New in town: KFC lends an ear to the aurally impaired

The seventh deaf-operated outlet launched in FB Area

KARACHI: The aurally impaired of Karachi can breathe a sigh of relief as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Pakistan launched its seventh deaf-operated outlet in the country on Monday.

With as many as 20 aurally impaired staff members operating the cash counter and the kitchen at the recently inaugurated outlet in Federal B Area, KFC Pakistan is all set to bring about a healthy change in the lives of the deaf people of Karachi.

According to the chief executive officer of KFC Pakistan, Nigel Belton, the outlet has been launched as part of KFC's 'Mitao Bhook' (eliminate hunger) programme. "It is a part of this programme that KFC has launched a special bucket meal offer," he said. "For every chicken bucket sold, KFC will donate Rs50 to the Deaf Reach School."



Sam Toherty, the founder of Family Education Services Foundation and cofounder of Deaf Reach School, told The Express Tribune that they were very glad with the opening of this branch. "Our motive is to give employment opportunities to the deaf," he said. "KFC has helped us achieve our motive."

A teacher of the Deaf Reach School, Azmat Hani, translated the signs of an employee at the recently launched outlet. The employee could not hear or speak and communicated through signs. "It came to me as a big surprise when this opportunity struck me 10 year ago. I knew nothing about the work but the staff bore with me and taught me the drill here."

Sameer, the quality control manager, described the 'buddy training system' through which an experienced staff member trained the aurally impaired staff. "We have placed sign cards at our counter, which helps a customer communicate with the deaf staff while placing an order," he said, showing how to make the sign of a burger with his hands.

According to KFC marketing general manager Noor Alam, the first outlet of this kind was launched in 1998 in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. "Out of the 59 KFC outlets in Pakistan, seven are run by aurally impaired staff," he said. "Of these seven, three are in Karachi and the rest are running in Lahore and Islamabad."

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2014.