Parents of special education students in Maryland were outraged after their children were denied service at a Cracker Barrel restaurant during a school outing. The students, who have autism and significant cognitive disabilities, were part of a community-based instruction program at Dr. James Craik Elementary School in the Charles County Public Schools District. The students, along with staff members, were refused service at the restaurant, which led to a protest being organized by one parent. The incident left parents feeling angry, sad, and worried for their children.
The school district’s staff had informed the restaurant about the group’s visit, but they were still refused service. The students were eventually able to place a to-go order, but were treated rudely by the staff while waiting for their food. The situation escalated to the point where the students had to wait on the school bus and eat their lunch at the school instead.
Cracker Barrel issued an apology, citing a “staffing challenge” as the reason for the incident. They expressed their commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all guests and acknowledged that the visit did not meet their expectations. A protest was organized by one parent in response to the incident, with the goal of raising awareness about the rights of children with disabilities and advocating for their inclusion in all aspects of society.
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