A group of students with disabilities from Charles County Public Schools in Maryland were refused service at a Cracker Barrel restaurant during a field trip meant to teach life skills. The group was seated in a closed section at the back of the restaurant and allegedly ignored by staff, who later told them that the establishment does not accommodate their type of group. The incident has sparked community outcry and plans for a protest, with parents expressing disappointment and anger over the mistreatment of the students. Cracker Barrel issued an apology, attributing the refusal of service to staffing issues and miscommunication, and expressed a desire to work with the community to do better in the future. However, parents feel that their children’s civil rights were ignored and are unsatisfied with the apology, feeling that the damage has been done. A protest at the Cracker Barrel location where the incident occurred is being planned, with many expressing support for the students and their teachers. Cracker Barrel has stated that the group is always welcome to dine with them and they are committed to making things right and earning back trust and confidence.
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