Silent bubble tea shops offer work and hope to deaf Chinese

Business is booming at one of the quietest bubble tea shops in China.

The tiny Silent Beverage shop in Guiyang in the southern province of Guizhou has attracted curious customers because of its policy of only hiring deaf employees.

People with disabilities often struggle to find jobs in China but the tea shop provides a safe environment for students who graduated from a local special needs high school to improve their communication skills.

Except for one cashier who does not have any hearing or language barriers, other staff communicate via sign language.

Visual aids and menus are prominent on the shop’s walls and counters for customers to point to.