The next time you go to Taco Bell don’t be surprised if you see employees using sign language to communicate with one another. This is because the company has a strong policy of including people of different abilities as part of its workforce.

Taco Bell Costa Rica continues to expand its operations, and also its philosophy of inclusivity, giving greater participation to individuals with disabilities in their newest locales, reported Costa Rica’s business daily El Financiero this week.

A new locale next to San José’s Central Park, near the Metropolitan Cathedral, is operated by eight young employees who have different types of disabilities. The initiative is part of the company’s “Inclusion Without Limits” program which launched 10 years ago.

By the end of 2017 the company aims to increase their employees with disabilities from the current 67 to a total of 100; and another fully inclusive Taco Bell outlet will open in 2018, said the company.

This newest location, in the Food Palace shopping center near the Central Park, is the company’s 34th in the country; and two others will open in other locations this year, said the report in El Financiero.

The eight young people chosen to run the new establishment are seasoned employees, said Taco Bell. Among the disabilities that these people have are deafness, some physical limitation and/or mild cognitive impairment.

“We have been working on this initiative for several years and now we finally see this dream come true with these eight young people who are 100 percent capable and very hardworking,” said Mauricio Rodríguez, Taco Bell Costa Rica’s operations manager.

The new premises will open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m, and will use the same equipment, and offer the same Taco Bello menu.

In 2016, Taco Bell conducted a pilot test of this inclusivity model when disabled employees were put fully in charge of the management of the San Pedro Taco Bell for a period.

“This challenge has not been easy, but the goal will always be to provide a decent working space for people with limitations such as deafness and mild cognitive impairment within each of the brand’s outlets in positions such as cashier, customer services, cleaning, and food handling. Now our goal is in 2018 when we expect to open our second restaurant of this type,” said Randall Bravo, human resources manager for the chain.

Those interested in seeking employment at of the chain should go to <www.tacobell.co.cr>.