I’ve been getting a rash of new comments on the Steak ‘n Shake incident at my old blog site. All of the recent messages have the same comment: Deaf and hard of hearing people are not welcomed at the drive-thru. Go inside!
Here are some of the messages that were left:
- Karen,
I do regret that this situation happened to you. There have been many misjudgements of character here in my branch of service also. I have encountered many unsuccessful people in the food industry. I personally apologize for anything that was done for you and hope that our company does everything that you hope to get from them. I hope that you will find heart and be able to visit Steak and Shake in the future. Maybe just avoid the one with the bad management?- 8:13 AM
- I’m Hearing Impaired Too, but my
take is a little different than yours.The last thing I want is special
treatment, law or no law.
I would park the car and walk in
and give my order.
Because you had no problem communicating at the window , he saw no reason why you couldn’t do
it over the speaker and neither
can I.- 7:04 PM
- Karen,
I feel for your situation and of course this could have and should have been handled more appropriately.I would like to point out that you spoke several times about the ADA and reasonable accomadation. You even threatened the associate with this.I have nothing against folks with disabilities and even agree that certain accomadations need to be made but consider this.Would it have not been reasonable for you to just go inside to order? There is nothing wrong with trying to meet these challenges of communication half away but for some reason you make it sound as if going inside to place the order was unreasonable and out of the question.The whole thing sounds silly for both sides. I wish you the best!- 9:48 PM
- GET OUT OF THE CAR AND GO INSIDE
- 12:11 PM
next time just go in and order.
Have we gone back to the days of separate water fountains, where certain people were allowed to drink out of THOSE water fountains and other people were regulated to another one? Those comments reveal the same attitudes, that drive-thrus are reserved for a special class of people. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, you get your little fanny out of the car and walk inside. No drive-thru service for you.
Not only do we have to fight for physical access at the drive-thru, we have to deal with attitude barriers as well.
And by the way, Anonymous, it’s not called “special” treatment. It’s called equal treatment.