Re: Walgreens and Disability Friendly Service

June 11, 2011

A couple of years ago, Angel and I were at the Culver's, on Ogden in Downers

Grove. Angel loves going to Culver's and I have found out of all of the

national fast food chains, Culver's, has the best employees.

Anyway, while I was bringing Angel to find a table, she spotted a couple and it

looked like she was going to go for their french fries (it wouldn't be the first

time for her to do this). I quickly redirected her, but Angel went into

meltdown mode. An employee (can't remember her name, but I did email Culver's

with her name) came up to me and offered assistance. I explained the cause of

Angel's meltdown and she went and got Angel some fries! She also came back a

couple of times to see if we needed anything.

Another time, at this same Culver's, Angel had a meltdown right after I paid, so

I redirected her to the car. I turned around to see that an employee had

followed me to our car with our order and she asked what type of beverages we

wanted.

This Culver's has donated to SEASPAR in the past and I've noticed that special

ed teachers do bring their classes their for lunch.

>

> By now most all of us are familiar with JJsList.com and the good work they do

spreading the word about businesses providin good 'disability aware' customer

service. Several months ago I'd posted a review on JJsList about our local

Walgreens store, one employee in particular there who treats like any one

of us would expect/appreciate being treated when we're good loyal customers.

The employee's name is and she's just an awesome individual.

>

> After seeing her the other day and thinking, again, what a great role model

this woman is for other employees, I thought 'what else could I do to help

recognize her?'. I'd never mentioned the JJs list thing to her. Tried to find

the store manager to tell him about it, but couldn't find the guy. So I

went home and emailed the company -- corporate office -- to a person I'm aware

of there who consults with the company on disability matters. Shared with

corporate what a find they have in . Didn't think anything would come of

it & didn't hear back from corporate either. That was 3 days ago.

>

> Today I'm in Walgreens again. comes out from behind the cashier

position, gives me a great big hug, huge smiles on her face, thank you thank you

thank you. What happened? Somehow the corporate giant which is Walgreens

managed to get to the store manager, who got to come to the phone, she

was read the email and a message from Corporate about how proud they were of

her, she got (she said) a gold star pin and a certificate!! Apparently the

rest of the store employees were impressed because this will go into Ev's

employment file, too. Nice, huh?

>

> Not sure exactly what lessons we can learn from this, but suspect there are

several. I'll definitely keep trying to get recognition for those businesses

and their employees who go above and beyond for us and our loved ones. Anyone

else have stories or examples of things that have worked?

>

> Pls share if you do.

>

> Laurie

>

June 12, 2011

I had a similar experience with Walgreens a couple years ago--a pharmacy

assistant was very kind and QUICK. It is very easy to document customer care for

employees at large companies when they have a website with a " customer care " or

other way to get an email message to the right people. Finding a manager or

waiting around for the owner would take more time. Good way not only to reward

good service but also to document that people with disabilities spend money in

their store/community.