[humanser] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's

Mon Jul 14 15:41:01 UTC 2014

This seems like a tough situation. I don't use a guide dog, but I would be
angry, too, if I walked into a restaurant and they told me no dogs are
allowed. I completely understand the frustration and outrage about being
discriminated against this way. I definitely don't know for sure because I
wasn't there, but I wonder if the employee said the manager doesn't speak
English because they got scared they'd get in trouble when you asked to
speak to the manager, so they lied. They all looked scared and genuinely
apologetic, especially the kid who first said no dogs were allowed, though
I'm not excusing their actions. McDonald's is known for treating their
employees badly, which includes limited training about important issues such
as what to do if a service dog comes in. There are very limited job
opportunities for people who do not speak English as their first language,
so they're forced to be in low-paying, high stress jobs like McDonald's
where they are not made aware of the U.S. laws and culture. I think
McDonald's as a corporation needs to invest in properly training their
employees. In my opinion, that's where the fault lies. 

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Denise
Shaible via humanser
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2014 5:00 PM
To: 'Merry Schoch'; 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [humanser] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's

Merry,

I remember a long time ago that there was a man in Ft. Lauderdale who had
similar treatment at McDonald's and sued them.  I don't know if you remember
this or not.

I'm really shocked by this treatment but, it just goes to show you that no
matter how much work is done to educate the public about dog guides, there
are those who just don't want to be educated.  I got this from the fact that
the Manager stated that she didn't speak English well so she wouldn't have
to listen to your education.  Please send the link to the video so I can
listen to tit.  I applaud all that Marion and you do for dog guide users and
if you got angry, so what?  Having been a dog guide user in the past, I
understand how frustrating it can be to go to restaurants.  I think anyone
who criticizes you should think about how they would handle a situation of
such blatant discrimination.

Regards,

Denise

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Merry
Schoch via humanser
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2014 8:31 AM
To: 'Dr. Chappell'; 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [humanser] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's

Well before everyone views the video I will give a brief description of what
happened before the video was taken.

Marion and I walked into our local McDonalds- we have been in this
restaurant hundreds of times.  I have lived in this area off and on since
1988 and permanent residence since 1997.  This area is great for pedestrians
because it has  some stores and restaurants within walking distance -
perfect for our lifestyle.  
Continuing on...
We stood together in the lobby waiting for an available cashier for a few
minutes.  When we approached the counter a  young man came from the back of
the restaurant and stated that the manager said no dogs allowed. We shared
these were service dogs and the cashier stated it as well.  I then asked to
speak with his manager, he replied that his manager did not speak English.
I was actually dumbfounded by this.  Ordered our food and got our drinks and
sat down to eat.

As we ate we discussed with each other that we needed to educate the manager
before we left and video this interaction.  We were going to ask for a
translater.  We video recorded  an introduction before moving towards the
counter area.  As we began to move toward the counter area the manager
approached us.

Now some thoughts before we spoke to her.  Yes our neighborhood has a great
deal of Hispanic speaking individuals, our local Latin American Grocery
store has the best and cheapest Cuban sandwiches. Back to topic:  As we
discussed over our meal although there is a great deal of Hispanic speaking
individuals in our neighborhood there is more of  a percentage of English
speaking people.  It did not make sense to us that McDonalds would put a
manager in a restaurant that does not speak English well.  The video will
show that the manager still claims she speaks little English.  After the
recording, our cashier was in the lobby taking a break and I asked her if
the manager spoke English she stated she did.  Unfortunately, as the video
will demonstrate that the manager took no responsibility for her employees
actions and basically threw them under the bus.

We have worked in the past with this McDonalds to do local events and have
contacted an authority within the Corporation.  I am sure we will hear from
him on Monday.  He can view the video as well.

I was a restaurant manager in 1984 and if something liked this occurred in
my store; I would have been at my customer's table while eating, took their
receipt, reimbursed them their money, gave them tickets for free meals on
their next visit,and  I would have told them my employees were wrong in
their behavior and I would train them appropriately.  This manager did none
of these things and only appeared to have her employees do her dirty work
and then be deceitful in the area of communicating with us.  Apologies are
not well received when they don't appear genuine!

This was not so brief but that is my perspective of the situation.

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dr.
Chappell via humanser
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2014 11:00 AM
To: 'Marion Gwizdala'; 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [humanser] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's

Marion,
Thanks. I want to see what happened and get the overall gist. 

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marion
Gwizdala via humanser
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2014 10:52 AM
To: 'Danielle Antoine'; 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [humanser] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's

Dear All,
	I am not as tech savvy as some others, so I am getting a better link
to this video so others may view it. I will send it out again soon.

Marion

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle
Antoine via humanser
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2014 12:35 AM
To: Dr. Chappell; Human Services Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's

I couldn't view as well. I don't have a Drop Box account so does that
matter?

On 7/11/14, Dr. Chappell via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Tried to view the video but I was unsuccessful. Could someone please 
> tell me about it...
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Marion Gwizdala via humanser
> Sent: Friday, July 11, 2014 10:59 PM
> To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'; 'NFB of Florida Internet 
> Mailing List'
> Subject: [humanser] Confronting Discrimination at McDonald's
>
> Dear All,
>
>                 Here is a link to a video of my wife, Merry Schoch, 
> President of the NFB's Human Services Division and Vice President of 
> the Florida Association of Guide Dog Users (FLAGDU) confronting 
> discrimination at our local McDonald's!
>
>
>
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/xy8c6iqmjp8bglv/2014-07-11%2019.43.18.mov
>
>
>
> Fraternally yours,
>
>
>
> Marion Gwizdala, President
>
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
>
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> (813) 626-2789
>
> (888) 624-3841 (Hotline)
>
> President at nagdu.org
>
> http://www.nagdu.org
>
>
>
> High expectations create unlimited potential for the blind!
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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