Parents of special education students met with Cracker Barrel executives to discuss the treatment of their children at a Waldorf, Maryland location. The meeting, which included representatives from the school district, was emotional and tense. The students, who have cognitive disabilities or autism, were refused service during a field trip, prompting outrage from parents. Cracker Barrel apologized for the incident and fired three workers, including the general manager, for their handling of the situation.
The parents expressed disappointment with the executives’ response, as they felt that the staff at the restaurant had given conflicting accounts of what happened. Some parents considered pulling their children from the program following the incident, but ultimately decided to keep them enrolled.
The incident at Cracker Barrel sparked anger among parents of special needs children, with some organizing protests and sharing their own experiences of discrimination. The increasing diagnosis of autism in children has created challenges for families and schools, with limited resources available to support these children.
Overall, the incident at Cracker Barrel highlighted the need for better training and understanding when it comes to serving individuals with disabilities. Parents are advocating for more inclusive practices and support for children with special needs in both educational and public settings.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com