Working with us
At Dignity Kitchen, all of our employees have a form of disability. Some examples are; Autism, Hearing-impaired and Bipolar disorder. These individuals have to deal with their disabilities on a daily basis. However, regardless of this, they are able to cook and serve food normally like any other hawker. They are living proof that people with disabilities can do anything.
OPENING HOURS
Mondays to Sundays, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Baked items, Beverages and Desserts available till 5:30 pm every day except Sundays.
Autism is a brain development disorder which is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism can also be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor co-ordination and attention. About 40 percent have average to above average intellectual abilities and about one third of people with ASD are nonverbal but can learn to communicate using other means.
Hence the workers with Autism at Dignity Kitchen faces difficulties in two main areas that is social interaction and communication.
Interaction: When trying to communicate with an individual who has autism, speak slowly and be patient with them. If they try to gesture instead of speaking, do the same back, as it is probably a sign that they can’t speak properly
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder with periods of depression and elevated mood. The elevated mood is significant and is known as mania for which an individual behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy or irritable. During periods of depression they will feel very down, poor eye contact with others and have a negative outlook on life. Their risk of suicide is high and along with self-harm.
Hence the workers with Bipolar disorder at Dignity Kitchen have very fast mood change and react impulsively if they were triggered. Some of the common trigger points are disruption to their routine, conflict or stressful interactions with people and hypersensitivity to sounds.
Interaction: When trying to communicate with an individual who has bipolar disorder, keep an eye out for signs of mania or depression episode and from their current state of mood, react accordingly. When facing with a mania episode, talk calmly with the individual and encourage them to engage in calming behaviors such as resting. When facing with a depression episode, listen to them attentively and offer helpful and positive advice.
Hearing-impairment is a partial or total inability to hear temporarily or permanently which may occur in one or both ears. For adults, hearing problems may cause work related difficulties and also loneliness. Some individual are unable to hear at a high degree and understand speech even in the presence of amplification. Another aspect of hearing involves the perceived clarity of a word rather than the amplitude of sound made by the word.
