Parents plan Cracker Barrel protest after restaurant ‘refused service’ to special needs students

Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A protest is being planned at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Maryland after staff allegedly refused to serve a group of students with developmental disabilities. The outing, which comprised 11 students and seven education staff members, was a part of Dr James Craik Elementary School’s community-based instruction program that allows students to practice practical skills and socialize in public. As a mom with an adult child with developmental disabilities, this situation has me so angry,” another attendee wrote in the comments According to an email to parents sent by Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Navarro and special education teacher Katie Schneider, the restaurant’s staff members refused to serve the children and even asked that the they be removed from a list of businesses willing to participate in the school’s program. Cracker Barrel quickly apologized in a statement as a representative claimed there was an “unexpected staffing issue” at that location and part of their dining area had to be closed.