According to the World Health Organisation , an estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This amounts to about one in six people. Despite this, most places are inaccessible to disabled people. However, there is an increasing number of places that are recognizing and working towards increased accessibility. Two such places are Pallet Café and Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café . Both are situated in Lavington, Nairobi and aim to empower disabled communities.
Pallet has many attractions, such as beautiful scenery, tasty food, and charming shops. But the real selling point of the café is in the staff: almost all the waitstaff employed by Pallet Café are deaf. As stated on the café’s website, “the cafe was born out of the vision to provide great food and amazing service while promoting the training and employment of the disabled in the food service community.”
Patrons are expected to communicate with staff using as much sign language as they know. If your Kenyan Sign Language is shaky, the hearing staff are available to assist you with basic phrases, such as “hello”, “please”, “thank you”, and “sorry”. There is also a large sign displaying the sign language alphabet so you can spell out words you don’t know.
The place’s selling point isn’t only in its social consciousness. The food is great, with a standard café menu ranging from juicy burgers to tasty tacos, with plenty of vegetarian options.
If you’re the type that likes to work at coffee shops, Pallet’s peaceful environment makes it the perfect workstation. Recent renovations have provided the café with an indoor and outdoor working space and the sign language communication keeps talking to a minimum.
Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café is Kenya’s first neurodivergent café. The café seeks to hire staff with neurological disabilities and give them a safe space to work and earn a livelihood. They aim to empower neurodivergent people and prove that they are able to work, earn a living, and serve their communities. To this end, Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café seeks to primarily hire people with neurological disabilities.
The café features a serene outdoor area, decorated with hanging pot plants, art displays, and books on neurological disability. The gentle sunlight, friendly service from the staff, and tasty food makes Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café an oasis from the stresses of daily life.
The café is also known for their paint and sip option. With this option, patrons are provided with a canvas, easel and set of paints to make art while sipping on a cocktail. Lounging in sunlight, surrounded by pot plants, making art, and sipping on a cocktail. What better way is there to ease the mind.
Pallet Café and Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café are making a difference in the lives of disabled people, both their staff and their patrons. This social consciousness is inseparable from the gentle atmosphere and high-quality dining experience both cafes provide. More establishments should aspire to learn from their example.
Even if you aren’t in Kenya, you can still check out Pallet Café on social media at their Instagram and Facebook . You can find Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café on Instagram and Facebook .