KFC incident with deaf woman at Jackson restaurant leads to sensitivity training

Published 5:14 pm Thursday, August 9, 2018

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The management company of 270 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell franchises nationwide has agreed to provide sensitivity training at those outlets following a May incident at a KFC in Mississippi in which a deaf woman felt she was being mocked.

Byram resident Bobbie Cole, who is deaf but can read lips, said she was made fun of by KFC employees while trying to order food at a Jackson area drive-thru. FMI spokesman Tyler Langdon said in an email to the newspaper that sensitivity training will be conducted at its restaurants.

Disability Rights Mississippi, a nonprofit corporation that advocates for people with disabilities, said it reached an agreement on behalf of  Cole with Canada-based Franchise Management Inc. That company operates the fast-food franchises.

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