The programme is compulsory for all employees, including those in corporate offices. Credit: Kiran-Sharma/Shutterstock.

Fast-food chain KFC India has initiated a sign language training programme for its entire workforce in the country, The Economic Times has reported.

The initiative aims to promote inclusivity and better serve customers with speech and hearing impairments.

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The programme is compulsory for all employees, including those in corporate offices.

In a statement, KFC said: “The training is part of KFC India’s Kshamata programme, which is aimed at feeding people’s potential, and bridging the gender and ability gap.”

The training, designed with input from sign language experts, starts with the basics of the international sign language (ISL) alphabet.

Subsequent modules will cover greetings and common phrases essential for engaging in sign language conversations.

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KFC India and Partner Countries general manager Moksh Chopra was quoted by the publication as saying: “One of the most important steps towards this is spreading the usage of sign language and since 2021, our annual #SpeakSign campaign focuses on enabling this goal. This year, we are proud to announce that 100% of our teams will be trained in basic Indian Sign Language, making our restaurants across the country more inclusive.”

KFC India’s franchise partners, Devyani International Limited and Sapphire Foods India Limited, have played an integral part in the Kshamata journey.

KFC also has plans to enhance inclusivity by doubling the number of speech and hearing impaired (SHI) employees by 2026.

The brand employs approximately 17,000 people in India, spread across 240 cities and 1,200 restaurants.

In 2024, KFC also introduced the first interactive sign language kiosk, enabling customers to order their preferred items using ISL, across various brands and cuisines.

In September 2023, KFC India launched a special sign language bucket with images of sign language motions for basic terms for a limited time.