A group of 16 deaf individuals have filled a lawsuit against Starbucks, claiming they were discriminated against by workers at two New York City area locations, Courthouse News reported.
In the report, individuals referred to incidents where employees allegedly refused to serve the deaf patrons, mocked the way they spoke and attempted to eject them from the premises, according to the Huffington Post.
Plaintiff Alan Roth claimed that a Starbucks employee at a Manhattan store, repeatedly laughed at him when he tried to place an order on August of 2012. The employee told Roth he sounded funny.
According to the report, Roth was humiliated and shocked. He then asked the employee if she had a problem with him being deaf.
The employee allegedly "then proceeded to go around the counter and started screaming obscenities in plaintiff's face and was then pulled away by another Starbucks staff" a court document acquired by the Huffington Post read. According to the document, the Starbucks staff allegedly told Roth to leave and never return.
Eric Baum, the lawyer for the group behind the lawsuit, said these incidents happen often and sometimes more than people might think.
"It's a sad reality that even in 2013, deaf individuals experience discrimination on a routine basis," he said. "It's happening right under your nose."
Baum, who works for Eisenberg and Baum, a firm that handles a large number of cases against deaf and particularly deaf individuals, said his client is seeking changes within Starbuck's corporate culture.
He's asking Starbucks to create policies and training to help employees serve deaf patrons. The training would also include sensitivity training. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are also seeking an unspecified amount in punitive damages
"We are seeking that all customers be treated equally, " Baum said.
A Starbucks representative told the Huffington Post that she could not comment on the specifics of case, but said "Starbucks is still looking into the claims."
