The company's vehicles only drive-thru policy is discriminatory against those with disabilities, according to a new lawsuit.Video provided by Newsy Newslook
A blind Louisiana man is suing McDonald’s because he says the fast food chain’s late-night drive-thru policy discriminates against people who are visually impaired.
According to court documents, Scott Magee of Metairie, La., was laughed at and refused service when he tried to order food from the drive-thru window during McDonald’s “late-night” hours in August of 2015.
Magee said he felt "ashamed" following the incident, and noted that it was not the first time the chain denied him service.
During the “late-night” hours, many McDonald's locations close the main dining rooms and only serve food through the drive-thru windows. According to the suit, McDonald's policy not to serve pedestrians through the drive-thru window, denies service to those who are unable to drive.
In the court documents, which were filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Magee notes that the drive-thru windows "lack any meaningful accommodation for the blind.”
“Because McDonald’s does not permit pedestrians to order from its drive-thru windows, the blind are totally precluded from accessing the defendant’s products during late night hours,” according to the court document.
The court documents allege that the restaurants are violating basic equal access requirements under federal law.
The lawyer involved in the case, Roberto Luis Costales, told the Chicago Tribune, the issue could easily be resolved by McDonald's allowing blind customers to call and order food, which would be brought out to them by staff.
McDonald’s told the Associated Press it will not comment on pending litigation.
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