KUALA LUMPUR: This cup of hot coffee carries not only aroma but also the dedication, hard work and courage of visually impaired baristas.

Amid over a hundred stalls at the Taman Midah morning market in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, a small stall named “Blind Brew” might not immediately catch your eye.

However, its visually impaired operators shine brightly as they overcome obstacle after obstacle to run it.

Blind Brew was founded by Chew Mee Waing, president of a non-government organisation called Persatuan Amal Indah.

While Chew is not visually impaired herself, she established the food and beverage business to create new employment opportunities for the visually impaired, providing training before handing over day-to-day management and operations entirely to them.

Boosting confidence and life skills

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Chew shared that the charity group opened the beverage stall in mid-June along a side alley next to the MClean Vegetarian Restaurant, selling coffee, lemonade and ice cream.

She explained that many visually impaired individuals work indoors as masseurs,

which is one reason they are rarely seen in public spaces. By opening a beverage stall, she hopes to help them to be outside, interact with the community, and earn an independent livelihood.

“I hope to build their self-confidence and perseverance while teaching them sales and marketing skills. Although they may learn at a slower pace, continuous training helps them master the skills step by step,” Chew said.

She revealed that the organisation also plans to launch a second outlet in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, by the end of July.

Adapted equipment: Tactile stickers on touchscreen coffee machines

Chew, who is also the president of the Taman Midah Market Traders Association (Persatuan Penjaja Pasar Taman Midah), explained that since the employees have low vision, the stall is equipped with touchscreen coffee machines adapted for their use. Raised tactile stickers are affixed onto the touch buttons, allowing staff to easily identify and operate them. The same for ice-cream machine.

Currently, five trained visually impaired individuals—categorised under B2 or B3 visual impairment levels—are involved in the project.

“Tasks that an individual takes five minutes to complete might take them eight minutes. We hope customers will give them a chance and offer a little extra patience,” she noted.

Relying on weight and touch

While sighted operators can visually monitor ice cream dispensing and adjust their hands accordingly, doing so is a real challenge for visually impaired baristas.

They must judge the quantity by weight and physical feel, which requires repeated practice.

Additionally, the organisation arranges for visually impaired individuals to prepare kaya swiss rolls daily at the Malaysia Visually Impaired Chinese Cultural Association Centre, which are then brought to the stall to sell.

All revenue generated from Blind Brew goes directly into the personal bank accounts of the visually impaired operators.

“Many visually impaired individuals stay at home for long periods and lack the courage to enter the workforce. They are accustomed to indoor massage work, so changing career paths requires guidance. What seems easy to us looks very different in practice for them,” Chew said.

 “As they grow older, massage work may no longer be sustainable, but brewing coffee is something they can do long term,” she said.

Soong Kok Yeow , 44, said job opportunities for the visually impaired are limited.

“I have B2 severe low vision and worked as a massage therapist for 20 years. My experience taught me how limited job options are for the visually impaired.

With technological progress, screen-reading software has made daily life much easier, yet career choices remain narrow because few people lead our community into new industries, he said.

In China and Taiwan, many visually impaired individuals have successfully entered F&B, proving that they can do it.

In Malaysia, however, few have taken that first step.

“I believe if someone leads by example, more visually impaired individuals will find the courage to join. I am now responsible for training others to operate the coffee stall. Managing different personalities has taught me to lead with greater patience, communication, and understanding,’’ he said.

Although we can identify paper currency, we still encourage cashless payments. I sincerely hope the public supports us not out of sympathy, but as a recognition of our ability. After all, we need to earn an honest living just like everyone else,” said Soong.

Chew Wai Leong, 31, from Melaka, memorises button presets for each flavour.

“I previously worked at my parents’ noodle stall in Melaka. A few years ago, I moved to Kajang, Selangor, to assist at my brother’s restaurant, which gave me prior F&B experience.

I have B3 low vision. Despite that, I was excited to take on the challenge of learning to be a barista. Besides brewing drinks, I greet customers, ask whether they prefer hot or cold beverages, and prepare their orders accordingly.

“Operating the coffee machine was initially quite challenging because we had to memorise what flavour each touch button represents. Since the screen is sensitive, an accidental touch can start dispensing liquid, so we must double-check before pressing.

“We have to be especially careful when preparing hot drinks, particularly when pulling tea (Teh Tarik). I rely on hearing, my remaining faint vision, and tactile sense for every step.

“Making soft-serve ice cream involves more steps and complex operation, so I am still learning. I hope everyone supports us as we continue improving our operations at Blind Brew,’’ he said.

Yap Tian Jun, 24, finds it a unique experience using a coffee machine.

“I previously worked as a masseur. This time, I wanted to try a different challenge, so I decided to learn coffee brewing at Blind Brew. I used to make Milo at home, but using a commercial coffee machine was a completely new and special experience for me.

“I went from buying coffee to selling coffee. Besides learning brewing techniques, I’ve learned how to communicate with strangers, proactively ask what they’d like to drink, and prepare their orders based on their needs. This role change gives me a strong sense of accomplishment and the confidence to try new paths,’’ he said.

Blind Brew operates daily from 8am to 1pm, Taman Midah morning market, Cheras. (closed on Mondays).