Lebanese entrepreneur Elie Hanna has opened Sip and Sign, the country’s first café where communication takes place through sign language. The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between Lebanon’s deaf community and the wider public, offering both a welcoming space and an opportunity to learn.
Hanna, 34, was born deaf and studied fashion design at ESMOD Beirut before pursuing a project that would break barriers. He says his personal struggles with everyday communication inspired the idea.
“When I went to restaurants, hospitals or banks, I always needed someone with me to explain what I wanted. That’s when I realised how important it was to create a community where deaf people can feel comfortable, and hearing people can enjoy learning sign language,” Hanna told Al Bawaba in an interview.
A café with a mission
At Sip and Sign, customers are encouraged to order using sign language, supported by visual guides and signage displayed around the café. The menu includes coffee, desserts and light meals, but its purpose goes beyond hospitality.
Each weekend, the café offers free sign language workshops, while partnerships with deaf associations and schools aim to expand its impact.
“The main objective is to show that deaf people are not disabled. They just have a different language and lifestyle,” Hanna said.
Challenges and support
Launching the project was not without difficulties. Hanna faced obstacles in navigating bureaucracy and planning, relying on his brother, Jean Paul Hanna, to act as a business planner and help communicate with officials.
Yet the community response has been overwhelmingly positive. Visitors expressed excitement about the chance to order in sign language and engage directly with deaf staff.
“They were scared at first that they wouldn’t be understood, but with the signs around the shop it became much easier,” Hanna explained.
A call for inclusivity
Hanna hopes the café will spark broader social change. He believes sign language should be introduced into university curricula and integrated into daily life in Lebanon.
“Every Lebanese must learn sign language. Deaf people need to feel safe and independent, without always depending on their families,” he said.
He also urged municipalities, government offices, banks and hospitals to adopt sign language as a standard practice.
“We did the first step, and we hope the government will take it to another level to ensure rights are respected,” Hanna added.
For Lebanon’s deaf community, Sip and Sign is more than a café — it is a step toward recognition, independence and equality.
