Starbucks has opened its first store with an inclusive design framework to accommodate people with disabilities, at Union Market in Washington.

The coffee shop features optimized acoustics and lighting, power-operated doors, accessible equipment designs, unobstructed pedestrian paths, and lower counters with overhangs.

“Building and scaling an inclusive store framework is central to our mission of connection and will lead to greater access for all,” said Katie Young, SVP of store operations at Starbucks.

The coffee chain said that it intends to embed the framework in its store growth plans, noting that one in every four adults in the US has a disability.

Starbucks is keen to increase the number of its US stores, currently over 16000, by 4 per cent this year.