Simple, yet delicate paper flowers of orange, pink and yellow were set upon the tables. Music pleasant to the ears filled the walls of Colayco, as students chatted over bottles of delicious coffee. The modest decorations, gentle melody and cool breeze gave a relaxed yet vibrant ambiance. At first glance, one would instantly realize that this was not your typical coffee shop to be found at the corner of your local street. Aside from the picturesque scenery, there was one more aspect which truly made the cafe special: the kind and welcoming people working and serving the customers who walked into that cafe.

Persons with special needs (PWSNs) welcome students as they enter the cafe, politely asking for their order. They prepare delicacies such as crinkles and banana bread on petite plates. With a smile, they hand the customer’s order without forgetting to thank them for buying after. Others sit on the corner, happily doing arts and crafts with their respective buddies as they wait to serve more customers.

Throughout the entire week, members of the Ateneo community were given the opportunity to interact with PWSNs. These conversations would show the community that there were more to PWSNs than being people with disabilities. Being a PWSN should not undermine one’s inherent worth as a human being. Instead, these differences should be embraced and be accepted by society. In this day and age, PWSNs are seen to be “less.” However, this project proves that they are capable and skilled workers. Indeed, their abilities and warmth continue to not only fulfill their duties, but gives an atmosphere of love and acceptance.

This is A Special Cafe, a yearly project wherein PWSNs from partner institutions are invited over to Ateneo to share their craft and demonstrate their abilities in a cafe setting. They proved that PWSNs are just as capable and skilled as any other person in the industry and thus, should not be taken for granted. ASC ended with a culminating night wherein members of SPEED and the partner institutions bonded through games and exciting activities.

A Special Cafe fostered the core values that SPEED aims to instill in its member namely, love, happiness, growth, and acceptance. In accepting and loving them for who they are, we can aid them in their growth as individuals and contribute to their happiness in this inclusive society!