#SIGN4US is a 3-part design solution that improves communication between front-line deaf workers and non-deaf customers in the F&B context. Design intervention comes in at three touchpoints: Menu Redesign, Lenticular Buzzers and Social Media Campaign. The menu redesign uses visual cues to aid communication in the ordering process between deaf workers and non-deaf customers, minimizing confusion brought about by gestures. The lenticular buzzers make use of food waiting time to educate customers about sign language through moving images. Lastly, the social media campaign leverages on the hashtag social trend to spread awareness of the deaf workers in Singapore. Low cost, low-tech and easily adaptable, this highly feasible solution can be readily implemented in F&B companies and has the potential to scale exponentially to a variety of service sectors.

This project is a collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and the Singapore Association for the Deaf. Given the task to improve job opportunities for the disabled, #SIGN4US aims to open up employment opportunities for the deaf in the F&B industry, specifically frontline counter service operators by creating a better mode of communication. By raising awareness and educating the general public, we hope to create a more inclusive environment for the deaf.

We conducted primary and secondary research to find out more about our target group - the deaf community in Singapore. We carried out interviews with the SADeaf's job-matching manager, Ailing and employed deaf workers from the association to find out more about the current employment situation. Identifying potential in the F&B sector due a lack of manpower, observed and shadowed Singapore's only fully deaf-operated KFC outlet to look for an opportunity to bring the deaf community into the industry.