disabilities (PWDs), Malaysia lags behind its ASEAN as it ensures PWDs are not neglected during hotel
counterparts such as Thailand and Indonesia in events, it only applies to exclusive events that take
adopting policies and legislation aligned with place only a few times a year. This is unlike daily
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of visits to restaurants, food courts, fast-food outlets,
Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Article 1 of the or cafés, which PWDs likely frequent more often
CRPD explicitly states the goal of the convention is every month.
necessary to uphold the rights of PWDs, “
to protect, promote, and ensure that all persons
with disabilities have access to their rights and
freedoms and are treated with respect.
This shortfall has resulted in inadequate
Additionally, he recommended
implementation, enforcement, and key elements

basic training in assisting visually
making Malaysia a less friendly country for this that restaurant staff receive
demographic. A common example of this issue impaired persons and suggested
is the unavailability of braille menus for PWDs in that menus feature QR codes
restaurants, food courts, fast-food outlets, and
cafés. As of the writing of this article, few chain printed in large letters.”
restaurants or dining spots offer braille menus for
PWDs. In the ASEAN region, the Philippine-based To further understand this issue from the
fast-food chain Jollibee has introduced a braille perspective of PWDs, the author conducted phone
menu for the blind and visually impaired. Similarly, interviews with two informants on November
a restaurant in Indore, West-Central India, has 30, 2023. These brief interviews, which lasted
provided their menu in braille. Starbucks, a approximately 10 to 15 minutes, included
multinational coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, questions on their dining experiences as well
Washington, promotes accessibility and disability as recommendations for making these venues
inclusion by offering a braille menu in all its stores more PWD-friendly in the future. No monetary
in the United States and Canada. Furthermore, compensation or tokens of appreciation were
Starbucks has demonstrated its commitment by provided, but both informants consented to have
opening signing stores in China, Malaysia (Penang), their responses used in this article.
Japan, the United Kingdom, and Washington D.C., Overall, both informants provided unique
which are operated by PWDs workers using sign perspectives. Informant 1, a male, shared
language and reflecting deaf culture, providing his experiences regarding the first question,
employment opportunities for this group. highlighting the challenges he faces when dining
In Malaysia, to the best of the author’s in mall restaurants or outlets. He noted that big
knowledge, only Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside restaurants commonly face similar issues and

3 April 2024 | Vol. 5