Blog #491: My Reaction to the Controversy Surrounding a Cracker Barrel That Denied Service to a Special Education Class

Not too long ago, there was a story out of Maryland that involved a group of Special Education Students being denied service at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant. For those of you who don’t know, Cracker Barrel is a mom-and-pop style restaurant and store that transports the customers to the atmosphere of the old small-town feeling.

Now, being a former special education student myself, I can often see why special education classes will often to go out to lunch during school hours. The students are being exposed to the community and are given the expectation that they would demonstrate social skills that they would use in real life,

In a way, going to a restaurant is a good way to practice how to behave, how to speak to staff, how to manage money, all those kinds of things.

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For the Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, MD to say to the group that they don’t serve special needs individuals really does bring up into question just how are some businesses able to stay in business if they don’t cater to all members of the public, regardless of background, difference, etc. The truth of the matter is that the students who were turned away, might one day end up getting a job that meets their needs, such as being in the kitchen washing dishes. Plus, not everyone who comes into your business will be perfectly behaved. Some have behaviors that are just part of their personality.

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In this situation, the staff at Cracker Barrel were probably thinking that the students were going to be making a scene, such as being noisy, while most of the students are well behaved as it is. In this situation, it’s important to not jump to conclusions regarding how a person is going to behave.

Sure there are some difficult people we have to deal with, but they are the ones who will help your business grow by sharing the message to others. Trust me, in my nearly 20 years working in retail, I get the feeling. However, I had to remember myself that everyone needs to be treated with the same respect as you do.

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Going to chained restaurants like Applebee’s, Longhorn Steakhouse and Outback Steakhouse offers the dietary desires that the students will go after and at the same time, teaches social skills. It’s not just restaurants, but any public place or even during family events that social skills will be needed. If you aren’t going to cater to special needs individuals, then what good does that do to your business? Are you just going to deny service to individuals with differences along with denying their ability to learn social skills.

They are certainly no different than any other customers that walk through the door.

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Catch you all later!!