Canteen Stories

The café is a part of the Museum of Possibilities run by our consortium member, The Foundation for Vocational Training. The Museum Café is a skill development center focusing on training adults with disabilities on managing a quick-service restaurant, thereby enabling them to make a livelihood. The space is designed to be inclusive, and accessible and will have person-specific adaptations for the trainees as well as the customers. Varied height counter surfaces, braille and adapted cutlery menu to give choice of adapted spoons and plates for the customers to choose from, adapted board games for added experience, gallery of events from ‘Disability Movement in India’ are few highlights. The cafe will also serve as a medium to create awareness about Disability and sensitize the community on the parameters to look at while setting up a restaurant, which promises accessibility to all including people with disabilities. Have a look at the Cafe Menu : https://bit.ly/Museum-Cafe-Menu

Hear Our Team Stories

Priyadharshini

My burn injury happened in Class 11, due to this trauma and family circumstances, I did not finish schooling and took up a job. I first worked in a press, where no one talked to me. I used to completely conceal my face and wear high-necked clothes, to hide my scars. I liked my job but left, because of the way I was treated. Then, I joined Writer’s Café. I have been working there for five years. Everything about this place appeals to me. We're free to make errors and learn from them. The management is appreciative and customers compliment us on our work. After working in this environment, I became self-motivated and an extrovert. I want to save money and pursue my ambition of becoming a nurse. My message is please don’t discriminate because of appearance. I am happy to move to Museum Café as it will be a hub for people with disabilities.

Yuvaraj

I have completed the 12th class and I have a mild learning disability. I have attended many interviews for jobs, but I was told that slow-learning people can’t be part of a team. The interview panel stops interacting once they know I am a person with a disability and start talking to my mother. They fail to realize that, I am more than my disability. Then a new phase of life started in this café. Earlier days were difficult but now my confidence has grown. I like my work. Here the accommodations I need are well taken care of. This cafe is a unique place where the accessibility element is taken as one of key principles in design and operation like the entrance, braille menu, and many more features. This will open up possibilities for the world outside to learn what inclusion is all about. The best method is to listen to the users. I would like to save money and study mass communications. That's my dream.

Gayathri

I am an alumnus of Vidya Sagar and started my job here. I have studied till 10 th class. I got trained in Writer’s Cafe. This is my first job. I have friends here and feel comfortable. I listen to the instructions and work accordingly. I help with preparation of food, cleaning tables, serving food. I was taught recipes by tasting the food. Now, I know exactly how much quantity of each ingredient is needed in each recipe. After school, I was nervous about working but to my surprise the café made me happy and energetic. I have a learning disability. The trainers understand and support me. I have challenges with reading and writing. I am an auditory and experiential learner. Once I do the specific tasks a number of times, I eventually learn it. I felt happy and proud when I handed my first salary to my mom. It is helping me to be a contributing member in the family. I have planned to work here as long as possible!!

Appu

I am a person of short stature and have encountered mockery and verbal ragging. Neither the roads nor the buses are accessible for me. When I go to eat in a restaurant, people look at me with pity. Even though I can afford to pay, they say let me pay for you. I have no formal education. In my family there are three members. We brothers are staying together. I feel happy to be able to contribute equally, as my brothers. I like my boss very much and have been working with him for 30 years. He takes care of us very well. In my experience working with Writers’ Cafe, I have never been mocked for my height. I have never felt inferior to other people. Job is important for any person. It also gives an identity and respect in society for people like me.

Mariayyammal

I was born and raised in Chennai. I have studied till 9th class and couldn’t study further because of family circumstances. I have been working in the Writer’s Cafe for the past five years. I am now a trainer for new trainees. I was doing housekeeping earlier. After my burn injury I was denied work because of my scars. I also couldn’t come out from the trauma for many days. I felt under confident about my appearance, and was hesitant to step out and face the mockery. PCVC (International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care) encouraged me to overcome my insecurities and live my life the way I want. They introduced me to this training. This opportunity changed my life. At first, I was very shy and insecure, but I started loving the job, the trainers were humble and patient. I have two kids. Earlier, for every little expense, I was dependent on my mother, but now I myself is a proud mother who takes care of her kids by herself. My message to burn survivors is, Believe in yourself. Please don’t stop living your life. Fulfill your dreams. I am fascinated by the museum and the products that are displayed there. I didn’t know these existed before. This is a great means of building awareness.

Other Team Members