Starbucks’ Straw Ban questioned by disability rights groups

Starbucks’ straw ban questioned by disability rights groups

Co written with Aleah G.

Tylia’s point of view :

I’m a huge fan of Starbucks and I love to go there often and get a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and sometimes the Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino. Although I’m a huge fan of the Starbucks Franchise, I’m extremely disappointed in their decisions to ban plastic straws.

As a young woman with cerebral palsy, I am not able to use a normal cup because of my motor skills and issues that arise from my anxiety and fear of dropping a cup and slipping it all over the place.

I really enjoyed the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. Every time I drink it, it just gives me inspiration when it comes to my writing stage. I understand Starbucks’ point of view to make the world world more environmental but where does that leave people with disabilities such as Aleah and I who have cerebral palsy? In my opinion, banning plastic straws form Franchises such as Starbucks will cause them to lose business if they go through with this because It will be hard for people with disabilities to enjoy a cup of coffee Then there’s the other option of using paper instead of plastic for straws, but once the straw gets wet it’s annoying to have to deal with it and you couldn’t enjoy the drink.

I know that feeling first hand because I got a paper straw before to drink a coke and it was a bad experience. Once the straw got wet, I was left with just a gross feeling in my mouth and it tasted like crap! In all seriousness, plastic straws are my lifesaver. Having them eases my anxiety when I forget my pago cups at home. When I go places so it’s a need for me, not something I want like some able-bodied think. I hope you enjoyed my point of view.

Aleah’s point of view:

Although I understand Starbucks’ decision to ban straws from an environmental point of view, there are many of us with disabilities who may find it very difficult to enjoy various beverages without the aid of a straw.

I myself am a big fan of the caramel frappuccino that Starbucks offers. I just love the way the carmel sauce dances on my tongue and mixed with a sufficient amount of caffeine, the frappuccino gives me an added boost of energy to tackle the day- which is needed as I have cerebral palsy and those with my physical disability must use double the energy there able bodied counterparts just to perform daily tasks such as going to the store or getting around in general.

However, if Starbucks decides to ban plastic straws, not only will they lose out on paying customers who depend on these straws to consume the many awesome beverages that Starbucks has to offer, but they will also leave these customers with no choice but to walk away from the products they once thoroughly enjoyed because it will become very hard for them to drink without there trusty straw. Does that seem fair?

In my opinion, there are a lot of things that able bodied people may take for granted like simple day to day movements such as walking or drinking without having to use a straw, but I must ask that they try to put themselves in the shoes of someone with a physical disability.

Imagine having to think about each step you take or how to raise a frappuccino cup to your lips when your hands are unable to steady themselves and you must risk spilling your probably overpriced beverage all over your favourite outfit, all because you are not given a straw.

Does that seem fair?

It may be ethical to ban straws for environmental reasons, but it it certainly not ethical to rob people with disabilities of the comfort, confidence and freedom that plastic straw provides them.

Straws may be small, but they are mighty.