On Dec. 8, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (“MCCR”) along with the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland (“OAG”) announce the resolution of a matter that strikes at the heart of who we are — and who we must continue striving to be — as a state committed to equity, dignity and the full humanity of all people. This agreement, achieved through a strong and united partnership between the MCCR and the OAG’s Civil Rights Division, is more than a legal resolution; it is a moral affirmation that Maryland will never allow the dignity of our children — especially children with disabilities — to be diminished, dismissed or disregarded.
When a group of students with autism and their teachers walked into a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Waldorf, they were not simply visiting a place of public accommodation; they were exercising their fundamental right to be fully included in the world around them. And when their experience raised serious concerns of differential treatment rooted in disability, MCCR and the OAG moved swiftly and collaboratively, launching a joint investigation grounded in our shared duty to uphold Maryland’s civil rights laws. Because in Maryland, when discrimination threatens even one child, it is a threat to us all.
Statement from MCCR Executive Director Cleveland L. Horton II
“This settlement underscores a truth we hold as non-negotiable: inclusion is not optional, and dignity is not discretionary. The outcome we reached today — strengthened policies, improved training, monetary redress for the affected students and schools and a formal written apology — was made possible because two state agencies stood shoulder to shoulder in pursuit of justice. Our partnership with the Office of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division ensured a thorough, rigorous and principled process that honored both the letter and the spirit of the law.”
“But let me be clear: our work does not end with the signing of this agreement. This moment must propel us forward with renewed determination. We cannot become complacent in the belief that progress is inevitable. Progress is a choice, a collective one, and it requires courage, vigilance and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Together with the Office of the Attorney General, the Commission will continue to stand unwavering in that commitment.”…