Cracker Barrel Faces Backlash for Allegedly Refusing Service to Special Education Students in Maryland
A field trip to a Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Maryland, for special education students from Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has sparked widespread outrage among parents and educators.
The incident on December 3, 2024, involved 11 students and seven staff members from Dr. James Craik Elementary School’s special education program.
What Happened at Cracker Barrel?
The outing, part of a community-based instruction initiative, aimed to teach practical skills and promote socialization. Despite notifying the restaurant about the group’s visit, Cracker Barrel staff allegedly refused to serve them.
According to an email from CCPS special education teacher Katie Schneider, the restaurant’s general manager informed staff that they “cannot accommodate” the group and suggested removing the location from the approved list for such outings.
Although the students were allowed to place carryout orders, Schneider reported that servers were “blatantly rude” and ignored both staff and students. She stated, “Refusing to serve them, they did not even ask if our students wanted a drink or anything.”
The students, described as well-behaved, waited patiently for nearly an hour before being asked to move outside to their school bus. They ultimately ate their lunch back at the elementary school.
Read also:
- Autumn Brockman’s “ARock” Empowers the Beauty Industry
- Miss Universe Guyana organization appoints new Assistant Director Ivonn Novikova
- Diana Richardson helps others create a Legacy of their own in the beauty Industry
- Live the Life of Your Dreams: The Journey of Alita Rozhanska
- Art Lewin, through Artistic Excellence in Fashion, ‘wins’ in the Clothing Niche
Parent Reactions
Stacey Campbell, whose 9-year-old autistic son JoJo participated in the outing, expressed her anger, stating, “I saw red” after reading Schneider’s email.
JoJo is part of the district’s ACHIEVE program, which serves students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Dustin Reed, whose 7-year-old daughter Madelynn participated in the trip, organized a protest for December 15 at the Waldorf Cracker Barrel. Reed emphasized the importance of inclusion, saying, “Just because some children have different abilities doesn’t make them less than anyone else.”
Cracker Barrel’s Response
In a statement to USA TODAY, Cracker Barrel attributed the incident to a “staffing challenge” that led to the closure of part of their dining area, which was confusing. The company apologized, stating, “We strive to create a welcoming environment for all our guests…
We are working directly with the group’s leadership to better understand what happened, extend our apologies, and make things right.”
Protest Planned to Raise Awareness
The incident has ignited significant online backlash, with screenshots of Schneider’s email gaining attention in social media groups. Parents hope the upcoming protest will highlight the importance of treating children with disabilities equally and respectfully.
This incident underscores the ongoing need for awareness and advocacy for the rights of individuals with disabilities to access public spaces without discrimination.
