Café Arpan is Mumbai’s first cafe that solely employs adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities (PWDDs). Inaugurated on 2nd August 2018, the café is serviced by a team of 14 specially-abled adults, supported by a manager and kitchen assistant. Café Arpan radiates warmth and comfort with its quirky colours and cozy ambience. The café is one of the supported-employment initiatives of Yash Charitable Trust, a Mumbai-based NGO. Their vision is that PWDDs will will live and work in the community of their choice with dignity and self-respect. The team at Café Arpan takes orders, prepares the food and beverages from the menu, serves all customers and is responsible for setting up and cleaning the cafe. The team works 6 days a week in two shifts for six hours each. The cafe is the perfect place for its beneficiaries to foster their skills, build their confidence and feel empowered and accepted in their community.
