Parents in Alma are trying to explain to their children with special needs why they are no longer allowed to go back to work. A Biggby franchise owner allegedly removed 12 special needs student workers from their premises in the middle of the students' shift.
The Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District’s Moderately Cognitively Impaired Class (RESD) has a program that allows students with special needs to work for a business. The students work for about an hour a week on tasks the businesses assign. The participants of the program are paid by the RESD and not the businesses themselves. It allows students with disabilities to prepare for work in the future.
Katie Dixon is a non-verbal, autistic student who is in the program. Katie loved her job at Biggby, where she was able to take inventory for the store. While Katie's group was working, they were asked to leave the Biggby— for good.
Katie's mother, Sheryle Dixon, is angry about the situation.
She said, "The kids went there, and Biggy told them they couldn’t be there anymore. There was no reason why."
Sheryle doesn't know what to tell Katie about what happened to her job. She believes this was an act of ableism. However, Sheryle said the community stepped up with support. Numerous local businesses offered to partner with the RESD program.
She said, "Katie loved being at Biggby...All of these kids don't know the amazing support that came after this...Businesses are asking if they can have the kids work with them. So, this is an amazing, good thing that happened. The only problem is these kids don't know why. They just know they can't go to Biggby anymore."
Sheryle decided to take action into her own hands. She sent an email to the CEO of Biggby that explained what took place at the Alma location.
John and Erin Ftizgerald have owned the Alma Biggby since June. They decided to end the relationship after their business moved locations. They haven't respond to calls, but they post a statement on social media about the situation.
They wrote, "As the owners of BIGGBY COFFEE Alma we are confused and saddened at the recent stories on social media, and we truly regret any misunderstandings we may have contributed to regarding our support of GIRESD specifically, and individuals with disabilities generally. As many of you know, we took over management of the Alma BIGGBY COFFEE this past June and have enjoyed serving and supporting the community, including hosting an opening fundraiser to raise money for the Alma Child Advocacy Program. What many of you might not know, is that we were also excited to continue the collaboration with the Program and welcomed the students to continue volunteering at the Alma BIGGBY COFFEE from June through January of 2023. About two weeks ago, due to our move to the new location and in order to confirm adequate insurance should any members of the program get injured while at the store, I left a message with Maureen and requested that we put a temporary hold on the program during the transition to the new space and given the pending insurance issue confirmation. We look forward to exploring how we can collaborate and support individuals with disabilities at BIGGBY COFFEE in the future. We will not be providing additional responses to specific allegations, but wanted to at least address the issue and clarify our position."
