Literacy Cafe: A Form of Creativity for Social Welfare
Translator :
Karlina Irsalyana
CIMAHI
(April 25, 2022) - Since January 4, 2022, there is a new
facility in Abiyoso Center Cimahi. This cafe is organized to create job
opportunities for PPKS beneficiaries of Abiyoso Center so that they can improve
their standard of living. In addition to opening up opportunities to become
employees, beneficiaries can also leave merchandise in the form of culinary
delights at the Literacy Cafe.
Before
discussing this matter further, it is necessary to inform you that based on the
Minister of Social Affairs Regulation Number 3 of 2022, the Indonesian Braille
Literacy Center (BLBI) "Abiyoso" has changed its name to Abiyoso
Center. This is related to the existence of a multi-service policy for all
offices belonging to MoSA, which was instructed by the current Minister of
Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini. This policy then resulted in the ATENSI Creation
Center (SKA) program which was directed to be a forum for channeling the
creativity of Social Welfare Service Recipients (PPKS) in various businesses
and works. SKA aims to increase the entrepreneurship and vocational skills of
beneficiaries, create job opportunities for beneficiaries, increase the level
of social welfare of beneficiaries, and create shopping and recreation areas in
one location. Well, this SKA program is the forerunner to the emergence of the
Literacy Cafe as the newest facility for the Abiyoso Center.
Currently,
the Literacy Cafe employs three baristas from persons with disabilities,
consisting of one person with a visual sensory disability and two persons with a hearing disability. They claimed to be very grateful to be able to get a job at
the Literacy Cafe.
"This
can be an encouragement, for me, and for other disabled persons, we believe that
we can also work in cafes like non-disabled people," said Hani, one of the
cafe employees, with low visual sensory disabilities.
Hani also
advised those who want to employ persons with disabilities to pay
attention to accessibility in the workplace. "If possible, the tools,
materials, and furniture needed should not be moved to storage locations so
that they are more accessible to employees with visual sensory disabilities."
Although
still relatively new, the Literacy Cafe has quite some visitors,
especially from residents and official guests who happened to be visiting
the Abiyoso Center. Not infrequently, the Literacy Cafe also gets guests from
persons with disabilities.
The person in charge of the cafe, Hevy Aniza
Caroline (often called Karel), said that since operating in early January, the
number of visitors tends to increase every day. "It's crowded at lunchtime. Usually, during break time, Abiyoso's employees and residents enjoy
coffee at our cafe."
The
food available at the Literacy Cafe is quite diverse, ranging from coffee
variants (black coffee, cappuccino, mochaccino, hazelnut, caramel, and palm
sugar) and non-coffee (Thai tea, matcha, chocolate, and various juices). For
the food menu, Karel continued, it will be realized in April. The prices of the
menus are still very affordable because they are still in the promotional
period, which is between IDR 10,000 - IDR 12,000.
Why
is it called Literacy Cafe? According to Karel, it was named the Literacy Cafe
because this facility was initiated when the Abiyoso Center was still called
the Indonesian Braille Literacy Center (BLBI) "Abiyoso", which at
that time was still the only braille literacy management agency owned by MoSA.
As
a newly formed facility, of course, there are still shortcomings here and there.
For example, sometimes there are communication barriers between visitors and
baristas with hearing disabilities. However, this can be controlled with the
help of a barista or cafe employee who is non-disabled. Another obstacle that
was conveyed by visitors was the arrangement of the tables and chairs that were
not symmetrical.
"In
terms of accessibility, it is still not accessible for people with visual sensory
disabilities because the placement of table chairs is not right. My advice, the
tables are placed symmetrically. The menu list should also be available in
braille format," said Popon, one of the visitors.
In
addition to raising the issue of obstacles, Popon also appreciated the service
at the Literacy Cafe. "The customer service is communicative and active.
This is very good considering that customers with visual sensory disabilities
will be very comfortable when served with active communication. The menu is
also diverse and I suggest that the place to order is at the front so that the
blind can immediately order before looking for a seat."
Karel
wants the Literacy Cafe to continue to grow and be widely known by the public.
"Hopefully it can be a place to hang out for all ages," said the
physically disabled person.
In
line with Karel, Popon also expressed her hopes. "I want the Literacy Cafe
to be a bridge that brings together disabled and non-disabled visitors so that
positive perceptions are formed and can shift the negative stigma about people
with disabilities. Literacy Cafes can also be a business medium for persons with
disabilities who have business products," she concluded.
The
Abiyoso Center of course will not remain silent in response to the various
obstacles that still exist. Armed with the spirit of inclusion and
accessibility, over time, every effort will be made to provide a vehicle that
is comfortable, safe, humane, and inclusive. Hope and optimism from all parties
will be a trigger for Abiyoso Center to realize more optimal services for all
without exception.
In
the future, the Literacy Cafe will be available as an online food delivery
service, which is expected to make it easier for the public to take culinary
tours via smartphone screens. For more information, please follow the Literacy Cafe Instagram account at @literasi21.cf.
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