Welcome to a place where coffee is not just an aromatic beverage, but a beacon of inclusivity and diversity. Nestled in the bustling heart of Pathumwan district, Bangkok, lies a cafe that’s brewing up change, one cup at a time – A Step Café, located within the chic confines of Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. Let’s pour over the story behind this unique establishment that’s much more than meets the eye.
In an era where the richness of diversity is celebrated, the collaboration between IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global hospitality titan, and Steps Community, a visionary social enterprise, has birthed a space where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can find common ground – or rather, common roast. A poetic symphony of clinking cups and empowering opportunities, this cafe is where communal tables are shared by both the able-bodied and people with disabilities.
Imagine the warm scent of freshly roasted coffee beans wafting through the air, as Patrick Both, an advocate for workplace diversity and the Area General Manager for the luxury & lifestyle segment at IHG, shares his inclusive perspective. “Everyone is welcome to our hotel,” he professes, his philosophy as rich and strong as the espresso he sips. “We don’t just hire staff, we nurture potential, spotting the strengths in every individual to ensure they can excel.”
Donning multiple hats as the General Manager of the host hotel, Both is akin to a maestro conducting an orchestra – drawing out melodious outcomes from a myriad of talents, including those of persons with disabilities. With a keen eye for untapped potential, he has witnessed how diverse viewpoints blend together, enhancing the hotel’s service much like a masterful blend of coffee.
Max Simpson, a pioneer at the realm of social enterprises and CEO of Steps Community, speaks with a fervor that’s infectious. She reveals that the journey to create an inclusive haven at A Step Café has been a challenging brew, percolating for over a year. Nonetheless, the returns are beginning to percolate through the intricate layers of Thai society. But victories are not without their battles, and Simpson soberly reflects on the barriers that still cast shadows on the disabled – from tangled webs of communication to truncated education paths.
Indeed, Simpson sheds light on a jarring statistic. “Imagine, a staggering 90% of people with disabilities bow out from the education system at the primary level,” she laments, the gravity of her words sinking in like the rich, dark residue at the bottom of a coffee cup. With determination, she adds, “We’re here to shake grounds, to foster interactions that go beyond the superficial and brew meaningful connections.”
Skimming through the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities’ latest figures is a bittersweet experience. As of March, out of the almost 857,117 young and middle-aged individuals with disabilities in Thailand, only about 311,259 have found employment. Amidst this, the numbers tell another tale – 55,276 are jobless, 51,575 are unable to work, and a puzzling 439,007 have kept their working narrative a mystery.
But at A Step Café, each cappuccino crafted and every greeting exchanged serves as a testament to change and acceptance. In the end, as visitors leave, they carry away more than the lingering taste of their latte; they bear the warmth of inclusivity and the affirming belief that everyone deserves a place where they can thrive.
So come pull up a chair at A Step Café, where dreams are brewed alongside java, and where every sip supports a future that’s as bright and hopeful as the smiles you’ll find within. A clink of a cup here isn’t just a gesture – it’s a cheer to the potential in us all, in a cafe that’s far beyond ordinary.
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