Cracker Barrel got hit with a settlement after Maryland civil rights people looked into what went down when some elementary school kids with autism visited a location in Waldorf. Teachers said the students got treated badly and had to wait around because of their disabilities, which kicked off an investigation by state officials and the attorney general's office. The company said they didn't do anything wrong and denied turning anyone away or being discriminatory.
The deal forces Cracker Barrel to pay out around $75,000, toss $17,500 toward school programs, cover what the original trip cost, and drop another $9,000 into Maryland's civil rights fund. The restaurant chain never admitted to breaking any laws, but the state's civil rights boss made it clear that treating disabled people with respect isn't up for debate.
The deal forces Cracker Barrel to pay out around $75,000, toss $17,500 toward school programs, cover what the original trip cost, and drop another $9,000 into Maryland's civil rights fund. The restaurant chain never admitted to breaking any laws, but the state's civil rights boss made it clear that treating disabled people with respect isn't up for debate.
