Dunkin' Donuts Won't Let Man In Wheelchair Use Drive-Thru

[matcom]

<snip>

A wheelchair-bound Weymouth man suffering from multiple sclerosis says he’s being denied his right to a hot cup of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.

Donald Hayes said he’s bought coffee before by driving his motorized wheelchair up to the drive-up window at a Dunkin’ Donuts shop in the middle of a Weymouth shopping-market parking lot.

But now, that Dunkin’ store, which has no inside seating and only serves drive-up customers, has told him he can’t use the window anymore and refused him service, citing traffic safety concerns.

“It’s discrimination,” said Hayes, 54, who says he’s an ordained minister with an online following.

Hayes said he’s thinking of taking legal action if he can’t whirl up to the window to get his java.

“I’m just defending my rights,” Hayes said. “I’m not looking for monetary compensation.”

A Boston lawyer who specializes in employment and discrimination law said Dunkin’ Donuts better listen to him, based on case law.

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=176095

[Lowell]

1. This guy should be careful what he wishes for

We had an incident here last year where a person in a motorized wheelchair was sited for DUI.

On the other hand I can understand the safety concerns. We have many people in these motorized chairs that ride them right down the middle of the street. I've come close to running them down a couple times. They have no lights, flags or other means of alerting drivers of their existance until they are right on top of them.